Developers want an open-source, BYOK agent in VS Code with explicit approval of every file edit and terminal command. This guide maps your config files, walks a 4-step migration checklist and prices the seat delta for a 10-dev team.
01Migration brief
Developers want an open-source, BYOK agent in VS Code with explicit approval of every file edit and terminal command. Shifts from a fixed $10/mo seat to pay-as-you-go API tokens.
GitHub Copilot
GitHub $10 per month · FreemiumGitHub Copilot is an AI-powered coding assistant that provides real-time code completions, chat assistance, and agentic workflows directly within integrated development environments and the GitHub platform. It leverages advanced generative AI models to help developers write code, refactor, generate documentation, and automate pull request workflows.
Cline
Cline Free free to use · FreemiumCline is an open-source, agentic coding assistant that integrates into editors, terminal, and desktop environments to read files, run terminal commands, and perform complex coding tasks. It operates with a human-in-the-loop, requiring explicit approval for file edits and terminal commands to ensure user control.
02Rules & cost
Convert GitHub Copilot rules to the Cline format, then review the output before committing.
Shifts from a fixed $10/mo seat to pay-as-you-go API tokens.
034-step checklist
- 01
Audit & export your GitHub Copilot rulesGitHub Copilot reads repo-level rules from .github/copilot-instructions.md. Convert them to .clinerules with the Rules Converter, then review the output before committing. Open →
- 02
Install & configure ClineDownload Cline from the official site. Pricing: Freemium. Open ↗
- 03
Adapt your daily workflow (IDE Plugins → IDE Plugins)You stay in your editor with a different plugin — mostly new keybindings, approval flow and pricing model. Cline is best for developers needing a true coding agent that can handle complex, multi-file refactoring, execute terminal commands, and follow project-specific coding rules defined in.clinerules.
- 04
Run a one-week parallel pilot, then reallocate seatsShifts from a fixed $10/mo seat to pay-as-you-go API tokens. Keep GitHub Copilot active for one sprint while Cline handles new tasks; cancel seats only after velocity holds. Open →
04Trade-offs
What you gain
- Cline is best for developers needing a true coding agent that can handle complex, multi-file refactoring, execute terminal commands, and follow project-specific coding rules defined in.clinerules.
- Plan and Act modes for strategy alignment and autonomous execution.
- Multi-file codebase awareness and refactoring.
- Support for wide-ranging AI providers including Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and local models.
What you give up
- GitHub Copilot is positioned for developers seeking to accelerate their coding workflow, automate routine tasks like commit messages and PR reviews, and leverage agent-driven development to handle complex multi-file changes. — confirm Cline covers that before cancelling seats.
- Cline is not ideal for users seeking simple code autocompletion tools, as Cline is designed as an agentic partner for complex tasks rather than a lightweight syntax-suggestion engine.
Running both together: Running both is mostly redundant — pilot Cline on one repo for a sprint, then pick one.
05Spec sheet
| GitHub Copilot | Cline | |
|---|---|---|
| Company | GitHub | Cline |
| Category | IDE Extensions & Plugins | IDE Extensions & Plugins |
| Pricing | Freemium Offers a free tier with limited functionality for individual developers. Paid individual plans include Copilot Pro ($10/mo), Pro+ ($39/mo), and Max ($100/mo). Organizational plans include Copilot Business ($19 per user/mo) and Enterprise ($39 per user/mo), with additional usage billed via AI credits at $0.01 per credit. | Freemium The open-source extension is free for individual developers, with usage-based billing for AI inference. Users can bring their own API keys or use Cline's built-in billing. ClinePass is available as a flat $9.99/month subscription for higher usage rates on open-coding models, and an Enterprise tier exists for organizations needing SSO, audit logs, and team management. |
| Entry paid plan | Copilot Pro ($10/mo) | — |
| Rules file | .github/copilot-instructions.md | .clinerules |
| Key features |
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06FAQ
How do I convert my GitHub Copilot rules to Cline?+
GitHub Copilot reads .github/copilot-instructions.md and Cline reads .clinerules. Run them through the Rules Converter (https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/rules-converter?from=copilot&to=clinerules) and review the output before committing.
Is Cline cheaper than GitHub Copilot?+
GitHub Copilot starts at Copilot Pro ($10/mo); Cline has no listed per-seat plan. Shifts from a fixed $10/mo seat to pay-as-you-go API tokens.
What do I lose when switching from GitHub Copilot to Cline?+
GitHub Copilot is positioned for developers seeking to accelerate their coding workflow, automate routine tasks like commit messages and PR reviews, and leverage agent-driven development to handle complex multi-file changes. — confirm Cline covers that before cancelling seats. Cline is not ideal for users seeking simple code autocompletion tools, as Cline is designed as an agentic partner for complex tasks rather than a lightweight syntax-suggestion engine.
Can I use GitHub Copilot and Cline together?+
Running both is mostly redundant — pilot Cline on one repo for a sprint, then pick one.