Cline vs Cognition
Which Agents AI tool is better in 2026?
Cline
Open-source autonomous AI coding agent for VS Code — bring your own model
Cognition
Applied AI lab building Devin, the AI software engineer.
Side-by-side
Cognition is the more established option (raised $2.5B); pricing is comparable on both sides.
| Metric | Cline | Cognition |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | Open-source autonomous AI coding agent for VS Code — bring your own model | Applied AI lab building Devin, the AI software engineer. |
| Foundedi | 2024 | 2023🏆 |
| HQi | Remote, US | San Francisco, US |
| Employeesi | 1-10 | 11-50🏆 |
| Neuron scorei | 53 | 84🏆 |
| Total fundingi | $27M | $2.5B🏆 |
| Latest roundi | Series A · Jul 2025 | Series D · May 2026 |
| Valuationi | $110M | $26B🏆 |
| Cheapest paid plani | Teams · $20/mo | Pro · $20/mo |
| Free plani | ✓ Free / Open Source | ✓ Free |
| Free triali | ✗ | ✗ |
| Top tier pricei | Teams · $20/mo | Max · $200/mo |
| Pricing summaryi | 3 published plans | 5 published plans |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Cline and Cognition.
| Capability | Cline | Cognition |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✓ |
| Public API | ✗ | ✓ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✓ |
| SDK languages | — | — |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✗ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✓ |
🟢 Strengths of Cline
- Newer company (2024)
🔵 Strengths of Cognition
- Has raised more capital ($2.5B vs $27M)
- Higher Neuron score (84 vs 53)
- More mature (2023)
Which should you choose?
Choose Cline if price matters most — it starts at Free, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both AI Agents tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose Cognition if you want the most established option — it has raised $2.5B, suggesting more runway for enterprise features, support, and long-term roadmap. For mission-critical workflows or larger teams, that stability often outweighs a lower monthly price.
💸 Deals
Try Devin with starter credits
Cognition's Devin offers a starter pack of ACU credits on signup so you can test the autonomous engineer on real tasks.
Terms: Credit amount varies by program.
Frequently asked questions
Cline vs Cognition — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Cline is the leaner option; Cognition has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Cline cheaper than Cognition?
No — Cognition's cheapest paid plan is Pro · $20/mo, while Cline's is Teams · $20/mo.
Do Cline and Cognition offer free plans?
Cline: Yes, has a free plan. Cognition: Yes, has a free plan.
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