Cline vs Refact.ai
Which Agents AI tool is better in 2026?
Cline
Open-source autonomous AI coding agent for VS Code — bring your own model
Refact.ai
Self-hosted AI coding assistant — run on your own infra, own your data
Side-by-side
Cline is the more established option (raised $27M), but Refact.ai is cheaper to start.
| Metric | Cline | Refact.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | Open-source autonomous AI coding agent for VS Code — bring your own model | Self-hosted AI coding assistant — run on your own infra, own your data |
| Foundedi | 2024 | 2022🏆 |
| HQi | Remote, US | Amsterdam, NL |
| Employeesi | 1-10 | 11-50🏆 |
| Neuron scorei | 53 | 60🏆 |
| Total fundingi | $27M🏆 | Undisclosed |
| Latest roundi | Series A · Jul 2025 | Seed · Jan 2023 |
| Valuationi | $110M🏆 | — |
| Cheapest paid plani | Teams · $20/mo | Pro · $10/mo🏆 |
| Free plani | ✓ Free / Open Source | ✓ Free |
| Free triali | ✗ | ✗ |
| Top tier pricei | Teams · $20/mo | Pro · $10/mo |
| Pricing summaryi | 3 published plans | 3 published plans |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Cline and Refact.ai.
| Capability | Cline | Refact.ai |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✗ | ✗ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | — | 1 (Python) |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✗ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Cline
- Has raised more capital ($27M vs Undisclosed)
- Newer company (2024)
🔵 Strengths of Refact.ai
- Higher Neuron score (60 vs 53)
- More mature (2022)
Which should you choose?
Choose Refact.ai 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 Cline if you want the most established option — it has raised $27M, 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.
Frequently asked questions
Cline vs Refact.ai — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Cline has raised more capital and is the more established option; Refact.ai is cheaper to start. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Cline cheaper than Refact.ai?
No — Refact.ai's cheapest paid plan is Pro · $10/mo, while Cline's is Teams · $20/mo.
Do Cline and Refact.ai offer free plans?
Cline: Yes, has a free plan. Refact.ai: Yes, has a free plan.
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