AI tool comparison
Claude Code vs Cline
A data-driven comparison of Claude Code (AI CLI Agent) and Cline (AI Coding Agent) — features, GitHub momentum, and which tool fits your workflow.
Claude Code
AI CLI Agent
Cline
AI Coding Agent
GitHub stats
GitHub stars
120.3K
61.3K
Stats sourced from the Rize AI tools weekly tracker. Updated 2026-05-04.
Feature comparison
Track your AI tool usage with Rize
Whether you code with Claude Code or Cline, Rize tracks your sessions automatically and shows time spent in each tool.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Claude Code and Cline?
Claude Code is a AI CLI Agent while Cline is a AI Coding Agent. Key differences include: Interface (Claude Code: Terminal / CLI, Cline: VS Code extension); Model support (Claude Code: Claude only, Cline: Any model via API); Pricing (Claude Code: API usage-based, Cline: Free (open source)).
Which is more popular, Claude Code or Cline?
As of this week, Claude Code has 120.3K GitHub stars and Cline has 61.3K stars. Check the live stats above for the latest momentum data.
Can Rize track time spent in Claude Code and Cline?
Yes. Rize automatically detects and tracks time spent in both Claude Code and Cline. It runs in the background and categorizes your AI tool usage by project and client — no manual timers needed.