Cline vs OpenAI Codex CLI: pricing, features and which to choose

Cline is an open source coding agent from Cline Bot Inc. The project was created in July 2024 and is distributed through a VS Code extension, CLI, desktop app, JetBrains plugin, and SDK. Its GitHub repository lists the Apache License 2.0 and more than 70,000 stars. Cline’s July 2025 funding announcement says the company raised $32 million across seed and Series A rounds. The agent is built for developers who want to inspect code, edit files, run commands, and choose model providers. The same core supports editor work, terminal sessions, desktop use, and embedded applications. The client is free for individual developers, while AI inference can use Cline credits, ClinePass, or a developer’s own provider credentials.

Cline reads project files, writes code, runs terminal commands, uses a browser, and works with external tools. A typical task can begin in Plan mode, where the developer reviews an approach, then move to Act mode for implementation. The interface asks for approval before actions, while auto-approve can reduce interruptions. File edits appear as diffs, and checkpoints support undoing agent changes. Project rules in .clinerules files describe coding standards, architecture, testing, and deployment conventions. MCP servers add tools for databases, APIs, and infrastructure. Cline also supports plugins, skills, messaging connections, scheduled tasks, headless automation, and multi-agent workflows. The CLI supports interactive and headless operation, making the same agent available for local development, scripting, and CI work.

Cline still requires review of generated edits, shell commands, model output, checkpoints, and provider availability. Telemetry is enabled by default in the VS Code and JetBrains extensions, desktop app, and CLI, although users can turn it off. Requests made through Cline or ClinePass can include prompts and model responses in Cline’s handling of those providers, while requests using other providers go to those providers under their policies. Cursor is a closer commercial editor competitor, GitHub Copilot is closely tied to GitHub workflows, and Windsurf is another agentic coding product. Cline suits developers who want Apache-licensed code, provider choice, local runtimes, and explicit action approval. Teams wanting a managed editor subscription with bundled model access may prefer Cursor, Copilot, or Windsurf.

OpenAI Codex CLI is a terminal coding agent maintained by OpenAI. The current project launched in 2025, and its client is licensed under Apache 2.0. It runs on macOS, Linux, and Windows, with authentication through ChatGPT, an API key, or an access token. Codex is also available through OpenAI’s web, IDE, desktop, and mobile experiences, but the CLI is the direct option for developers who prefer a shell. OpenAI does not publish a separate Codex CLI user count, revenue figure, or valuation. The project is active, with installation and release paths documented through npm, Homebrew, OpenAI documentation, and GitHub. The software is open source, while hosted models and account services remain proprietary. It is designed for developers seeking repository work and automation from a command line.

A normal Codex CLI session begins in a project directory with a request such as fixing a failing test or adding a feature. Codex inspects relevant files, proposes or applies changes, runs commands, and reports results. Workspace-write sandboxing, approval prompts, additional directories, JSON output, and unattended execution options provide different levels of control. The reference also documents image attachments, web search, slash commands, usage views, and multi-agent tools. Developers can use interactive sessions for exploration or non-interactive execution in scripts and CI. The app server and plugin paths extend the client to other interfaces. Command approvals remain important because repository edits, package operations, and tests can have side effects. These controls support both hands-on development and automation-oriented workflows.

Codex CLI suits developers who want terminal control, Apache 2.0 client code, and explicit boundaries around commands and files. It is less suitable for teams seeking a standalone CLI subscription, a fully local default model, or unrestricted unattended execution. Claude Code is the closest account-based alternative, while Gemini CLI provides a Google-centered terminal agent. Aider emphasizes a lightweight terminal workflow across model providers, and Cline offers an editor-centered approach. Codex’s API path also lacks cloud features such as GitHub code review and Slack integration. Choose Codex CLI when OpenAI models, ChatGPT billing, or an open client matter most, and retain approval prompts for unfamiliar repositories. Its audience is mainly terminal-focused developers, teams using sandbox controls, CI operators, and developers wanting an Apache 2.0 client.