Comparison
Cline vs Roo Code
How the two compare on the things that decide whether your setup carries over: open standards, license, models and where they run.
| Cline | Roo Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Maker | Cline | Roo Code |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Models | See vendor docs | See vendor docs |
| Runs in | IDE, CLI | IDE |
| MCP | MCP: supported | MCP: supported |
| Agent Skills | ?Agent Skills: not yet verified | Agent Skills: supported |
| AGENTS.md | ?AGENTS.md: not yet verified | AGENTS.md: supported |
| ACP | ACP: supported | ?ACP: not yet verified |
Key differences
- Both are open source (Apache-2.0 and Apache-2.0), so you can inspect and self-host either.
- Cline also runs in CLI.
- Roo Code supports Agent Skills; we have not verified it for Cline.
- Roo Code supports AGENTS.md; we have not verified it for Cline.
- Cline supports ACP; we have not verified it for Roo Code.
- Both support MCP, so MCP servers, skills and repo instructions you set up carry over if you switch.
In their own words
FAQ
- Is Cline or Roo Code open source?
- Cline is open source under Apache-2.0. Roo Code is open source under Apache-2.0.
- Do Cline and Roo Code support MCP servers?
- Cline: yes. Roo Code: yes.
- Can I reuse Agent Skills between Cline and Roo Code?
- Only if both support the Agent Skills format. Check the table above.
Set up MCP servers in either one
More comparisons
Reviewed Oct 5, 2026.