Kilo Code
Open-source agent platform: 500+ models, parallel agents, one-click deploy.
Standout features
Kilo Code bundles the open-source agent ideas that came before it into one fast-moving, all-in-one platform.
Worldwide search interest, indexed 0–100 · Google Trends.
Kilo Code is an open-source AI coding agent that bundles the best ideas from Cline and Roo Code into one fast-shipping platform.
- Open source; installs as an extension in VS Code or JetBrains (plus a CLI).
- Forked from Roo Code (itself a fork of Cline), now its own thing.
- 1.5M+ users and climbing — among the most-used OSS agents.
- Co-founded by GitLab co-founder Sid Sijbrandij and Scott Breitenother.
Kilo’s pitch is access: every model, no markup, no lock-in.
- 500+ models at exact provider rates (zero markup) or BYO key.
- Orchestrator mode coordinates specialist Architect/Coder/Debugger agents.
- Parallel agents, managed indexing, AI code review and one-click deploy.
- Adds capability inside your existing IDE — no editor switch.
Free to install; you pay model providers directly (or buy bundled credits).
- $20 free credits on signup, then BYO key at provider rates.
- Kilo Pass bundles credits from ~$19/mo.
- The CLI is MIT-licensed and free.
Kilo suits power users who want breadth and openness.
- Developers who want any model with no markup or throttling.
- Teams that like Cline’s approach but want more features.
- People who want orchestrated multi-agent workflows.
- Anyone who wants a stable, minimal tool — Kilo is sprawling and fast-changing.
- Beginners who’d prefer a polished, opinionated editor.
No tool is perfect — the trade-offs to weigh:
- Young and buggy — fast iteration means rough edges.
- Feature sprawl across many surfaces from a small team.
- Context drift on long sessions.
- You manage keys and spend.
- ✓500+ models at zero markup — strong value
- ✓Orchestrator mode coordinates specialist sub-agents
- ✓Open source; runs in VS Code, JetBrains and a CLI
- ✓Ships features extremely fast (“Kilo Speed”)
- ✓Backed by GitLab’s co-founder + an $8M seed
- ✕Younger and buggier than Cline or Cursor
- ✕Feature sprawl across many surfaces
- ✕Can drift on long sessions
- ✕You manage your own keys and spend
Developers are drawn to Kilo’s zero-markup model access and the Orchestrator mode that splits work across specialist agents, and they credit its breakneck release pace. The flip side comes up just as often: it’s younger and buggier than Cline, can sprawl, and drifts on long sessions. Sentiment is enthusiastic among power users who want maximum flexibility.
Kilo Code is built by Kilo, a remote-first company co-founded by GitLab co-founder Sid Sijbrandij and Brooklyn Data’s Scott Breitenother.
Company figures are drawn from public disclosures and reputable trackers (gathered Jun 2026). User and revenue numbers are estimates and move fast.
Pick up to two other coding tools to see them head-to-head on the same rubric.