Configuration Paths
SaaS Provider Configuration
Quick Setup via Web Console
✅ No infrastructure required✅ 5-10 minute configuration
✅ Web-based admin console
✅ Automatic updates
✅ Simplified credential managementBest for:
- Small to medium teams (5-50 developers)
- Quick deployment needs
- Limited DevOps resources
- Standard security requirements
- Single region deployments
Self-Hosted Configuration
Full Infrastructure Control
✅ Your own AWS/GCP/K8s✅ VPC endpoints & private connectivity
✅ Multi-account setups
✅ Advanced compliance & audit
✅ GitOps workflowsBest for:
- Large enterprises (50+ developers)
- Complex security requirements
- Existing cloud infrastructure
- Multi-region deployments
- Custom compliance needs
Detailed Comparison
Feature Comparison
| Feature | SaaS | Self-Hosted |
|---|---|---|
| Configuration | Web UI | YAML + Helm/Kubernetes |
| Infrastructure | None required | Full AWS/GCP/K8s |
| VPC Endpoints | Basic | Full private connectivity |
| Multi-Account | ❌ | ✅ |
| IAM | Standard RBAC roles | Standard RBAC roles |
| Compliance | Standard | Custom frameworks |
| GitOps | ❌ | ✅ |
| Maintenance | Managed by Cline | Self-managed |
| Updates | Automatic (extension) | Automatic (extension) + Infrastructure control |
Security & Compliance
| Capability | SaaS | Self-Hosted |
|---|---|---|
| Network Encryption | HTTPS/TLS | HTTPS/TLS |
| Network | Public internet | Private VPC endpoints |
| Access Control | Standard RBAC | Standard RBAC |
| Audit Logs | OpenTelemetry traces | OpenTelemetry traces + Infrastructure logs |
| Data Residency | Cline-managed deployment | Customer-controlled deployment |
Cost Structure
| Cost Category | SaaS | Self-Hosted |
|---|---|---|
| Cline Subscription | Fixed enterprise fee | Fixed enterprise fee |
| Inference Provider Costs | Usage-based | Usage-based |
| Infrastructure | ✅ None required | Kubernetes, networking, storage |
| Personnel | ✅ None required | DevOps team needed |
| Total Cost Profile | Predictable and simple | Variable based on scale |
Migration Path
Most organizations start with SaaS configuration for quick deployment, then migrate to self-hosted later as requirements grow. This minimizes risk and ensures your infrastructure meets actual usage patterns.
Getting Started
Need Help Deciding?
- Contact Cline Enterprise Sales for a consultation on your specific requirements
- Start with SaaS if unsure - it’s lower risk and you can always migrate later
- Review Self-Hosted Requirements if you have existing infrastructure that could benefit from self-hosted deployment