OpenHands
Open-source software-engineering agent (formerly OpenDevin) that writes code, runs commands, and browses — self-hosted for free or via a managed cloud.
An open-source software-engineering agent for teams that want an agent to write code, run commands, and browse while retaining a self-hosted option.
Independent analysis based on official public sources (pricing pages, documentation, release notes) — not a sponsored review or a hands-on test.
Overview
Open-source software-engineering agent (formerly OpenDevin) that writes code, runs commands, and browses — self-hosted for free or via a managed cloud.
OpenHands is free to use.
OpenHands is one of 41 AI Coding tools tracked on ToolScanner. You can compare it side by side with alternatives, check verified monthly-billing prices, and add it to your AI stack to see what your whole setup costs.
OpenHands key features in practice
Open-source software-engineering agent
OpenHands is presented as an open-source agent focused on software-engineering work.
Code writing
The agent is designed to write code.
Command execution
OpenHands can run commands as part of its workflow.
Browsing
The product includes browsing capability for agent tasks.
Self-hosted or managed deployment
It can be self-hosted for free or accessed through a managed cloud offering.
Who is OpenHands for?
Developers who need deployment control
OpenHands can be self-hosted for free, making it a strong fit when running the agent in your own environment matters more than a purely managed workflow.
Engineering teams evaluating agentic implementation work
Its stated workflow spans code writing, command execution, and browsing, rather than limiting the agent to code completion alone.
Open-source-first adopters
OpenHands is positioned as an open-source software-engineering agent, with a managed cloud option for those who do not want to self-host.
OpenHands pros and cons
Pros
- Self-hosting is a real option
OpenHands is available for free self-hosting, which gives technically capable teams an alternative to relying exclusively on a managed coding-agent service.
- Broad engineering-agent scope
The product is designed to write code, run commands, and browse, supporting workflows that may require investigation and execution as well as code generation.
- Managed cloud is available
Teams that prefer not to operate their own deployment can use OpenHands through its managed cloud offering.
Cons
- Self-hosting shifts operational responsibility to your team
The free route is self-hosted, so buyers should assess their ability to deploy, configure, govern, and maintain the environment before treating it as the lowest-effort option.
- Command execution deserves deliberate controls
An agent intended to run commands and browse should be evaluated with clear repository access, environment boundaries, and review practices.
- Cloud pricing needs a direct check
OpenHands offers managed cloud access, but buyers should consult the official pricing page for current cloud terms and any applicable usage details.
How people actually use OpenHands
Self-hosted engineering-agent evaluation
A team wants to assess an AI software-engineering agent within an environment it operates itself, rather than beginning with a managed-only product.
Implementation tasks that need investigation
A developer needs an agent that can combine browsing, command execution, and code changes as part of a software task.
Flexible adoption path
An organization wants the option to start with managed cloud access while preserving a self-hosted route for a different operating model.
Is OpenHands right for you?
Good choice if
- you want to start free — a real free plan is verified
Pricing
Our take on OpenHands pricing
OpenHands starts at $0 through free self-hosting.
Managed cloud access is available; check the official pricing page for current pricing and usage terms.
There is no free trial listed. The free option is the self-hosted offering, not a time-limited trial.
What the OpenHands free plan includes
Free self-hosting is available.
The published information here does not establish managed-cloud allowances or limits; confirm those details before planning a rollout.
Self-hosting may avoid a software subscription charge, but it does not remove the need to operate the deployment responsibly.
How OpenHands differs from other tools
OpenHands’ clearest distinction is deployment choice: it combines an open-source, free self-hosted route with a managed cloud option.
- vs Devin
For buyers prioritizing a zero-dollar starting route and control over where the agent runs, OpenHands’ free self-hosting option is the central reason to compare it with Devin, whose listed starting price is $20/month.
Similar AI tools
Other tools in the same category.
Open-source autonomous coding agent for VS Code that plans, edits across files, and runs commands using your own model keys.
Google's asynchronous coding agent: point it at a GitHub repo, and it plans, writes, and tests changes in a cloud VM while you do something else.
Best for async coding agent for GitHub repos
An autonomous AI software engineer that can plan and execute coding tasks.
AWS's agentic IDE built around spec-driven development: you define specs and hooks, and its agents implement and maintain the code.
Best for spec-driven agentic IDE
OpenAI's software engineering agent that works on tasks in parallel cloud sandboxes and in your terminal — included with ChatGPT paid plans.
Google's open-source terminal AI agent powered by Gemini, with a generous free tier for coding, shell tasks, and research from the command line.
Best for Gemini agent in the terminal
When to choose a OpenHands alternative
Prefer Jules when the work is specifically an asynchronous coding-agent workflow for GitHub repositories.
Prefer Kiro when your team wants a spec-driven agentic IDE workflow rather than centering the decision on self-hosting an engineering agent.
Prefer Gemini CLI when the primary requirement is a Gemini-based agent in the terminal.
Prefer Devin when its managed-agent approach is a better organizational fit and self-hosting is not a requirement.
Compare with alternatives
Tips for getting more out of OpenHands
- Start with tightly scoped tasks and require human review of proposed code changes and command effects.
- Decide in advance which repositories, credentials, network destinations, and execution environments the agent may access.
- Compare self-hosted operations against the managed-cloud option based on your team’s deployment and governance capacity, not only the entry price.
- Confirm current managed-cloud pricing and usage terms on the official pricing page before committing a team workflow.
Sources & verification
- Official homepageopenhands.devChecked 2026-09-20
- Official pricingopenhands.devChecked 2026-09-20
The factual claims above (pricing, plans, features, platforms, limits) were checked against these official sources on the dates shown. Vendors change plans at any time — always confirm on the official site before purchasing.
Frequently asked questions
Is OpenHands free?
OpenHands can be self-hosted for free. It also has a managed cloud offering; consult the official pricing page for current cloud pricing and terms.
What can OpenHands do during a software task?
OpenHands is described as an agent that writes code, runs commands, and browses.
Is OpenHands the same product as OpenDevin?
OpenHands was formerly named OpenDevin.
Who should choose self-hosted OpenHands?
It is best suited to teams that value control over the deployment environment and can take responsibility for operating and governing the agent setup.
Does OpenHands offer a free trial?
No free trial is listed. Its free path is self-hosting.
How much does OpenHands cost?
Yes — OpenHands is free to use.
What is OpenHands used for?
Open-source software-engineering agent (formerly OpenDevin) that writes code, runs commands, and browses — self-hosted for free or via a managed cloud. On ToolScanner, OpenHands is listed under AI Coding.
What are the best OpenHands alternatives?
Popular AI Coding alternatives include Roo Code, Jules, Devin, Kiro, OpenAI Codex. You can compare any of them with OpenHands side by side on ToolScanner.
Where can I check OpenHands's latest pricing?
On the official website — providers change prices and plans at any time, so always confirm there before purchasing. ToolScanner shows the monthly-billing price as of our last check (last verified 2026-07-28).