OpenHands
FreeOpen-source autonomous SWE platform; browser + shell + editor loop.
FreeFree tier
About OpenHands
OpenHands is an open-source community and platform focused on AI-driven development. It provides multiple interfaces for running agents and automations, including Agent Canvas (a browser-based UI and backend server), a fully managed OpenHands Cloud service with integrations to GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Slack, Jira, and Linear, an enterprise self-hosted Kubernetes option, a composable Python SDK for defining and scaling agents, and a legacy CLI and local GUI. Most components are MIT-licensed, and the platform supports evaluation, a Chrome extension, and a Theory-of-Mind module.
Key Features
Agent Canvas: browser-based UI and backend for running agents and automations
OpenHands Cloud: fully managed with deeper integrations (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Slack, Jira, Linear) and multi-user support
OpenHands Enterprise: self-host in your VPC via Kubernetes, source-available with license for extended use
OpenHands Software Agent SDK: composable Python library to define agents in code and scale from local to cloud
Legacy CLI and Local GUI: terminal interface and Docker-based UI with REST API
Chrome extension
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Open-source with MIT license (except enterprise directory)
- Multiple deployment options: local, cloud, and self-hosted enterprise
- Integrates with popular development and collaboration tools
- Scalable from a single local agent to thousands in the cloud
- Active community on Slack and open to contributions
Cons
- Enterprise features require a purchased license for use beyond one month
- Cloud version may have usage limits or costs for extended use
- Legacy GUI requires Docker, which may be a barrier for some users
- Documentation is AI-generated and may contain mistakes
Best For
Automating software engineering tasks through AI agentsRunning agents locally or in the cloud for development workflowsIntegrating AI-driven development into existing tools (GitHub, GitLab, Slack, Jira, Linear)Building custom agentic applications using the Python SDKEnterprise deployment with compliance and security requirements
FAQ
Is OpenHands open-source?
Most components are fully open-source under the MIT license, except the enterprise/ directory which has its own source-available license.
What deployment options are available?
You can run OpenHands locally via Agent Canvas or the Legacy GUI with Docker, use the fully managed OpenHands Cloud, or self-host with OpenHands Enterprise in your own VPC via Kubernetes.
Does OpenHands integrate with version control and project management tools?
Yes, OpenHands Cloud offers deeper integrations with GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Slack, Jira, and Linear.
Can I use OpenHands for free?
Yes, you can try OpenHands Cloud for free by signing in with your GitHub account. The open-source components are also free to use under the MIT license.
How can I get help or contribute?
Join the community on Slack (linked on the website) or open issues on the GitHub repository. The documentation is also available online.