---
title: "OpenHands Alternative: Self-Hosted Agent Workspace | intentic"
description: "Compare OpenHands vs intentic: pricing, local models, Docker sandboxes, self-hosting and team access. See OpenHands vs Claude Code and OpenCode in plain terms."
url: "https://intentic.dev/compare/openhands/"
updated: "2026-10-06"
---

[Comparisons](https://intentic.dev/compare/) Cloud coding agents · managed or self-hosted

# OpenHands alternatives: self-hosted agent workspaces compared

Compare OpenHands pricing, local models, Docker sandboxes and self-hosting. OpenHands ships its own agent and Agent Canvas, which also runs Claude Code and Codex.

OpenHands is an open-source coding agent with Agent Canvas, a self-hosted control centre for local, remote and cloud backends, plus OpenHands Cloud and an enterprise edition.

*OpenHands ·[www.openhands.dev](https://www.openhands.dev/)*

[Try intentic free](https://app.intentic.dev)[See how intentic works](https://intentic.dev/features/)

The short answer

Choose OpenHands for its own open agent on any LiteLLM model, including local ones, and for its ready-made automations and free cloud tier. Choose intentic for a sandbox with a git worktree per conversation, a review step before work lands, and team sharing in the free product.

OpenHands already runs Claude Code, Codex and Gemini, supports schedules and can keep working on a server. Compare isolation defaults, review and team access rather than a feature list.

## OpenHands vs intentic: at a glance

▸ marks OpenHands's strengths (3 rows)

Self-hosted control of several agents · Both run in the browser, can host Claude Code and Codex, start work from schedules or events and keep running on a server while your laptop is off. The code you self-host is MIT in both cases.

| Dimension | intentic | OpenHands |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Own agent | Runs third-party agents; no agent of its own | ▸Open OpenHands agent plus ACP agents |
| Models | Each agent's provider, on your own accounts | ▸Any LiteLLM model, including Ollama, LM Studio and vLLM |
| Isolation default | Docker sandbox plus a git worktree per conversation | Docker sandbox recommended; process mode has no container |
| Automations | Schedules, webhooks and service events | ▸Schedules, webhooks and prebuilt GitHub, Jira, Linear and Slack flows |
| Managed cloud | Optional hosted sandbox | OpenHands Cloud with a free Individual tier |
| Teams | Free shared workspaces with per-person access | SSO and role-based access in custom-priced Enterprise |

## The main differences

01

### Isolation is a setting in OpenHands

OpenHands recommends a Docker sandbox but also offers a process mode with no container, and its npm install gives the agent full filesystem access. Conversations that share a host folder share files. intentic runs agents in a Docker sandbox with a worktree per conversation.

02

### Pricing, cloud and enterprise

The open-source edition and the Individual cloud tier are free; Individual allows 10 conversations a day. Enterprise is custom-priced and adds SSO and a self-hosted cloud under a PolyForm licence that is not open source. intentic includes sharing in its free software.

03

### Remote access and team use

OpenHands documents phone access through Tailscale or ngrok, and its Kubernetes chart is unauthenticated and single-tenant. intentic connects browsers through a private tunnel, and the owner invites teammates by email, each signed in as themselves.

## When to choose OpenHands

Pick OpenHands if you want an open agent you can point at any model, including a local one, with ready-made automations for GitHub, Jira, Linear and Slack. Choose intentic when sandboxed defaults, review before landing and free team sharing matter more.

## OpenHands: common questions

### What are the best OpenHands alternatives?

For a managed agent service, compare Devin or Codex cloud. For an open agent in your terminal, compare OpenCode or Codex CLI. For a self-hosted workspace around the agents you already use, compare intentic.

### Is OpenHands free and open source?

The main repository is MIT and free to run locally with no conversation cap. The enterprise backend and self-hosted cloud charts use the PolyForm Free Trial licence, which is not open source. intentic is MIT throughout.

### How much does OpenHands cost?

The open-source edition and the Individual cloud tier are free; Individual allows 10 conversations a day. Enterprise, as SaaS or self-hosted, has custom pricing. You bring your own model key or use OpenHands' providers at cost.

### Can OpenHands run local models?

Yes. It connects to any model LiteLLM supports, and its docs cover Ollama, LM Studio, vLLM and SGLang. Results depend on the model and your hardware. In intentic, local inference depends on whether the agent you choose supports a local backend.

### OpenHands vs Claude Code: what is the difference?

Claude Code is Anthropic's coding agent. OpenHands is an open agent that works with many models, and Agent Canvas can also run Claude Code through ACP. intentic runs Claude Code in a sandbox with plan approval and review, alongside Codex, Grok, Kimi Code and Gemini.

### How do I self-host OpenHands with Docker?

Run Agent Canvas with npm, as a single Docker container, or with a Docker runtime that gives each conversation its own container. Its Kubernetes chart has no built-in authentication, so add your own access controls. intentic sets up its Docker sandbox and private tunnel with one command.

### OpenHands vs OpenCode: which should I use?

Both are open agents with broad model choice and local-model support. OpenCode centres on terminal, desktop and editor use; OpenHands adds Agent Canvas, automations and a cloud service. intentic can run OpenCode through ACP inside its workspace.

## Sources and last checked date

Product facts were checked against these official sources on 6 October 2026. Prices and features can change. [Report a mistake](https://github.com/intentic/intentic/issues).

- [OpenHands · www.openhands.dev](https://www.openhands.dev/)
- [Agent Canvas README · github.com](https://github.com/OpenHands/OpenHands)
- [Pricing · www.openhands.dev](https://www.openhands.dev/pricing)
- [Sandboxes · docs.openhands.dev](https://docs.openhands.dev/openhands/usage/sandboxes/overview)
- [Local models · docs.openhands.dev](https://docs.openhands.dev/openhands/usage/llms/local-llms)
- [Mobile access · docs.openhands.dev](https://docs.openhands.dev/openhands/usage/agent-canvas/mobile-access)
- [Kubernetes · docs.openhands.dev](https://docs.openhands.dev/openhands/usage/agent-canvas/backend-setup/kubernetes)
- [Self-hosted cloud licence · github.com](https://github.com/OpenHands/OpenHands-Cloud)

[Next comparison intentic vs Docker Sandboxes → Compare Docker's microVM sandboxes for coding agents with a browser workspace that also reviews their work.](https://intentic.dev/compare/docker-sandboxes/)

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