Choose Orca for a dense desktop IDE built around agents: terminals, diffs with line comments, a browser with Design Mode, usage meters and phone apps. Choose intentic when you want agents in a Docker sandbox that keeps running on its own and opens in any browser.
Both are MIT, free and use your own subscriptions. Orca's default favours speed: new agent launches skip permission prompts. intentic's own-branch conversations also run without per-tool prompts, but inside a container, and nothing lands until you review it.
Orca vs intentic: at a glance
▸ marks Orca's strengths (3 rows)
Free, MIT and built on your subscriptions · Both run many agents at once, each on its own git worktree, with the agent CLIs and plans you already have. Both can keep agents working on another machine and let you steer them from a phone.
| Dimension | intentic | Orca |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| Clients | Any browser, including a phone's | ▸Desktop app for three systems; iOS app and Android APK in beta |
| Agents | Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Grok, Kimi Code, Devin and ACP agents | ▸Any terminal agent, with about 40 preconfigured |
| Permission default | Plan mode on the shared tree; own-branch work unprompted inside the sandbox | Permission-bypass flags pre-filled; Manual in settings |
| Isolation | Docker sandbox plus a git worktree per conversation | Git worktree per task on the host; containers and VMs experimental |
| Review | Plan approval and file-by-file review before landing | ▸Line comments sent back to the agent; commit, push and PR in the app |
The main differences
Desktop app or browser workspace
Orca is a desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux, with an iOS app and an Android APK, both in beta, that pair with a running desktop or server. intentic is a browser workspace over a Docker sandbox, so a phone uses the same interface as a laptop.
Permission defaults and isolation
Orca pre-fills each agent's permission-bypass flag for new launches, because worktrees are disposable, and Manual is one setting away. The agent runs on your host. intentic runs agents in a Docker sandbox, and work from a conversation's own branch lands only after you review the diff.
When the laptop sleeps
Locally, Orca's agents run on the machine with the app. A Remote Orca Server, in beta, keeps agents running while your laptop sleeps, as long as the server stays awake. intentic's runs live in the sandbox, so closing the browser does not stop them.
When to choose Orca
Pick Orca if you want a feature-dense agent IDE that is free under MIT: almost any CLI agent, line-level review comments, a browser with Design Mode, usage meters with account switching and phone apps. Its team ships new features daily. Choose intentic when sandboxed agents and a workspace that does not depend on one desktop matter more.
Orca: common questions
What is Orca ADE?
Orca is a free, MIT-licensed agent development environment from Stably AI, a company backed by Y Combinator. It runs coding agents side by side in git worktrees, with terminals, a diff viewer, an embedded browser, a CLI and a headless server mode. It is a desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux.
Is Orca free and open source?
Yes. Orca is MIT-licensed with no paid tier; an Enterprise page offers rollout guidance and self-hosting. Agents run on your own subscriptions. intentic is also MIT and free to self-host, with an optional hosted sandbox.
Does Orca have a mobile app?
Yes, in beta. The iOS app is on the App Store and Android ships as an APK. The phone app is a remote control for a running Orca desktop or server: you can reply to agents, read scrollback and commit. intentic's workspace opens in a phone's browser.
Does Orca skip permission prompts by default?
Yes, for new launches. Orca pre-fills each supported CLI's permission-bypass flag, reasoning that worktrees are disposable, and Settings switches launches to Manual. In intentic, a conversation on its own branch also runs without per-tool prompts, but inside a Docker sandbox, and its changes land only after review.
Can Orca keep agents running when my laptop sleeps?
Yes, with a Remote Orca Server, which is in beta: agents keep running while the client laptop sleeps or disconnects, as long as the server stays awake. SSH targets also run agents on a remote host. intentic's sandbox keeps running whether or not a browser is open.
Orca vs Paseo or Conductor: what is the difference?
Orca is a desktop IDE built around terminals, worktrees and a browser, with phone companions. Paseo is a daemon with desktop, web, mobile and CLI clients and an end-to-end encrypted relay. Conductor is a proprietary Mac app with managed cloud workspaces. intentic puts agents in a Docker sandbox behind a browser workspace.
Sources and last checked date
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