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OpenComputer

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Deploy AI agents as TypeScript functions on real Linux machines

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Tracked since2026
0 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free plan available, paid tiers above

Biggest pro

Fast deployment: write a function, deploy in seconds

Biggest con

Requires TypeScript knowledge

TL;DR - OpenComputer

  • Write an agent as a TypeScript function and deploy it live in seconds.
  • Every session runs on a real Linux machine with full egress, tools, and MCP support.
  • Secrets never enter the runtime; pay-as-you-go with free credit and bring-your-own-model options.
Pricing: Free plan available
Best for: Growing teams

What is OpenComputer?

Editorial review
OpenComputer is a platform for deploying AI agents as TypeScript functions. You write an agent as a function, deploy it live in seconds, and OpenComputer handles the agent loop, sessions, streaming, and versioning. Each session runs on a real Linux machine with shell access, a read-write filesystem, package managers, and full network egress, so agents can clone repos, run ffmpeg, drive a browser, or install anything. The platform includes managed sessions that stream, can be steered mid-run, hibernate when idle, and resume where they left off. It also supports MCP servers, custom tools, and cron scheduling for autonomous operation. Secrets are bound to specific origins and injected after requests leave the sandbox, so agents can use tokens without ever reading or exfiltrating them. For developers who want their own agent loop, OpenComputer offers bare sandboxes as full Linux microVMs with checkpoint, fork, and live resize capabilities. Pricing is pay-as-you-go with a free credit to start, and you can bring your own model keys or subscriptions to reduce costs.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Fast deployment: write a function, deploy in seconds
  • Secure by design: keys never enter the runtime
  • Flexible: bring your own model keys or use theirs
  • Durable sessions that hibernate and resume
  • Pay-as-you-go with free credit to start

Cons

  • Requires TypeScript knowledge
  • Usage-based pricing can be unpredictable for long-running sessions

Key Features

TypeScript agent framework with useModel, useTool, and useMcpServer hooksManaged sessions with streaming, steering, hibernation, and resumeFull Linux sandboxes with shell, filesystem, package managers, and network accessSecure secret injection bound to specific originsCron scheduling for autonomous agent runsBare sandboxes with checkpoint, fork, and live resize

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Aug 26, 2026

Free

$0 / mo with $10 free credit

  • Model calls at API rates, machine time per second
  • Scale to zero when idle
  • No monthly commitment

Pro

$20 / mo

  • 10× prepaid credit
  • Your $20 becomes 10× the usage credit
  • Credit covers both meters: model calls and machine time
  • Bring your Codex subscription — model calls cost nothing, all of it goes to machine time
  • Run out and you're simply on PAYG rates

ProMax

$200 / mo

  • 10× prepaid credit, at scale
  • Your $200 becomes 10× the usage credit
  • Enough to keep 10+ default machines running around the clock
  • Same rule: bring your own subscription and it all goes to machine time
  • Run out and you're simply on PAYG rates

Enterprise

Custom

  • On your terms
  • Your own cloud or VPC, self-hosted connections
  • Volume pricing and higher limits
  • SSO, audit log, priority support

Is OpenComputer worth the price?

85/100

OpenComputer's pricing is generous for developers, especially with the 10x credit multiplier on Pro ($20) and ProMax ($200) tiers, effectively giving $200 and $2,000 in usage respectively.

The free tier with $10 credit is a low-risk entry point, and the ability to bring your own Codex subscription to eliminate model call costs is a standout value. Best for individual developers or small teams building AI agents who want predictable costs without overcommitment.

Hidden Costs & Gotchas

PAYG rates kick in after credit exhausted

Machine time per second can accumulate fast

Bring your own subscription limited to Codex

No annual billing discount available

Enterprise requires custom contract negotiation

How OpenComputer Compares to Competitors

OpenComputer undercuts many serverless function platforms by offering 10x usage credits, making it cheaper than most per-second compute services. Compared to dedicated AI agent platforms, it is more transparent and cost-effective, especially for those who bring their own model subscription. However, self-hosting open-source agents on raw cloud VMs can be cheaper at high volume, but you lose the managed sandboxes and session orchestration.

How OpenComputer's pricing compares

At $20/mo, OpenComputer is mid-range of its 5 direct competitors ($0.4 to $500/mo across the set).

Entry paid plan, monthly. Pricing checked Aug 26, 2026.

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OpenComputer FAQ

How does OpenComputer keep API keys secure?

Each secret is bound to a specific origin and injected after the request leaves the sandbox. The agent can use the token to make requests to that origin, but it cannot read the token itself or send it anywhere else, preventing exfiltration.

Can I bring my own model subscription to reduce costs?

Yes. You can bring your own model key or a Codex subscription. When you do, model call costs drop to zero and you only pay for machine time, which can significantly lower your overall usage bill.

What happens when an agent session is idle?

Sessions automatically hibernate when idle and resume where they left off when needed. You are only billed for machine time while the session is actively running, so idle periods don't incur charges.

Can I use OpenComputer without the agent framework?

Yes. OpenComputer provides bare sandboxes that you can create directly with Sandbox.create(). These are full Linux microVMs with checkpoint, fork, and live resize, allowing you to run your own agent harness and loop while still using the same compute infrastructure.

What kinds of tools can run inside the sandbox?

Anything that runs on Linux. You get shell access, a read-write filesystem, package managers like apt, npm, and pip, and full network egress. This means you can clone repositories, run ffmpeg, drive a headless browser, install arbitrary software, and more.

How does scheduling work for autonomous agents?

You can define a schedule using a cron expression, and OpenComputer will dispatch your agent with a payload at the specified times. The platform handles sessions, streaming, MCP, and Slack integration, so your agent can run itself on a recurring basis.

What are the default machine specs for agent sessions?

Agent sessions default to 2 GB RAM and 1 vCPU. They can burst automatically to 4 GB / 2 vCPU or 8 GB / 4 vCPU when the workload requires it, and you are billed per minute of machine time at the corresponding rate.

Is there a free tier or trial?

Yes. New users receive $10 of free credit to start. You can use the pay-as-you-go model without any monthly commitment, and if you run out of credit you simply continue at the standard PAYG rates.

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