# OpenComputer vs Amp

Amp is a multi-model coding agent with web, CLI, Mac, iOS and Android apps, whose threads can run in "orbs": remote Debian VMs prepared from a project snapshot that pause when idle. OpenComputer runs Claude Code and Codex on a cloud Linux machine per Slack workspace, driven from a shared Slack thread or an API, and billed per Slack workspace for work minutes.

The biggest difference is the agent and the model setup. Amp is its own agent that routes each mode to a different model, with no markup on model prices and many ways to bring your own keys or subscriptions. OpenComputer has no agent of its own: it runs Claude Code or Codex, with your Claude or ChatGPT subscription or its tokens at API prices, and centers the work in a Slack thread.

If you want a model-agnostic agent with rich apps, a terminal into the VM and per-minute machine pricing, Amp fits. If your team wants Claude Code or Codex working from Slack on one workspace plan, OpenComputer fits.

## At a glance

| | Amp | OpenComputer |
|---|---|---|
| Where the agent runs | Debian orb VM per thread, or your own machines | Your workspace's cloud Linux machine |
| Agent and models | Amp's agent; Claude, GPT, GLM and others by mode | Claude Code and Codex |
| How you hand it work | Web, CLI, desktop and mobile apps, Slack, Linear, GitHub | Slack mention or API |
| What you get back | Diff; Ship lands it as a PR or branch push | A pull request with screenshot and preview for UI changes |
| Between tasks | Orb pauses, files and services restored on wake | Machine stays warm; repo and caches kept |
| Pricing model | Per person tier, agent usage plus orb time | Per workspace, work minutes |
| Entry price | Megawatt, $20 per month | Pro, $20 per month for the workspace |
| Free option | Hobby tier, pay as you go | 3-day trial, 600 work minutes |

## What is Amp?

Amp is a coding agent you use from the web, a CLI and TUI, a Mac app, and iOS and Android apps in beta. [Orbs are remote machines where Amp agents work](https://ampcode.com/docs/markdown/orbs) without using your computer, and each orb thread gets a fresh, isolated environment. Orbs run [Debian 12, from 1 CPU and 2 GB up to 16 CPU and 44 GB](https://ampcode.com/docs/markdown/orbs/sizes-and-costs), prepared by a setup script and saved as a project snapshot. An orb pauses 5 minutes after the agent stops or 20 minutes after your last interaction, whichever is later, costs nothing while asleep, and restores conversation, files and services on wake.

You start work from the apps, the CLI with `amp -ox`, `@Amp` in Slack, Linear, GitHub webhooks or automations, and a meta-agent called Puck can start and coordinate threads. You get a terminal into the orb, portals that expose dev servers at authenticated URLs, a desktop view, and multiplayer control shared with teammates. The Ship button lands changes as a GitHub PR or a push to another git host. Threads can also run on your own machines as runners, or in [self-hosted orbs](https://ampcode.com/docs/markdown/orbs/self-hosted).

## What is OpenComputer?

OpenComputer runs Claude Code and Codex in its own cloud, and you hand them work by mentioning @Computer in a Slack thread or calling the API from your code. Each Slack workspace gets its own cloud Linux machine, sized to its plan. Every thread works in its own copy of the repos on its own branch, so parallel requests don't collide. Workspaces resume warm, with the repository, dependencies and build caches already in place.

@Computer reads the code, runs the commands and tests, then opens a pull request that says what changed, why, and how it was checked, with a link back to the thread. UI changes come with a screenshot and a preview link. OpenComputer has no desktop or mobile app: the interface is Slack plus the API.

## Key differences

### Amp's agent or Claude Code and Codex

Amp runs its own agent, and [the Dial](https://ampcode.com/docs/markdown/the-dial) sets a mode per thread, each backed by a model: as of October 2026, [Claude Opus 5.5 for medium and GPT-6 Astra for high](https://ampcode.com/modes), among others. Amp also has a Claude Code mode that uses the Claude Agent SDK with your linked Claude subscription. OpenComputer runs the [Claude Code](/compare/opencomputer-vs-claude-code) and [Codex](/compare/opencomputer-vs-codex) harnesses themselves and does not build an agent of its own. If you want one agent that mixes models across vendors, Amp gives you more choice.

### Bringing your own models

Amp's [model routing](https://ampcode.com/docs/markdown/customize/model-routing) accepts API keys from several providers, ChatGPT and SuperGrok subscriptions, Bedrock, Vertex, Azure and gateways such as OpenRouter, with no Amp fees outside Enterprise. Linked subscriptions do not cover orb time. OpenComputer accepts a Claude or ChatGPT subscription at $0 for the model, your own API key, or its own tokens at API prices with no markup. When a subscription hits its limit you choose whether it switches to OpenComputer tokens until the reset or stops and waits.

### Team workflow

Both products take work from Slack and both are multiplayer. Amp's multiplayer means teammates share control of an orb, and its apps, terminal and desktop view suit developers who want to drive the machine. On OpenComputer the Slack thread is the unit of work: everyone in it sees every file @Computer opens and every command it runs, anyone can steer it, conventions one person explains apply to later requests, and the thread records who asked for each change and why.

### What you pay for

Amp bills agent usage at providers' API prices and [orb time per minute while running](https://ampcode.com/docs/markdown/orbs/sizes-and-costs), from $0.08 an hour for the smallest size. On Teams, members keep their own tier and orb time is per person, not pooled. OpenComputer bills one plan per Slack workspace for work minutes, which run only while @Computer is working on a message.

## Pricing compared

As of October 2026, Amp lists [Hobby as free](https://ampcode.com/pricing), with pay-as-you-go credits and orb time. Megawatt is $20 a month with $20 of agent usage and 750 hours of `a1.small` orb time, and Gigawatt is $200 a month with $200 of agent usage and 1,000 hours of `a1.xxlarge` orb time. Teams cost nothing extra. OpenComputer lists Pro at $20 a month with 2,000 work minutes and Max at $200 with 25,000, for the whole Slack workspace, with $0.01 per extra minute.

For a team of five, Megawatt for everyone is $100 a month, with $20 of agent usage and 750 `a1.small` orb hours each. OpenComputer Pro is $20 a month for the whole workspace, covering about 33 hours of active agent work, plus the model: a Claude or ChatGPT subscription you already have, an API key, or OpenComputer tokens at API prices. The units differ: Amp's price includes agent usage and counts orb time until the orb pauses, while OpenComputer's counts only agent working time and leaves the model to your subscription or key.

## When to choose Amp

- You want a model-agnostic agent that routes between Claude, GPT and other models, with no markup.
- You want a terminal, portals and a desktop view into the agent's VM, plus desktop and mobile apps.
- You want each thread in its own fresh, isolated orb, rather than threads sharing one workspace machine in separate repo copies.
- You want free runners on your own machines or self-hosted orbs.
- You want per-minute machine pricing with VM sizes up to 16 CPUs.

## When to choose OpenComputer

- You want Claude Code or Codex specifically, using a Claude or ChatGPT subscription you already pay for.
- Your team works in Slack and wants one shared thread as the record of requests, steering and review.
- You want pull requests with what changed, why and how it was checked, and a screenshot for UI work.
- You'd rather pay one plan for the whole Slack workspace, and build your own [serverless agents](/agents) on the same minutes.

## FAQ

### Is OpenComputer an Amp Code alternative?

Yes, for teams that want a cloud coding agent they hand work to from Slack. Amp is its own multi-model agent with apps and orbs. OpenComputer runs Claude Code and Codex instead, and centers the work in a shared Slack thread.

### How much does Amp cost?

As of October 2026, Amp's Hobby tier is free with pay-as-you-go credits, Megawatt is $20 a month and Gigawatt is $200 a month, each including agent usage and orb hours. Orbs are billed per minute while running, and a sleeping orb costs nothing.

### Amp vs Claude Code: can Amp run Claude Code?

Amp has a Claude Code mode that uses the Claude Agent SDK with your linked Claude subscription, and it works in orbs. Its default modes use Amp's own agent. OpenComputer runs Claude Code and Codex directly.

### Can I use my Claude or ChatGPT subscription?

Amp accepts a ChatGPT subscription and, through Claude Code mode, a Claude subscription, but these do not cover orb time. OpenComputer accepts either subscription, so you pay $0 to OpenComputer for the model and pay work minutes separately.

### Does OpenComputer give me a terminal on its machine?

OpenComputer does not list a terminal into @Computer's sessions; it shows every file it opens and every command it runs in the Slack thread. Amp gives you a terminal tab that shares a tmux session with the agent.

## Sources

- [Amp documentation](https://ampcode.com/docs/markdown)
- [Orbs](https://ampcode.com/docs/markdown/orbs)
- [Orb sizes and costs](https://ampcode.com/docs/markdown/orbs/sizes-and-costs)
- [Self-hosted orbs](https://ampcode.com/docs/markdown/orbs/self-hosted)
- [The Dial](https://ampcode.com/docs/markdown/the-dial)
- [Amp modes](https://ampcode.com/modes)
- [Model routing](https://ampcode.com/docs/markdown/customize/model-routing)
- [Amp pricing](https://ampcode.com/pricing)