OpenComputer vs CloudCLI

CloudCLI (cloudcli.ai) and OpenComputer both run Claude Code and Codex in the cloud, so the agent keeps going after you close your laptop, and both let you bring your own subscription with no model markup.

The difference is who drives. CloudCLI is a persistent cloud container per developer, with several agent CLIs pre-installed, that you open from a phone, a browser, your IDE over SSH or an API. It is built on the open-source CloudCLI UI, formerly Claude Code UI. OpenComputer is a coding agent you mention in Slack: you describe the change, it works on your workspace's cloud machine, and a pull request comes back in a thread the whole team can see and steer.

If you want your own always-available cloud box to work in with agents, especially from your phone, CloudCLI fits. If you want to hand requests to an agent and review pull requests, OpenComputer fits. The two can be complementary.

At a glance

What is CloudCLI?

CloudCLI gives each developer a long-lived cloud environment with Claude Code, Cursor CLI, Codex, Gemini CLI and OpenCode pre-installed. Each environment is an isolated Docker container with 2 CPUs and 4 GB of RAM on the starter size, its own subdomain, SSH access and a /workspace/ directory. Processes, terminal sessions and files persist when you disconnect. Environments start bare bones: the user has sudo and you install what you need with apt, or let the agent do it.

You work in a web UI with chat, a shell, a file explorer and a Git explorer, on desktop or as a mobile web app, or connect from VS Code or Cursor over SSH. There are desktop apps for macOS and Windows. For automation, a REST endpoint runs Claude Code, Codex or Cursor CLI on a running environment and can create a branch and PR, and a verified n8n node has published Jira and Linear templates. The UI is open source under AGPL-3.0, with about 14,300 GitHub stars as of October 28, 2026, and you can self-host it for free.

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. Its core platform is open source under Apache-2.0, and the same cloud runs serverless agents you write in TypeScript.

Key differences

A box you drive or an agent you delegate to

CloudCLI is an interactive environment. You open it, chat with the agent, watch the terminal and step in through the shell, file explorer or your IDE. Work stays in your environment until you commit and push. It is closer to a remote workstation, which suits developers who want hands-on control from anywhere.

OpenComputer is delegation. You describe the change in Slack, and what comes back is a reviewable pull request with the evidence attached. There is no IDE or mobile app to open. If you want to drive the agent yourself, CloudCLI gives you more surface. For more on that tradeoff, see OpenComputer vs Boxes.dev.

Personal environment or shared thread

CloudCLI environments belong to a developer. On the Team plan an owner can share an environment with org members, who can open it, start or stop it and connect over SSH. Teams can also share MCP servers, context files and configs.

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 redirect it, and conventions one person explains apply to the next person's requests. The thread is also the record of who asked for each change and why.

Setup, machines and previews

CloudCLI starts from a bare Ubuntu-based image, and self-serve plans use 2 CPU, 4 GB environments; larger sizes are offered on Enterprise. Its docs describe previewing a running app through SSH or VS Code port forwarding. OpenComputer keeps the repository, dependencies and build caches warm on the workspace's machine, and attaches a screenshot and preview link to pull requests that change the UI.

Agent choice

CloudCLI comes with five agent CLIs pre-installed, including Cursor CLI, Gemini CLI and OpenCode, and works with your Claude, Cursor, OpenAI or Gemini subscription or key. It does not sell inference. OpenComputer runs only Claude Code and Codex, with your subscription, your own API key, or its 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.

Pricing compared

As of October 2026, CloudCLI lists Hobby at €7 a month for one active environment, Growth at €20 for five, and Team at €39 for five environments and five members, with extra environments at €5 a month and custom Enterprise plans. The trial gives 2 hours of runtime on one environment, to be used within 2 days, and the self-hosted UI is free. You pay model providers directly. OpenComputer lists Pro at $20 a month with 2,000 work minutes and Max at $200 with 25,000, for the whole Slack workspace, and $0.01 per extra minute.

For a team of five that each want an environment, CloudCLI Team is €39 a month. OpenComputer Pro is $20 a month for the same five people, covering about 33 hours of active agent work. The two are priced in different currencies and units: CloudCLI charges a flat fee per environment you work in, while OpenComputer charges for minutes the agent spends working on requests. The two can also work side by side, one as a personal cloud box and one for delegated work.

When to choose CloudCLI

• You want a persistent cloud environment you can drive from your phone, browser or IDE.
• You want Cursor CLI, Gemini CLI or OpenCode alongside Claude Code and Codex.
• You want a low flat monthly price, or to self-host the open-source UI for free.
• You want to trigger agent runs from Jira or Linear through n8n.

When to choose OpenComputer

• Your team works in Slack and wants requests, steering and history in one shared thread.
• You'd rather hand off a change and review a pull request than drive the agent yourself.
• You want the repo, dependencies and build caches kept warm, with each thread in its own copy of the repos on its own branch.
• You want to build your own agents on the same cloud.

FAQ

Is OpenComputer a CloudCLI alternative?

Yes, if what you want is to hand coding work to Claude Code or Codex and get pull requests back. CloudCLI is a persistent cloud environment you drive yourself, while OpenComputer is a Slack agent that works on its own and returns a pull request.

Is CloudCLI the same as Claude Code UI?

CloudCLI is built on the open-source CloudCLI UI, which was formerly called Claude Code UI. The UI is free to self-host under AGPL-3.0, and cloudcli.ai sells hosted environments that run it.

How much does CloudCLI cost?

As of October 2026, CloudCLI Hobby is €7 a month for one environment, Growth is €20 for five, and Team is €39 for five environments and five members. Extra environments are €5 a month each. There is a 2-hour free trial, and model costs are paid to your provider.

Can I use Claude Code on my phone with either?

CloudCLI works as a mobile web app, so you can chat with the agent and use the shell from your phone, and a native app is in development. OpenComputer has no mobile app, but you can mention @Computer from the Slack app on your phone.

Can I use my Claude or ChatGPT subscription with both?

Yes. CloudCLI requires your own subscription or API key and adds no model markup. OpenComputer accepts your Claude or ChatGPT subscription or an API key, and can switch to its own tokens at API prices when a subscription hits its limit, if you choose.

Sources

• CloudCLI llms.txt
• CloudCLI pricing
• Cloud environments
• Running and previewing your app
• Sharing environments with your team
• Mobile app
• Download
• Integrations
• Execute AI agent API
• CloudCLI UI on GitHub