10+ Projects

Open Source Claude Cowork Alternatives

Explore free, open-source implementations and alternatives to Claude Cowork and Claude Code

Why Consider Open Source Alternatives?

Cost Savings

Use your own API keys and pay only for what you use

Customization

Modify and extend features to fit your workflow

Privacy & Control

Run locally with full control over your data

Desktop Apps

Claude Cowork Open Source Implementations

Desktop applications inspired by Claude Cowork's functionality

2.1k starsMIT

Open Source version of Claude Cowork built with Claude Code and Composio Tool Router.

Key Features:

  • Electron desktop application
  • IPC security bridge
  • Express server with provider routing
  • Claude Agent SDK integration
ElectronExpressClaude SDKTypeScript
1.8k starsApache 2.0

A desktop AI assistant that helps with programming, file management, and any task you can describe.

Key Features:

  • Desktop AI assistant
  • File management capabilities
  • Programming assistance
  • Task automation
PythonElectronClaude API
3.5k starsMIT

One-click installers for Windows and macOS with sandboxed workspace and Skills system.

Key Features:

  • One-click installation
  • Multi-model support (Claude, GLM, MiniMax, Kimi)
  • Sandboxed workspace
  • PPTX, DOCX, XLSX generation
  • Bring Your Own Key support
ElectronReactNode.js

Claude Cowork For Office

cowork-studio/OpenCowork
1.2k starsMIT

An open-source office task platform with MCP tool extension support.

Key Features:

  • MCP (Model Context Protocol) support
  • Third-party tool integration
  • Task templates (Routines)
  • Cross-platform (Windows/Linux/macOS)
TypeScriptMCPElectron
890 starsMIT

An open-source, local-first alternative to Claude Cowork powered by OpenCode.

Key Features:

  • Local-first architecture
  • Native desktop app
  • OpenCode integration
  • Privacy-focused
GoOpenCodeDesktop Native
CLI & IDE Tools

Claude Code Open Source Alternatives

Terminal and IDE-based coding assistants

Cline

25k+
View on GitHub

A VS Code-native agent built for plan → review → run loops with MCP tool integrations.

  • VS Code extension
  • Permissioned file/terminal actions
  • MCP tool integrations
  • Free and open source

Best for: VS Code users wanting seamless IDE integration

OpenCode

8k+
View on GitHub

Terminal-based AI assistant built with Go supporting 75+ different AI providers.

  • Terminal-based interface
  • 75+ AI providers supported
  • Flexible model switching
  • Local model support

Best for: Developers wanting provider flexibility

Aider

22k+
View on GitHub

CLI-driven AI pair programming with Git-aware diffs and voice coding support.

  • Git-aware editing
  • Voice coding support
  • Multi-file editing
  • Architect + editor model

Best for: Terminal-first developers

Goose CLI

4k+
View on GitHub

Fully local, open-source AI assistant with persistent sessions and memory.

  • Fully local execution
  • No cloud dependencies
  • Persistent memory sessions
  • Offline coding support

Best for: Offline development and privacy-conscious users

OpenHands

45k+
View on GitHub

Formerly OpenDevin - AI agents for project-scale orchestration and autonomous workflows.

  • Project-scale automation
  • Autonomous agent workflows
  • Research-oriented
  • Browser automation

Best for: Complex project automation and research

Continue.dev

20k+
View on GitHub

Open-source AI code assistant for VS Code and JetBrains with ultimate LLM flexibility.

  • VS Code & JetBrains support
  • Any model, any provider
  • Context-aware completions
  • Custom slash commands

Best for: Teams wanting IDE flexibility without vendor lock-in

Feature Comparison

FeatureClaude CoworkOpen CoworkClineAider
Desktop App✓✓✗✗
VS Code Integration✗✗✓✗
Terminal CLI✗✗✗✓
Local File Access✓✓✓✓
Multi-Model Support✗✓✓✓
Bring Your Own Key✗✓✓✓
Office Doc Generation✓✓✗✗
MCP Support✓✓✓✗
Offline Mode✗✗✗✓
Free to Use✗✓✓✓

How to Choose the Right Tool

For Desktop Automation

If you need file organization, document generation, and desktop workflows:

  • →Claude Cowork - Official, polished experience
  • →Open Cowork - Free, multi-model support

For Coding Assistance

If you need help writing, reviewing, and refactoring code:

  • →Cline - Best for VS Code users
  • →Aider - Best for terminal users
  • →Continue - Best for teams

For Budget Constraints

If you want to minimize costs with your own API keys:

  • →OpenCode - 75+ providers, flexible pricing
  • →Goose CLI - Fully local, free models

For Privacy & Security

If you need offline capability or strict data control:

  • →Goose CLI - Fully local execution
  • →OpenWork - Local-first architecture

Quick Navigation

Open Claude CoworkAgent CoworkOpen CoworkClaude Cowork For OfficeOpenWorkClineOpenCodeAiderGoose CLIOpenHandsContinue.dev

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