OpenComputer gives each AI agent a real Linux machine per session — ffmpeg, chromium, git, install anything, with hibernate/resume and keys that never enter the runtime. It's freemium: $10 free credit to start, then Pro plans from $20/month with a 10× prepaid credit multiplier, plus pay-as-you-go model calls at API rates. If you want a fully free or self-hosted route, or a lower-cost freemium plan, here are the options that actually exist for this job.
| Product | Free tier | Starts at | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenComputer | Yes ($10 credit) | $20/mo | Managed agent sandboxes, no self-hosting |
| Agent | Yes (open-source) | Not stated | Local computer-use workflows on macOS/Linux |
| Open Computer Use | Yes (open-source) | Not stated | Running AI-generated code in sandboxes, self-hosted |
| Construct Computer | Yes (7-day Pro trial) | $9/mo | Cloud-based agent OS with a desktop frontend |
| Matrix OS | Yes (3-day trial, card required) | Not stated | Cloud computer shared between you and agents |
Agent
Agent (github.com/trycua/cua) is an open-source framework for running computer-use workflows across multiple apps in isolated macOS/Linux sandboxes. It builds on the earlier "Computer" project so agents can span more than one application without breaking. It works with local Ollama models for privacy or cloud providers like OpenAI and Anthropic. No pricing is stated anywhere — it's free, open-source software on GitHub. Best suited to developers comfortable running and maintaining their own sandboxes rather than a managed service.
Open Computer Use
Open Computer Use (github.com/e2b-dev/open-computer-use) is E2B's open-source project for running untrusted AI-generated code in secure sandboxes — a coding runtime for LLMs. You can self-host on GCP today, with AWS and Azure support in progress. No pricing is stated; it's free and open-source. It suits teams that want E2B's sandbox model without a managed subscription, but self-hosting means you handle infrastructure, and cloud support beyond GCP isn't finished yet.
Construct Computer
Construct Computer (construct.computer) is a cloud OS where autonomous agents ("Constructs") handle day-to-day work — scheduling, documents, research, meetings — visible through a desktop-style frontend, with integrations into business tools. Pricing is freemium: a 7-day trial on Pro, then paid tiers starting at $9/month (Lite), up to $59/month (Starter) and $299/month (Pro). Good for people who want a persistent agent handling ongoing tasks rather than one-off sandbox sessions. The limitation: the free access is a time-limited trial, not an ongoing free tier.
Matrix OS
Matrix OS (matrix-os.com) offers a cloud computer shared between a user and their agents. It's freemium, with a 3-day free trial ($0 today, card required). The pricing page doesn't specify paid-tier costs, so exact rates beyond the trial aren't stated. It may suit people wanting a shared cloud environment for both personal and agent use, but the requirement for card details upfront and the missing paid pricing make it harder to evaluate before committing.
How to choose
If you want zero cost and don't mind managing your own infrastructure, Agent or Open Computer Use are fully open-source with no pricing at all. If you want a managed, persistent agent environment and can pay something, Construct Computer's $9/month Lite tier is the cheapest stated paid option here, well below OpenComputer's $20/month. If you're undecided, Matrix OS's trial (or OpenComputer's $10 free credit) let you test a managed setup before paying, though Matrix OS asks for card details first.
FAQ
Is there a fully free alternative to OpenComputer? Yes — Agent and Open Computer Use are open-source with no pricing stated, effectively free to self-host.
Which paid alternative is cheapest? Construct Computer starts at $9/month, cheaper than OpenComputer's $20/month Pro plan.
Do any alternatives require self-hosting? Agent and Open Computer Use are open-source frameworks you run yourself; Construct Computer, Matrix OS, and OpenComputer are managed services.