“Desktop AI agent” means at least three different things: an assistant that works through your files and hands back finished documents, an agent that drives the coding CLIs you already use, and an agent that clicks around your screen. The right pick depends on which one you mean, so this list is grouped that way. Every entry is open source and runs on your own computer.
The code is public on GitHub under a recognised licence, so you can see what the agent is able to touch.
There is an installable app for at least macOS or Windows, not only a library or a hosted service.
The project had commits within the last month when we checked on October 8, 2026.
Ranking a screen-control agent against a document assistant tells you nothing, so each group answers a different need.
This list is published by Orkas, and Orkas is one of the entries; its row is marked. Licences and platforms were checked on each project's GitHub page on October 8, 2026.
Hand it a task and get files back
Eigent describes itself as “the open source Cowork desktop”. It is Apache-2.0, has desktop builds for macOS, Windows and Linux, and splits a task across a workforce of agents that run on the model keys you bring.
Project on GitHub →OpenWork calls itself “the open-source alternative to Claude Cowork” and is built on OpenCode, so it inherits OpenCode's wide model choice. It has desktop builds for macOS, Windows and Linux.
Most of the code is MIT, but one enterprise directory is under a separate licence.
Project on GitHub →One capable general agent
Goose is an Apache-2.0 agent with a desktop app and a CLI for macOS, Windows and Linux, and it works with the model you choose. It installs, runs, edits and tests on your machine.
Project on GitHub →Hermes Agent, from Nous Research, is MIT. It runs natively on Linux, macOS and Windows as a CLI, a terminal UI and a messaging gateway, and there is a Hermes Desktop app. It is built to keep running on a machine you leave on and to grow its skills over time.
Project on GitHub →A desktop window for your CLI agents
AionUi is Apache-2.0, for macOS, Windows and Linux. It puts OpenClaw, Hermes, Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode and more than 20 other CLI agents in one desktop window, with custom assistants you can team up.
Project on GitHub →A chat studio that can also act
Cherry Studio is a desktop studio for macOS, Windows and Linux with chat, autonomous agents and more than 300 ready-made assistants across most major model providers.
It is AGPL-3.0, which adds obligations if you modify it and offer it to others as a service.
Project on GitHub →An agent that operates your screen
UI-TARS Desktop, from ByteDance, is Apache-2.0 and runs on Windows and macOS. It reads the screen and controls the mouse and keyboard, so it can work in apps that have no API. Pick it if “desktop agent” means computer use; it is not a workspace for files and documents.
Agents that click for you can misclick, so keep them away from payments and anything you cannot undo.
Project on GitHub →A team of specialists that also runs your CLIs
Orkas is MIT, with installers for macOS and Windows. A Commander turns your goal into a plan and hands parts of it to specialist agents for research, documents, slides, images and video. It can also run Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, OpenClaw and Hermes as members of the team. Use your own API key or Orkas-hosted models; new accounts get 500 free credits.
What it does not do: the installer needs an account, tasks stop when the app is closed, and it does not give each agent its own git worktree.
See how Orkas compares with each one →| Agent | Best for | Platforms | Licence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eigent | Multi-agent tasks on your files, Cowork-style | macOS, Windows, Linux | Apache-2.0 |
| OpenWork | A Cowork-style app with OpenCode's model choice | macOS, Windows, Linux | MIT core, enterprise directory separate |
| Goose | One capable agent with the model you choose | macOS, Windows, Linux | Apache-2.0 |
| Hermes Agent | An agent that keeps running and that you message | Linux, macOS, Windows | MIT |
| AionUi | One window for more than 20 CLI agents | macOS, Windows, Linux | Apache-2.0 |
| Cherry Studio | Multi-model chat that can also act | macOS, Windows, Linux | AGPL-3.0 |
| UI-TARS Desktop | Working in apps through the screen | Windows, macOS | Apache-2.0 |
| Orkas Ours | A team of specialists that also runs your CLIs | macOS, Windows | MIT |
Platforms are the builds each project publishes on GitHub, checked on October 8, 2026.
Orkas is free to download for macOS and Windows. Start with 500 free credits on Orkas-hosted models, or connect your own API key, or the Claude Code, Codex and OpenCode CLIs you already use.
It is an AI agent that runs as an app on your own computer and acts there: it reads and writes files, runs tools, or operates other apps, instead of only answering in a chat window.
All eight on this list do. Eigent, OpenWork, Goose, Hermes Agent, AionUi and Cherry Studio also publish Linux builds. Orkas installers are for macOS and Windows only.
Yes. Every entry is free to download, and most let you connect the model provider of your choice with your own API key. Orkas also offers Orkas-hosted models, with 500 free credits for new accounts.
It runs on your computer, so a task stops when the computer sleeps or the app closes. Hosted agents, such as Claude Cowork's cloud sessions, don't have that limit. Agents that operate the screen can also misclick, so keep them away from anything you cannot undo.
Orkas is free, MIT licensed, and available for macOS and Windows. New accounts get 500 free credits, or you can use your own API key.
