Comparison · facts verified 2026-09-07
Two open projects, different delivery shapes. OpenHands is an open-source platform for AI-driven development: its current Agent Canvas can run locally and connect to Docker, VM, or cloud agent backends. Orbi is a GitHub-native delivery line where an ai-ready Issue starts the work. Both support self-hosting and BYOK; neither overlap nor difference should be inflated.
THE COMPETITOR, FROM ITS OWN MATERIALS
OpenHands, formerly associated with OpenDevin, is maintained in the OpenHands repositories and presents Agent Canvas as a developer control center for starting conversations and automating tasks. The official README says it runs locally by default, can connect to agents in Docker containers, VMs, or company infrastructure, and can optionally use OpenHands Cloud or Enterprise infrastructure. Its Automation Server can run work on a schedule or in response to webhook events, including integrations with GitHub, Slack, Linear, Notion, and more.
Sources: OpenHands official repository; OpenHands Automation repository — verified 2026-09-07.
THE OPERATING SURFACE
The documented entry points are intentionally broad: a browser canvas for conversations, local launchers and Docker, automation/webhooks, and a REST API through Agent Server. OpenHands Cloud is an optional commercial service; self-hosting remains an official path.
| Dimension | Orbi | OpenHands |
|---|---|---|
| Runs where | Your machine and Git worktree | Local machine, Docker, VM, company infrastructure, or OpenHands Cloud |
| Task entry | GitHub Issue + ai-ready | Agent Canvas/Web UI, local launchers/CLI, automations and webhooks, Agent Server REST API |
| Models | BYOK, any endpoint | BYOK; official docs describe using any LLM and configurable LLM profiles |
| State | GitHub Issues, labels, branches, PRs | Conversations, workspaces, events, and run history in the OpenHands SDK/Automation components |
| GitHub coupling | Native queue and delivery ledger | Integration/automation among several supported tools; GitHub is not the sole queue in the cited materials |
| Open / self-hosted | Yes / Yes | MIT / Yes; Cloud and Enterprise are optional services |
Sources: OpenHands README; software-agent-sdk; LLM profiles documentation; automation documentation; backend documentation — verified 2026-09-07.
AN HONEST READ
Choose based on the boundary you want to own, not on whether either project is “more open.” They are both open-source, self-hostable systems with provider choice.
PROVENANCE
This page is a dated snapshot. Facts above were checked on 2026-09-07; revisit the linked official materials before making an architectural decision.
OPEN SOURCE CORE
OpenHands gives you a broad control center and backend choice. Orbi gives the GitHub Issue queue and delivery ledger. Both let you own the deployment.
