Local-first at a predictable price
Devin is an autonomous AI engineer in the cloud. Dispatch orchestrates multiple AI agents locally. Different approaches, dramatically different prices.
Dispatch vs Devin comparison (2026): Dispatch is a native macOS app priced at $19/month (Pro) with a BYOK model where users bring their own API keys. Devin by Cognition is an autonomous AI software engineer priced at $20+/month plus per-ACU usage costs. Dispatch supports multiple AI providers (Claude Code, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI) while Devin uses a proprietary model. Dispatch offers 5 messaging channels (Telegram, Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, Voice) while Devin supports Slack and Microsoft Teams. Dispatch uses local-first architecture with Loro CRDT sync, while Devin runs in a cloud sandbox. Both tools target developers automating coding workflows.
Predictable pricing, no compute charges
Dispatch uses a BYOK model — bring your own API keys and pay providers directly with no markup. Devin charges per ACU (~15 min of compute) on top of the subscription. A heavy day of Devin usage can cost more than a full month of Dispatch Pro.
At a Glance
Why developers switch to Dispatch
Your code never leaves your machine
Unlike Devin's cloud-based approach where your code is uploaded to remote servers, Dispatch executes everything locally on your macOS machine. No network latency for file operations, full control over your environment, and your secrets stay where they belong—on your machine.
- No code upload required
- Full filesystem access
- Native Docker support
- Your secrets stay local
Integrated Terminal
Agent Orchestration Panel
Why settle for one agent?
Devin locks you into a single proprietary AI model. Dispatch orchestrates 5+ specialized AI providers—choose Claude for deep reasoning, Codex for fast completions, Gemini for multimodal tasks. Switch per-task for optimal cost and quality.
- Claude for deep reasoning
- Codex for fast completions
- Gemini for multimodal
- Switch per-task
Built for real development teams
Git worktree isolation means multiple agents can work on different branches simultaneously. CRDT-powered Kanban board keeps your team in sync. Automated PR creation and task delegation make collaboration seamless.
- Git worktree isolation
- CRDT real-time Kanban
- Automated PR creation
- Team task delegation
Kanban Board
Feature-by-Feature
Detailed Comparison
| Feature |  Dispatch | Devin |
|---|---|---|
AI Capabilities | ||
Autonomous coding | ||
AI modelAdvantage | 5+ providers (Claude, Codex, Gemini…) | Proprietary (GPT-4 + SWE-1.5) |
Model choiceAdvantage | Pick per-task (BYOK) | No choice (proprietary) |
Code review | ||
Interactive planning | ||
Codebase search (AI-powered) | Devin Search | |
Auto-generated wiki | Devin Wiki | |
Custom agent personasExclusive | ||
Development Workflow | ||
Kanban boardExclusive | ||
CRDT real-time syncExclusive | Loro CRDT | |
Git worktreesExclusive | ||
PR creation & review | ||
Terminal accessAdvantage | Full local terminal | Cloud sandbox shell |
Docker managementAdvantage | Sandbox only | |
Parallel agent sessions | ||
Communication & Integrations | ||
TelegramExclusive | ||
DiscordExclusive | ||
Slack | ||
WhatsAppExclusive | ||
Voice commandsExclusive | ||
GitHub integration | ||
Linear / Jira | ||
Microsoft Teams | ||
Pricing | ||
Entry priceAdvantage | Free | $20/mo minimum |
Pro / Core planAdvantage | $19/mo (flat) | $2.25/ACU (pay-per-use) |
Team plan | $49/user/mo | $500/mo (250 ACU included) |
Cost modelAdvantage | BYOK — pay API providers directly | ACU-based (compute time) |
Free tierExclusive | ||
Platform & Privacy | ||
ExecutionAdvantage | Local (macOS) | Cloud sandbox |
Code privacyAdvantage | Code stays on your machine | Code uploaded to cloud |
IDE integration | Native macOS app | Web IDE + VSCode extension |
Offline capabilityAdvantage | Partial |
The Verdict
Different approaches, clear trade-offs
Predictable Pricing
$19/mo flat with BYOK vs Devin's pay-per-use ACU model where costs scale with usage. No compute surprises.
5+ AI Providers
Orchestrate Claude, Codex, Gemini, and more. Choose the best model for each task instead of being locked into one.
Local & Private
Your code stays on your machine. No cloud uploads, no network latency, full control over your environment and secrets.
Frequently asked questions
Local-first. Multi-agent. Free to start.
Bring your own API keys, orchestrate 5+ AI providers, control from Telegram.