# T3 Code vs Orca (2026): features, agents and mobile By Anurag Sharma | Published 2026-11-04 Source: https://traycer.ai/compare/t3-code-vs-orca > T3 Code vs Orca: both free and open source (MIT). Agents, mobile apps, worktrees and remote access compared, plus when Traycer is the better fit. *By Anurag Sharma. Last checked: November 4, 2026. Disclosure: Traycer makes this page. Every claim links to the vendor's own docs, repo or release page.* T3 Code (by Theo Browne and team) and Orca are both free, open source (MIT) apps for running coding agents you already pay for. T3 Code is a lightweight control surface: the ten providers its docs list plus the ACP Registry, with a web app and iOS and Android apps. Orca is a worktree-first desktop workspace with 27 supported agents, GPU terminals and a design mode. If you want several agents working one shared plan and reviewing each other, Traycer is our pick. Both projects ship almost every day. Check the linked docs for anything that decides it for you. For the wider field, see [the best tools to run coding agents in parallel](https://traycer.ai/compare/best-parallel-coding-agent-tools). ## T3 Code vs Orca at a glance | | T3 Code | Orca | Traycer | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | License and price | MIT. Free: "There's no way to pay us to use T3 Code" ([FAQ](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/blob/main/docs/user/faq.md)) | MIT. "Free and open source" ([onorca.dev](https://www.onorca.dev/)) | Open source (MIT). Free for individuals; team sharing is on the paid Sync plan ([pricing](https://traycer.ai/pricing)) | | Platforms | macOS, Windows and Linux desktop apps, x64 and arm64 ([v0.1.7 release](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/releases/tag/v0.1.7)) | macOS, Windows and Linux, with Linux x64 and arm64 builds ([v1.4.248 release](https://github.com/stablyai/orca/releases/tag/v1.4.248)) | macOS, Windows and Linux desktop apps, plus iOS and Android ([download](https://traycer.ai/download)) | | Agents | Ten built-in providers: Codex, Claude, Cursor, Grok Build, OpenCode, Antigravity, fx, Pi, Muse Code (off by default) and Kiro (early access), plus any ACP Registry agent or local ACP command ([provider docs](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/tree/main/docs/user)) | 27 supported agents, from Claude Code and Codex to Rovo Dev, and any other agent CLI in a terminal ([onorca.dev](https://www.onorca.dev/)) | 22 coding agents and model providers, from Claude Code, Codex and Cursor to Kiro, OpenRouter and Hugging Face ([coding agents](https://docs.traycer.ai/agents-and-models/coding-agents)) | | Parallel worktrees | Yes. Threads can start in a new worktree, with automatic cleanup ([project settings](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/blob/main/docs/user/project-settings.md)) | Yes. "every task gets its own on-disk copy of the repo" ([worktrees](https://www.onorca.dev/docs/model/worktrees)) | Yes. Each agent can run in its own worktree ([worktrees](https://docs.traycer.ai/concepts/worktrees)) | | Shared plan across agents | Partial. Plan and Build modes per thread, plus delegation to child agents ([ACP providers](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/blob/main/docs/user/providers-acp.md)) | Partial. Orchestration tasks with specs and dependencies, Experimental ([orchestration](https://www.onorca.dev/docs/cli/orchestration)) | Yes. One Task holds the specs, tickets and reviews every agent works from ([artifact workflow](https://docs.traycer.ai/concepts/artifact-workflow)) | | Agent-to-agent messaging | Partial. Outside agents can start and message threads over MCP ([outside agents](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/blob/main/docs/user/outside-agents.md)) | Partial. Messages between supervised workers, Experimental ([orchestration](https://www.onorca.dev/docs/cli/orchestration)) | Yes. Agents message each other across Tasks and hosts ([agent-to-agent](https://docs.traycer.ai/concepts/agent-to-agent)) | | Review | Yes. Pull request reviews and guides on desktop, web and mobile ([source control](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/blob/main/docs/user/source-control.md)) | Yes. Diff view plus inline comments sent back to the agent ([Annotate AI Diff](https://www.onorca.dev/docs/review/annotate-ai-diff)) | Yes. Written reviews by a second agent, and ticket batches reviewed against the plan ([review guide](https://docs.traycer.ai/guides/review-agent-changes)) | | Mobile | Yes. iOS and Android apps, plus a web app at app.t3.codes ([FAQ](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/blob/main/docs/user/faq.md)) | Yes. iOS app and Android APK, in beta ([mobile companion](https://www.onorca.dev/docs/mobile)) | Yes. iOS and Android apps on every plan, including Free ([mobile app](https://docs.traycer.ai/account/mobile-app)) | | Remote machines | Yes. Run the server on a desktop, server or VPS, or add an SSH host ([remote access](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/blob/main/docs/user/remote-access.md)) | Yes. SSH worktrees and remote Orca servers ([SSH worktrees](https://www.onorca.dev/docs/ssh)) | Yes. Agents, terminals and files on your other machines ([remote hosts](https://docs.traycer.ai/concepts/hosts/remote-hosts)) | | Team sharing | Partial. Guest links (beta) let one teammate follow a thread ([guest links](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/blob/main/docs/user/guest-links.md)) | Not documented. Checked onorca.dev docs on Nov 4, 2026 | Yes. Invite people to a Task as editors or viewers, or share it with a team ([sharing](https://docs.traycer.ai/panels/sharing)) | | Maturity | About 45,900 GitHub stars on Nov 4, 2026; stable v0.1.7 the same day, plus nightlies | About 115,200 GitHub stars on Nov 4, 2026; v1.4.248 the same day | 11,000+ developers using Traycer Desktop, per traycer.ai | | Best for | The lightest setup, the broadest provider list and a web app | Solo developers who live in worktrees and terminals | Several agents working one plan, and teams | ## What is T3 Code? T3 Code, by Theo Browne and team, calls itself an "agent harness control surface" ([README](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code)). It doesn't replace your agents. It drives the ones already installed and signed in on your machine, using your existing subscriptions. T3 Code's docs list ten providers ([provider docs](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/tree/main/docs/user)). The README names seven: Codex, Claude, Cursor, Grok Build, OpenCode, Google Antigravity and fx. The other three are Pi ([Pi docs](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/blob/main/docs/user/providers-pi.md)), Muse Code, which "is disabled by default" ([Muse docs](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/blob/main/docs/user/providers-muse.md)), and Kiro, an early access provider that arrived as "Kiro (beta)" in [v0.1.7](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/releases/tag/v0.1.7) on November 4, 2026. Beyond those ten, T3 Code can run any agent from the official ACP Registry ([ACP providers](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/blob/main/docs/user/providers-acp.md)). You get an Electron desktop app, a command-line server (`t3`), a hosted web client at [app.t3.codes](https://app.t3.codes/), and iOS and Android apps. The FAQ is clear about how the phone fits: "The phone is a remote. Your computer does the work and needs to stay on" ([FAQ](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/blob/main/docs/user/faq.md)). The team is upfront about maturity: "Expect bugs" ([README](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code)). Stable releases are still 0.1.x, with nightly builds several times a day ([releases](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/releases)). ## What is Orca? Orca is "the agent development environment" from Stably AI, a Y Combinator-backed company ([onorca.dev](https://www.onorca.dev/)). It's a desktop app built around worktrees: "Orca is worktree-native" and "every task gets its own on-disk copy of the repo via git worktree" ([worktrees](https://www.onorca.dev/docs/model/worktrees)). Its homepage lists 27 supported agents, from Claude Code, Codex and Grok to Kiro, Qwen Code and Rovo Dev ([onorca.dev](https://www.onorca.dev/)), and its docs say "Orca works with any CLI agent" ([supported agents](https://www.onorca.dev/docs/agents/supported)). Around the agents you get terminals (onorca.dev calls it a "GPU-rendered terminal with splits"), a diff viewer, a Monaco editor and an embedded Chromium browser with Design Mode. Design Mode sends a clicked element's HTML, CSS and a screenshot to the agent ([Design Mode](https://www.onorca.dev/docs/browser/design-mode)). Orca runs agents on remote machines over SSH ([SSH worktrees](https://www.onorca.dev/docs/ssh)), and its mobile companion for iOS and Android (an APK on Android) is in beta ([mobile companion](https://www.onorca.dev/docs/mobile)). It ships fast. The site says "New features shipped daily" ([onorca.dev](https://www.onorca.dev/)), and v1.4.248 landed on November 4, 2026 ([release](https://github.com/stablyai/orca/releases/tag/v1.4.248)). ## Agents and providers: which runs more? Counting rows, Orca wins: 27 named agents against the ten providers T3 Code's docs list. That count undersells T3 Code, though. Its ACP route is open-ended. Any agent in the ACP Registry, or a local ACP command, shows up next to the built-in providers in the same model picker ([ACP providers](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/blob/main/docs/user/providers-acp.md)). Orca is open-ended in a different way. Its agent picker "just launches a process in a terminal", so any CLI agent runs, with deeper hooks, status and usage tracking for the preconfigured ones ([supported agents](https://www.onorca.dev/docs/agents/supported)). Both run Claude Code and Codex side by side on your own subscriptions. Pick based on how you want to talk to agents: a chat-style thread in T3 Code, or a terminal-first workspace in Orca. Traycer supports 22 coding agents and model providers, from Claude Code and Codex to OpenRouter and Hugging Face ([traycer.ai](https://traycer.ai/)). ## Worktrees and running agents in parallel Both isolate parallel work in git worktrees. Orca builds everything around them. Each worktree has its own branch, files and agent terminals, and you create, review, ship and delete it from one place ([worktrees](https://www.onorca.dev/docs/model/worktrees)). Orca's docs even suggest racing three agents on the same task: "Same prompt, three branches, pick the winner" ([recipe](https://www.onorca.dev/docs/recipes/parallel-agents)). T3 Code makes worktrees a thread option. A thread can start in a new worktree, branch names follow your naming rules, and automatic cleanup is in **Settings > Storage** ([project settings](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/blob/main/docs/user/project-settings.md), [FAQ](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/blob/main/docs/user/faq.md)). Neither tool makes a shared plan the core of parallel work. Orca's orchestration adds tasks with specs and dependencies, and messages between workers, but it's Experimental: you turn it on under Settings → Experimental ([orchestration](https://www.onorca.dev/docs/cli/orchestration)). As of v1.4.248 (November 4, 2026), the Orchestration panel is back as an experimental opt-in after being disabled in v1.4.247 ([release notes](https://github.com/stablyai/orca/releases/tag/v1.4.248)). T3 Code has Plan and Build modes per thread and can delegate to child agents ([ACP providers](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/blob/main/docs/user/providers-acp.md)). ## Mobile and remote access T3 Code has the wider spread of clients. There are iOS and Android apps from the App Store and Google Play, plus [app.t3.codes](https://app.t3.codes/) in any browser. All of them connect to a machine running T3 Code through T3 Connect, LAN pairing or Tailscale ([remote access](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/blob/main/docs/user/remote-access.md)). T3 Connect is free "for now" for up to 3 machines per account ([FAQ](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/blob/main/docs/user/faq.md)). Orca's mobile companion gives you agent status, terminal scrollback, quick replies, source control and new workspaces from your phone. Orca says "the desktop is always the source of truth" ([mobile companion](https://www.onorca.dev/docs/mobile)). Android installs from an APK ([Android install](https://www.onorca.dev/docs/android-apk)). For remote compute, Orca offers SSH worktrees and remote Orca servers ([SSH worktrees](https://www.onorca.dev/docs/ssh)). Traycer's iOS and Android apps are included on every plan, including Free ([mobile app](https://docs.traycer.ai/account/mobile-app)), and Traycer runs agents on your other machines as remote hosts ([remote hosts](https://docs.traycer.ai/concepts/hosts/remote-hosts)). ## Maturity, license and pace Both are MIT-licensed on GitHub ([T3 Code](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code), [Orca](https://github.com/stablyai/orca)). On November 4, 2026, T3 Code had about 45,900 GitHub stars and Orca about 115,200. Orca is further along by version number (v1.4.x) and ships a release most days. T3 Code is pre-1.0 (v0.1.7 stable, with nightlies), and its README says the team is "(mostly) not accepting contributions yet" ([README](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code)). Orca also has an [Enterprise page](https://www.onorca.dev/enterprise). T3 Code says there's no way to pay for it at all ([FAQ](https://github.com/pingdotgg/t3code/blob/main/docs/user/faq.md)). ## Where Traycer fits Traycer is a free, open source (MIT) desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux, with iOS and Android apps ([traycer.ai](https://traycer.ai/)). Like T3 Code and Orca, it runs the agents you already pay for, each in its own worktree. The difference is what ties the agents together: - **One shared plan per Task.** A Task holds the specs, tickets and reviews that every agent works from ([artifact workflow](https://docs.traycer.ai/concepts/artifact-workflow)). - **Agent-to-agent messaging.** Agents create child agents, message each other across Tasks and hosts, and read each other's transcripts ([agent-to-agent](https://docs.traycer.ai/concepts/agent-to-agent)). - **Review against the plan.** The execute skill starts one agent per ticket and "reviews each batch against the plan". A second agent can also write a review of any change ([artifact workflow](https://docs.traycer.ai/concepts/artifact-workflow), [review guide](https://docs.traycer.ai/guides/review-agent-changes)). - **22 coding agents and model providers**, including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, OpenCode and Kiro ([traycer.ai](https://traycer.ai/)). - **Teams.** Invite people to a Task as editors or viewers, or share it with your whole team on the Sync plan ([sharing](https://docs.traycer.ai/panels/sharing), [teams](https://docs.traycer.ai/account/teams)). - **Mobile on Free.** iOS and Android apps on every plan ([pricing](https://traycer.ai/pricing), [mobile app](https://docs.traycer.ai/account/mobile-app)). Per [traycer.ai](https://traycer.ai/), Traycer has 11,000+ developers using Traycer Desktop and 40,000+ tasks created in Traycer Desktop. Traycer is SOC 2 Type 2 certified. **Choose T3 Code if** you want the lightest setup, the broadest provider list through ACP, and a web app as well as phone apps, and you're fine with pre-1.0 software. **Choose Orca if** you live in terminals and worktrees, want an editor, a browser with Design Mode and SSH worktrees in one desktop app, and work mostly solo. For head-to-heads, see [Traycer vs T3 Code](https://traycer.ai/compare/traycer-vs-t3-code) and [Traycer vs Orca](https://traycer.ai/compare/traycer-vs-orca). ## Which should you pick? Our ranking 1. **Traycer:** the pick for several agents building from one plan, reviewing against it and messaging each other, and for teams. It's free for individuals, with mobile included. 2. **Orca:** the pick for worktree-heavy solo developers who live in terminals and want Design Mode and SSH worktrees. 3. **T3 Code:** the pick for the lightest setup, the broadest provider list and a web app, if you can live with "Expect bugs". ## T3 Code vs Orca vs Conductor Conductor is the other name in this comparison. Its desktop app runs only on macOS ([installation](https://www.conductor.build/docs/installation)), and it added an iOS app in [0.90.0](https://www.conductor.build/changelog/0.90.0-conductor-for-ios) on October 2, 2026, listed on the Pro plan ([pricing](https://www.conductor.build/pricing)). T3 Code and Orca are free, open source (MIT) and run on Windows and Linux too. If you're weighing Conductor, see [Conductor alternatives](https://traycer.ai/compare/conductor-alternatives) and [Traycer vs Conductor](https://traycer.ai/compare/traycer-vs-conductor). ## FAQ ### Is T3 Code better than Orca? Neither is better for everyone. T3 Code is the lighter control surface, with the ten providers its docs list, the ACP Registry, a web app and iOS and Android apps. Orca is a fuller desktop workspace with 27 supported agents, worktrees, terminals, Design Mode and SSH worktrees. If you want several agents working from one shared plan, Traycer is our pick. ### Are T3 Code and Orca free and open source? Yes. Both are free and open source (MIT). T3 Code says there is no way to pay for it, and T3 Connect is free for now for up to 3 machines. Orca is free and open source and also has an [Enterprise page](https://www.onorca.dev/enterprise). Traycer is open source (MIT) too, and free for individuals. ### Which works on Windows and Linux? Both. T3 Code and Orca ship desktop apps for macOS, Windows and Linux. So does Traycer, with iOS and Android apps on every plan. ### Do T3 Code and Orca have mobile apps? Yes. T3 Code has iOS and Android apps plus a web app at app.t3.codes. Orca has an iOS app and an Android APK, both in beta. Traycer's iOS and Android apps are included on every plan, including Free. ### What's the best tool to run Claude Code and Codex in parallel? Traycer, because Claude Code, Codex and other agents work from one shared plan per Task, message each other and get reviewed against the plan. Orca is the next pick for worktree-heavy solo work, and T3 Code for the lightest setup with a web app. ### How does Conductor compare to Orca and T3 Code? Conductor's desktop app runs only on macOS, and its iOS app is listed on the Pro plan. T3 Code and Orca are free, open source (MIT) and run on macOS, Windows and Linux. See Conductor alternatives for the full list. ## Try Traycer - [Download Traycer (free, open source)](https://traycer.ai/download) for macOS, Windows or Linux, with the iPhone and Android apps alongside. - [See how agents share one plan](https://docs.traycer.ai/concepts/artifact-workflow)