Source-available OpenAI Dots alternative
Updated October 7, 2026.
Dots are OpenAI's always-on agents, announced on September 29, 2026. OpenAI says they use GPT-6 Astra, have their own cloud computer, and are rolling out on eligible Pro, Business Premium, and Enterprise plans.
Ork is separate software: source-available AI teammates you can host yourself, with model credentials you bring.
Ork
- You host it
- Any supported model
- Apache baseline + PolyForm NC
Dots
- OpenAI hosts it
- Eligible ChatGPT plans
- Not open source
| Topic | Ork | Dots |
|---|---|---|
| Product | Source-available platform for persistent AI teammates. Ork is in beta. | Always-on agents from OpenAI. OpenAI says a dot learns from feedback and can work toward your goals continuously. |
| Who runs it | You do when you self-host with Docker or point the desktop and mobile apps at a server you operate. Ork runs on the infrastructure you choose. | OpenAI. The announcement says each dot has its own cloud computer. |
| Source | Apache-2.0 baseline, new Ork work under PolyForm Noncommercial or a commercial license. | Hosted product from OpenAI. |
| Model | Bring your own model credentials. Multiple providers are supported, including a custom model server. | GPT-6 Astra, according to OpenAI's announcement. |
| Connections | Composio or Pipedream Connect, or a Treg, remote MCP, or OpenAPI source you install. Bots also get a sandboxed browser, terminal, files, and a graphical desktop. | OpenAI says plugins connect a dot to more than 4,000 apps, and those permissions are shared with ChatGPT. The help center says you can also give a dot its own Slack account. |
| Ongoing work | Each bot keeps conversations, memory, routines, and history. Routines are readable Markdown and can run on a schedule. A bot can delegate to a peer bot or a short-lived subagent. | OpenAI says a dot can keep working in the background. Proactive research can read permitted sources and save private notes. The help center says that research cannot send messages, change content through plugins, or control a browser or computer. |
| Control and availability | A bot can pause for approval at a boundary you set, and actions are recorded in an audit log. The web, desktop, and mobile clients are available with self-hosting now. | Built-in rules and Custom Rules say what a dot may do, must ask about, or must not do. Custom Rules cannot turn off core safety checks. The help center says changing a password or transferring money requires you to take over, and Activity View shows ongoing work. The first dot is included with Pro and Business Premium. Dots are not available to users under 18. OpenAI is also previewing specialist dots for organizations. |
Why source-available and self-hosted
- The source is public on GitHub. The Apache-2.0 baseline stays Apache-2.0. New Ork work uses PolyForm Noncommercial or a separate commercial license.
- You can run the published Docker images, or a source checkout, on a machine you control. The desktop app can start that stack locally or connect to a server you already run.
- You bring the model credentials. Connector credentials are encrypted on the server and are not returned by the API.
- Routines are readable Markdown. A bot can pause for approval at a boundary you set, and actions are recorded in an audit log.
- The web app, the Tauri desktop app, and the Expo mobile app are clients of the same API.
Get started
Run Ork from source on your own infrastructure.
FAQ
Is Ork a replacement for a dot?
No. A dot is an OpenAI agent on an eligible ChatGPT plan. Ork is source-available software you run yourself, with your own model credentials.
Do I need an OpenAI account to use Ork?
No. OpenAI is one supported model connection, not a requirement. You bring credentials for a provider you choose.
Where do the Dots details come from?
The Dots column summarizes OpenAI's September 29, 2026 announcement and OpenAI's Dots privacy, security, and safety FAQ. Check those pages before you rely on a specific capability.