Sidemates and OpenMausBot compared
OpenMausBot and Sidemates are both open-source teams of AI bots. OpenMausBot is far more widely used. Sidemates is the simpler one on a Mac.
Last updated 2 October 2026. Details about OpenMausBot come from its public pages (linked below) and can change. If something is out of date, tell us. See the full comparison with the other options.
What OpenMausBot is
OpenMausBot (Apache-2.0, created 11 August 2026) calls itself an open-source alternative to Grok Bot. It is a chat app with a roster of bots, each with its own personality, model and tools, and it runs on the Claude, Codex and Grok command-line tools you already have installed. It works on macOS, Windows, Ubuntu, Android and iOS, with npm and Docker installs. A paid Pro plan adds an always-on cloud workspace.
Side by side
| Sidemates | OpenMausBot | |
|---|---|---|
| Aimed at | Ordinary Mac users: one-line install, no command-line tools | Developers who already use the Claude, Codex or Grok command-line tools |
| Where it runs | macOS (Windows and Linux builds are not released yet) | macOS, Windows, Ubuntu, Android, iOS; npm and Docker |
| Your Mac's Mail, Calendar, Notes and files | Yes: Mail, Calendar, Reminders, Notes, Contacts and Messages | App connections and control of your computer; no local Mail, Calendar or Notes tools that we know of |
| Price | Free and open source (MIT). You pay only for the AI you connect. | Free app; Pro from $49 a month (launch price) for the cloud workspace |
| License | MIT | Apache-2.0, with a separately licensed enterprise folder |
| Community | Very early: a handful of stars | About 3,900 stars and 1,900 Discord members |
When to choose which
Choose OpenMausBot if you…
- use Windows, Linux or want phone apps
- already work with the Claude, Codex or Grok command-line tools
- want a paid always-on cloud workspace
- want a large, active community around the project
Choose Sidemates if you…
- are on a Mac and want it to just work, without command-line tools
- want your team in your own Mail, Calendar, Notes and Messages
- don't want any paid tier
- like a simpler, calmer setup
Try Sidemates
On a Mac (macOS 13 or later), one line installs it. No administrator password, and the installer checks the download's fingerprint. Read the installer first if you like.
curl -fsSL https://sidemates.app/install.sh | sh
Then connect an AI (a free Gemini key is enough to start) and make your first teammate, or add a ready-made one from the gallery. Source code and docs: github.com/PrisacariuRobert/sidemates.
Questions
Is Sidemates an alternative to OpenMausBot?
Yes, for Mac users who want a simpler setup. Both are open-source teams of AI bots. OpenMausBot is aimed at developers and runs on more platforms; Sidemates is aimed at ordinary Mac users and works in your own Mail, Calendar, Notes and Messages.
Which is better, Sidemates or OpenMausBot?
It depends on you. OpenMausBot is the better pick on Windows or Linux, for phone apps, for command-line users and for a cloud workspace. Sidemates is the better pick on a Mac if you want a one-line install and your own Mac apps.
Does Sidemates have a paid plan?
Not today. Sidemates is free, MIT-licensed software, and you pay only for the AI you connect.