AI coding assistants
Orca: review, pricing, data and alternatives
Orca lets people developing applications run multiple programming agents in parallel. It isolates tasks in worktrees, supports reviewing code differences and provides an integrated browser for application testing. A free tier exists. Access and transparency score: 58/100, #18 of 31 in its category.
| Access | 15/30 | |
|---|---|---|
| Openness | 20/30 | |
| Trust | 23/40 |
What is Orca?
Orca lets people developing applications run multiple programming agents in parallel. It isolates tasks in worktrees, supports reviewing code differences and provides an integrated browser for application testing.
According to its documentation, Orca lets you:
- run multiple programming agents in parallel
- isolate each task in a worktree
- review and comment on code differences
- test an application in an integrated browser
- monitor agents from a phone
We file it under AI coding assistants, the category of tools to write and fix code, and it also overlaps with developer tools. The category lists 31 verified tools on this site.
The publisher is Lovecast Inc..
Who is it for?
It is mostly useful to these profiles: developers. The need it covers is simple to state: write and fix code.
Orca is a good candidate if:
- you want to try before paying
- you also work from your phone
- you must keep your data in Europe or on your own machine
- you want to read the code or host it yourself
Before deciding, run a trial on a real task and measure the time saved: it is the only criterion that really counts.
How much does Orca cost?
Pricing model: open source (public code). Basic use costs nothing.
To estimate what the same work would cost done directly with an AI model, use our API price calculator. Prices change often: always check the official site before subscribing.
Data and privacy
According to its privacy policy, data is processed on your device (local processing).
Local processing is the most favourable case: your files do not leave your machine for the features concerned.
Exporting your content: Fichiers HTML et Markdown partageables comme artefacts. Being able to get your data back makes switching tools easier later.
Three habits apply to every AI tool:
- turn off the use of your content for training if the option exists
- use a work account separate from your personal account
- review everything the tool produces before publishing or sending it
Platforms, languages and API
Orca runs on: Windows, macOS, Linux, iPhone and iPad, and Android.
Interface languages: English, Chinese (China), Korean, Japanese, and Spanish.
API availability is not documented.
The source code is public: stablyaistablyai/orca.
How we scored it
Our 58/100 score does not judge output quality: it measures what can be publicly verified about access to the tool, its openness and how far the publisher can be trusted.
| Criterion | Points | What counts |
|---|---|---|
| Access | 15/30 | free tier, published price, French interface |
| Openness | 20/30 | API, data export, open code |
| Trust | 23/40 | identified publisher, declared hosting, age, presence in reference lists |
The full calculation is explained on our method page.
Comparison with alternatives
Orca against other tools in the aI coding assistants category:
| Tool | Free | Entry price | API | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orca | Yes | not published | – | 58 |
| Codex | Yes | $8 per month | Yes | 90 |
| aider | Yes | not published | Yes | 78 |
| Kilo | Yes | $15 per month | Yes | 78 |
| GitHub Copilot | Yes | $10 per month | Yes | 75 |
| Amazon Q Developer | Yes | $19 per month | – | 71 |
| OpenCode | Yes | $10 per month | Yes | 71 |
| Amp | Yes | $20 per month | Yes | 70 |
Verdict
Orca is a decent option; compare its price and terms with the category leaders.
Strengths
- Free tier to try it
- Public source code
- Local processing available
- Available on many platforms
Alternatives
- Codexfree tier
- aiderfree tier
- Kilofree tier
- GitHub Copilotfree tier
- Amazon Q Developerfree tier
- OpenCodefree tier
Categories and jobs
Learn more
Frequently asked questions
Is Orca free?
Yes, a free plan exists, with usage limits.
Where is Orca data stored?
According to the publisher, on your device (local processing).
Does Orca have an API?
It is not documented.
What are the alternatives to Orca?
In the same category: Codex, aider, Kilo, and GitHub Copilot.
Orca or Codex: which one to choose?
Our score is 58/100 for Orca and 90/100 for Codex. Try both on the same task before paying.
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Neutrality. No affiliate links. No vendor pays to be reviewed, rated or ranked. Reviews are directed by François Chollet, neutral and factual, and every data point is dated and sourced. How we score