# LVLZ vs OpenInstinct: hosted vs self-hosted iMessage agent

> OpenInstinct is an open-source iMessage assistant you deploy to your own Vercel account. LVLZ is a hosted agent with a workspace. How they compare on setup, cost and features.

OpenInstinct is an MIT-licensed, self-hosted iMessage assistant that uses a browser; you deploy it to your own Vercel Pro account with Linq, Kernel and Neon, and pay for those services. LVLZ is a hosted agent with a workspace, tasks and projects, custom tables, shared workspaces and model routing, ready in minutes. Pick OpenInstinct if you want to run and read every line yourself; pick LVLZ if you want it working without the setup.

## At a glance

| | LVLZ | OpenInstinct |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Setup | Sign up, verify your number, name your agent | Deploy to your own Vercel account and connect Linq, Kernel and Neon |
| Cost | Personal $19, Pro $49, Business $149 a month, 7-day free trial | Free software; Vercel Pro is required, plus usage of the services |
| Source code | Hosted service | Open source, MIT license |
| How you reach it | iMessage on one shared number; WhatsApp on the same number (Soon) | iMessage through Linq |
| Errands on websites | Cloud browser for bookings, forms and shopping | Yes, in a Kernel cloud browser |
| Passwords and cards | Encrypted vault, filled in server-side so the model never sees it | Encrypted vault with browser autofill |
| Workspace | app.lvlz.ai: tasks, projects, tables, files and every action it took | Web chat and settings |
| Tasks, projects and tables | Your own tables and fields, created from a text | Not included |
| Teams and shared workspaces | Shared workspaces with roles | Not included; one owner per deployment |
| Agent to agent | Ask a friend’s agent, by mutual consent | Not included |
| Choice of AI model | Pick the model per task, with fallback and a cost cap | Any model through Vercel AI Gateway |

## Choose LVLZ if

- You want it working in minutes without accounts at four infrastructure providers.
- You want tasks, projects, tables and a team workspace around the agent.
- You want updates and fixes without maintaining a deployment.

## Choose OpenInstinct if

- You want to self-host and audit the code.
- You are a developer who wants to change how the agent works.
- You already pay for Vercel Pro.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does LVLZ add over OpenInstinct?

A hosted service with nothing to deploy, plus a workspace, tasks and projects, custom tables, shared workspaces and agent-to-agent features.

### Is OpenInstinct free?

The software is free and open source. Running it needs a Vercel Pro plan and usage of services such as Linq, Kernel and Neon, some of which have free tiers.

## Sources

Checked 2026-10-17. “Not described” means we found no mention on the product’s own pages or the sources below.

- [OpenInstinct on GitHub (MIT license)](https://github.com/Merit-Systems/OpenInstinct)
- [LVLZ features and status](https://lvlz.ai/features)
- [LVLZ pricing](https://lvlz.ai/pricing)