# nanobot — AI Coding Tool Review & Pricing

> nanobot is a lightweight, self-hosted personal AI agent written in Python by the HKU Data Intelligence Lab. You use it in a browser WebUI, the terminal or chat apps to work with files, remember preferences, run shell and web tools, and schedule tasks, with the model provider or local model you choose.

Source: https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/nanobot · Updated Nov 11, 2026 · Category: Personal AI Agents · Published by dosa.dev

## At a glance

- **Tool**: nanobot
- **Company**: HKUDS (HKU Data Intelligence Lab)
- **Category**: [Personal AI Agents](https://ai.dosa.dev/category/personal-agents)
- **Pricing model**: Open Source
- **Official website**: https://nanobot.wiki

## Key features

- Browser WebUI, terminal and a long-running gateway
- Chat apps including Telegram, Discord, Slack, WeChat, Feishu, Teams, email, Mattermost and Linear
- Shell, web search and fetch, MCP integrations, cron and image generation
- Long-term memory, long-horizon goals and scheduled automations
- Multi-agent delegation
- OpenAI-compatible APIs, local LLMs and fallback models
- Python SDK and install via `uv tool install nanobot-ai` or pip

## Pricing

**Model**: Open Source

nanobot is free and open source under the MIT license. It does not supply a model account: you bring a supported model provider or a local model server, and any provider fees apply.

## Who it is for

- **Best for**: Developers who want a small, readable personal agent they can self-host, extend in Python and reach from their chat apps.
- **Not ideal for**: People who want a polished hosted assistant with no setup, or who are not comfortable managing model credentials and a local service.

## Verdict

One of the most popular open-source personal agents, with a small core and wide channel and model support.

## Recent updates

v0.4.1 shipped on November 6, 2026, following v0.4.0 on October 28, 2026; the repository has about 50,000 GitHub stars.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is nanobot free?

Yes - nanobot is Open Source. nanobot is free and open source under the MIT license. It does not supply a model account: you bring a supported model provider or a local model server, and any provider fees apply.

### Is nanobot open source?

Yes - nanobot is open source. nanobot is free and open source under the MIT license. It does not supply a model account: you bring a supported model provider or a local model server, and any provider fees apply.

### Who is nanobot best for?

Developers who want a small, readable personal agent they can self-host, extend in Python and reach from their chat apps.

### Who is nanobot not ideal for?

People who want a polished hosted assistant with no setup, or who are not comfortable managing model credentials and a local service.

### What are the best nanobot alternatives?

The closest nanobot alternatives on ai.dosa.dev are OpenClaw, Hermes Agent, OpenHuman - all listed under Personal AI Agents.

### Who makes nanobot?

nanobot is developed by HKUDS (HKU Data Intelligence Lab). It is listed in the Personal AI Agents category on ai.dosa.dev.

## Top alternatives

- [OpenClaw](https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/openclaw) (Open Source) — Developers and power users who require a highly customizable, private AI assistant that can be accessed from mobile chat apps and integrated into complex, multi-step workflows.
- [Hermes Agent](https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/hermes-agent) (Open Source) — Users needing a persistent, autonomous assistant that can operate across multiple platforms, automate complex workflows, and learn from experience over time.
- [OpenHuman](https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/openhuman) (Freemium) — Users and developers needing a lightweight, high-performance orchestration harness for complex, long-running agent fleets and durable workflow automation.
- [nenva](https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/nenva) (Freemium) — Mac users who prioritize data sovereignty and privacy, requiring an assistant that integrates with local files and personal accounts without cloud storage.
- [Hob](https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/hob) (Open Source) — Developers and privacy-conscious users who want a capable, file-aware AI assistant that runs local open-weight models with zero setup, no account and no telemetry.
- [Nod](https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/nod) (Free) — Individuals and solo operators who want a self-hosted agent to handle recurring admin work across their apps and websites with their chosen model.
- Full alternatives guide: https://ai.dosa.dev/tools/nanobot/alternatives