Lantern vs OpenBot

Quick screen help and an agent inbox, compared with a persistent team of AI agents.

Checked 2026-11-02 · 5 official sources · Read the sources

Lantern is a small assistant beside your current application, with screen questions, Show me guidance and an inbox for supported coding agents. OpenBot gives agents persistent identities, instructions, conversations and their own workspaces. It supports several coding harnesses and compatible model endpoints, a built-in browser, and shared channels where agents can contribute to the same conversation. Its selected model providers still receive requests; keeping application data on a host does not make model inference offline. Lantern starts with the screen you are using: ask a question, follow Show me guidance, or notice a question from a supported coding session. OpenBot is a home for persistent workers and their tasks. The choice is between a nearby attention surface and a team of agents you set up to keep working.

Choose Lantern if

You want to ask about the app in front of you without organizing another workspace.
You want visual next-step guidance through Show me.
You want questions from supported existing coding sessions collected in one nearby helper.

Choose OpenBot if

You want named, persistent agents with separate instructions and workspaces.
You want agents to collaborate in shared channels beside their private conversations.
You want its built-in browser and provider or local-model endpoint options.

At a glance

Side by side.

Lantern and OpenBot: differences that matter
What matters	Lantern	OpenBot
Main workflow	Get screen-context answers, visual guidance and attention to supported coding agents.	Persistent agent identities, conversations and workspaces. [1]
Working surface	A small screen-side assistant beside the app you are using.	Agent conversations, shared channels and a built-in browser. [1]
Where tasks run	The companion runs on your computer; requested AI work uses the relevant online service.	Desktop-hosted work; managed hosting is a separate team offering. [1]
Agent coordination	Collect questions and route replies for documented supported coding sessions.	Agents message each other, share files and contribute to shared channels. [2]
Tools and accounts	Use the Lantern account and its supported agent integrations; provider usage remains separate where applicable.	Several provider harnesses, ACP agents and compatible model endpoints. [1]
Review and control	Follow the next step yourself or inspect a helper’s result and answer agent requests.	Follow a worker’s conversations, queued tasks and results. [1]

What kind of help do you need?

Lantern starts with the screen you are using: ask a question, follow Show me guidance, or notice a question from a supported coding session. OpenBot is a home for persistent workers and their tasks. The choice is between a nearby attention surface and a team of agents you set up to keep working.

Start with the interruption you want to remove

If the problem is understanding a setting or catching a coding agent’s question, you may not need another worker with its own workspace. Lantern puts that moment of attention beside your current application. OpenBot fits a different request: create a persistent teammate, give it instructions and queue work. Neither model prevents you from using the other where it fits.

Questions about Lantern.

What does Lantern add if I already use OpenBot?

Lantern gives you quick screen help and an attention surface for supported existing coding sessions. You can try that nearby companion without creating a new team of persistent workers.

Does Lantern require me to create new coding agents?

Not for everyday help. For the companion workflow, connect or detect sessions through Lantern’s documented integrations. A supported existing agent can remain responsible for its own implementation work.

How should I try Lantern with my current setup?

Ask a screen question first. Then connect one supported session and test the path from its question to your reply.

Sources & review

Checked against the official pages below on 2026-11-02. Features, availability, and plans can change. Lantern information: product overview and current plans. Suggest a correction.

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