# Paneflow vs Warp

> Paneflow is for developers who already run Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, or other CLI agents and want one local workspace for panes, branches, diffs, sessions, and read-only MCP context. Warp is for developers who want Warp Agent, Oz local/cloud orchestration, Warp Drive, SSO, and a managed platform with credits or BYOK.

URL: https://paneflow.dev/compare/warp
Raw Markdown: https://paneflow.dev/compare/warp.md
Last updated: 2026-07-02

## Highlights

### Keep the agent loop local

Paneflow runs your CLI agents on your machine with no hosted Paneflow runtime. Telemetry is off unless you opt in and sends no terminal content, paths, prompts, or free-form strings.

### Use the agents you already pay for

Paneflow launches Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, and 13 more agents with your subscriptions and your keys. Paneflow adds no credits or quotas.

### Give your agents the context of other panes

Paneflow's MCP server lets an agent read logs, tests, or the output of another pane without copy-paste. Warp connects to MCP servers, but the repo does not show a Paneflow-style pane server.

## Quick comparison

The decision comes down to runtime model, billing, context sharing, and team platform needs.

| Topic | Paneflow | Warp |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Local OSS, no Paneflow cloud | OSS terminal + proprietary cloud (Oz) |
| License | GPL-3.0-or-later | AGPL-3.0 (client; UI crates MIT); Oz + Drive proprietary |
| Account required | No | No for the terminal (AI tied to account) |
| Telemetry | Off unless opted in; no terminal content, paths, prompts, or free-form strings | On by default; required for AI on Free |
| AI credits / quotas | No Paneflow credits (your subscriptions) | Monthly AI and platform credits by plan; paid add-ons above |
| Coding agents | 16 CLI launchers for your agents; detailed status for Claude Code and Codex | Warp Agent + Oz local/cloud orchestration + BYOK + third-party CLIs |
| MCP server (agents read your panes) | Yes (exposes panes) | Connects to MCP servers; no pane server found |
| Platforms | Linux x86_64/aarch64, macOS ARM, Windows x64 | macOS, Linux, Windows |
| Language / rendering | Rust, GPU-native (GPUI) | Rust, GPU-native (in-house engine) |
| Cloud orchestration / team features | No hosted/team orchestration service | Yes (Oz, Warp Drive, SSO - paid) |
| Backing / model | Indie OSS | VC-backed managed platform |
| Review workflow | Multi-worktree diff + review prompt launched in a pane | Code review and agent surfaces exist; different loop |

Versions: Paneflow v0.7.6 (July 2026). Warp client open-sourced in April 2026. Pricing: Paneflow is free software under GPL-3.0-or-later. Warp has a free tier and paid plans: Build starts around $20/month, Business around $50/user/month. Warp credit rules vary by plan, and platform credit billing began on July 1, 2026.

## Which tool should you use?

Choose based on where your agents need to work and how much cloud service you need.

### Choose Paneflow if

- You want your agents and your work to stay on your machine
- You already pay for Claude Code, Codex, or OpenCode and want to run them in parallel without buying extra credits
- You want your agents to read other panes over MCP and review your diffs inside Paneflow
- You prefer an independent open-source tool with no proprietary-cloud dependency

### Choose Warp if

- You want Warp Agent without wiring CLI agents yourself
- You want agents that can keep working in the cloud
- You need team features like Warp Drive, SSO, or pooled credits
- A managed platform matters more than local control

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Paneflow a fork of Warp?

No. Independent Rust codebases. Paneflow is built on Zed's GPUI engine with upstream alacritty_terminal; Warp has its own Rust terminal stack, with grid code adapted from Alacritty's model. Both are agent-oriented, but different models: local OSS vs a cloud platform.

### Warp is open source now - what's the difference?

Since April 2026 the Warp client is open source (AGPL-3.0; its UI framework crates are MIT). But Oz, the server, and the Warp Drive backend stay proprietary. Warp's hosted model usage and cloud runs use credits, and telemetry is required to use AI on the free tier. Paneflow is open source end-to-end and orchestrates your own agents locally, with no hosted Paneflow runtime.

### Who pays for the AI - credits vs subscriptions?

Warp meters agent usage with credits; Warp-managed inference and cloud runs consume credits. BYOK avoids inference credits, but platform credits can still apply to cloud agent runs and to local Business or Enterprise use with BYOK or custom inference. Paneflow bills nothing: it launches your CLI agents locally with your subscriptions and keys.

### Does Warp collect data?

Warp's telemetry is on by default and required to use the agent on the free tier. Paid plans allow full opt-out. Paneflow's telemetry is off unless you opt in and never transmits terminal content, paths, prompts, or free-form strings.

### What does Warp do better than Paneflow?

Warp provides Warp Agent, Oz local/cloud orchestration, Warp Drive, SSO, shared credits, and a managed team platform. Choose Warp when those platform features matter more than running your own CLI agents locally. Choose Paneflow to use your existing subscriptions inside a local multi-agent workspace.


## Try the model that works for you

Want a local workspace for your own CLI agents, panes, branches, MCP context, and diffs? Download Paneflow or read the getting-started guide. Prefer Warp Agent, Oz, Warp Drive, SSO, and managed credits? Warp is probably the better fit.