Open Computer Orchestration

Open Computer Orchestration (OCO) centrally manages Linux, macOS, and Windows computers alongside Android and iOS devices through a web interface. It provides inventory, software deployment, patch management, policies, installed-software lists, and fine-grained roles and permissions. For software jobs, it tracks exit codes and command output. OCO can automate operating-system installation and generate custom reports. Its JSON-RPC API supports customization and workflow automation, while extensions cover scheduled Wake On Lan and kiosk shutdown, automatic package creation, and PC installation workflows. The open-source software is self-hosted on premise; users can run their own server or request a cloud-hosted trial. The server can run on any Linux distribution and uses MariaDB, Apache2, and PHP 7.3 or newer. The documented admin client supports Chromium-based browsers version 80 or newer and Firefox version 80 or newer. Up to 20 devices are free. For commercial environments managing more than 20 computers, the listed Enterprise license costs €299 a year per additional device for one year.

OCO combines inventory and software management with workflow automation and device policies. Its free tier covers up to 20 devices, while commercial use above that limit requires a license.

OCO suits organizations managing a mix of desktop computers and mobile devices that can host or request a server. It is especially relevant to administrators needing software deployment, patching, and policy controls.

Open Computer Orchestration is an open-source control center for mixed fleets of computers and mobile devices. It suits organizations willing to operate their own Linux-based management server and needing inventory, deployment, patching, and policy controls in one system. The trade-off is administrative responsibility that hosted-first tools avoid.

Overview

OCO manages Linux, macOS, and Windows computers alongside Android and iOS devices from a web interface. Its scope goes beyond application delivery: administrators can maintain hardware and software inventories, apply patches, remove applications remotely, and automate operating-system installation. That makes it a candidate for teams managing diverse endpoints rather than a narrow software catalog.

Each software job records its exit code and command output, giving administrators a concrete way to diagnose failed or incomplete deployments. Installed-software lists, policy management, custom reports, and fine-grained roles and permissions add governance for environments where access and configuration need to be controlled separately.

The project is open source and self-hosted on premise. A cloud-hosted trial can be requested, but ongoing operation remains most attractive to organizations with Linux administration capability. Commercial support, environment-specific adjustments, and custom report development are available by arrangement. For a broader category comparison, see our Application Deployment Software list.

Key features

• Mixed-device inventory: One web interface covers desktop operating systems plus Android and iOS, useful when a single team oversees both computers and mobile endpoints.
• Deployment and patch control: Agent-based delivery supports scheduled deployments, third-party application patching, and remote app removal. This is more operationally useful than a one-time installer because administrators can schedule maintenance and clean up software remotely.
• Auditable jobs: Exit codes and command output are retained for each software job, providing actionable evidence when a rollout needs troubleshooting.
• Policies and access: Policies, installed-software lists, and fine-grained roles and permissions help separate administrative duties and enforce configuration standards.
• Operating-system workflows: Automated OS installation extends OCO into provisioning, while extensions add scheduled Wake On Lan, kiosk shutdown, automatic package creation, and PC installation workflow automation.
• Customization: A JSON-RPC API supports integrations and workflow automation, and custom reports can be built for organizations with reporting requirements beyond the standard interface.

Pricing

The Free plan costs $0 and covers up to 20 managed devices. It is a practical starting point for small teams or evaluation, but the 20-device ceiling is decisive: the project requires a license to manage more than 20 computers in a commercial environment.

The Enterprise license costs €299 per device per year, billed for one year. It applies to additional devices beyond the 20 free devices, with individual conditions available on request. That structure keeps a small fleet free while making expansion a per-device annual commitment; organizations should confirm their specific commercial terms before scaling. A free trial is offered, including a cloud-hosted trial by request, so teams can assess the workflow before committing to server operations or licensing.

Platforms

OCO supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, web access, an API, and self-hosted deployment. The server runs on any Linux distribution and uses MariaDB, Apache2, and PHP 7.3 or newer. The documented administration client supports Chromium-based browsers and Firefox version 80 or newer. These requirements favor organizations comfortable maintaining a Linux application stack; they are less appealing to buyers seeking a fully managed service with no server upkeep.

Who it's for

OCO is a strong fit for schools, businesses, and other organizations with mixed operating systems, internal Linux expertise, and a preference for open-source, on-premise control. It is especially relevant when deployment evidence, policy enforcement, OS provisioning, and custom automation matter together.

It is a weaker choice for a small commercial fleet expected to exceed 20 computers quickly, because additional devices require the annual per-device Enterprise license. Teams without capacity to maintain MariaDB, Apache2, PHP, and the surrounding server should favor a hosted alternative.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Broad endpoint coverage: Computers and Android/iOS devices can be managed in one system.
• Useful deployment evidence: Exit codes and command output make failed jobs easier to investigate.
• Deep operational scope: OS installation, scheduled deployments, patching, Wake On Lan, kiosk shutdown, and package automation reach beyond basic inventory.
• Open-source control: Self-hosting and a JSON-RPC API support customization and internal workflow integration.
• Low-cost entry: Up to 20 devices are free, with a trial available.

Cons

• Server ownership: On-premise operation requires a Linux stack with MariaDB, Apache2, and PHP 7.3 or newer.
• Commercial scaling cost: Devices beyond the free allowance require a €299-per-device annual Enterprise license.
• Browser baseline: Administration depends on Chromium or Firefox 80 or newer.

Alternatives

ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus is worth choosing when a freemium patch-management product with a free allowance for up to 20 workstations and five servers better matches the fleet model.

FileWave suits readers who want a forever-free Community Edition covering up to 15 computers, 15 tablets, and 15 Chrome devices.

Fleet is an alternative for teams seeking a public-source project whose free version is stated to remain free.

Pushlink is a narrower option for Android-focused deployments, with a free tier for up to five installations.

AppPorter is a paid alternative for application management across supported desktop and mobile platforms.

AppsAnywhere is a paid option spanning desktop, mobile, web, and self-hosted environments.

baramundi Management Suite is a paid suite with a free trial and a hosted SaaS edition.

Bitnami Application Stacks is a free, Linux-focused choice for packaged application stacks rather than a full mixed-device management platform.

Verdict

Choose OCO if you need open-source, self-hosted management for a mixed computer and mobile fleet, especially when deployment auditing, policies, OS installation, and API-driven automation are priorities. Look elsewhere if you want a hands-off hosted service or expect commercial device counts to grow well beyond 20 without a per-device annual license.