Open Computer Orchestration

Open Computer Orchestration (OCO) is a self-hosted platform for managing computer and mobile-device fleets. It suits organizations that want deployment, patching and operating-system installation under their own control. Its breadth is compelling, but commercial users should weigh the per-device license against the 20-device free allowance.

Overview

OCO brings Linux, macOS and Windows computers together with Android and iOS devices in one web interface. Alongside inventory, software deployment and patch management, it can automate operating-system installation, so it reaches beyond application rollout into broader endpoint provisioning.

Administrators can review each software job’s exit code and command output, an operationally useful record when a deployment fails or needs follow-up. Policies, installed-software lists, custom reports and fine-grained roles and permissions support controlled administration. Remote app removal, scheduled deployments and third-party app patching are also supported.

The software is open source and self-hosted on premise. A cloud-hosted trial can be requested, while commercial support, environment-specific adjustments and custom report development are available by arrangement. The JSON-RPC API and extensions for scheduled Wake On Lan, kiosk shutdown, automatic package creation and PC installation workflows give teams ways to adapt and automate operations.

See our Application Deployment Software list for more options in this category.

Key features

Fleet inventory and deployment: Inventory, software deployment, patch management and remote removal cover routine endpoint work across the supported computer and mobile platforms. The agent-based deployment method means endpoints use an agent rather than relying on a purely agentless approach.

Job visibility: Exit codes and command output for software jobs help administrators distinguish successful runs from jobs needing investigation.

Policies and access: Policies, software inventories and granular roles help separate management responsibilities and maintain oversight.

Provisioning and automation: Automated operating-system installation, scheduled deployments and workflow extensions make OCO relevant to teams managing repeatable setup as well as ongoing software maintenance.

Customization: Custom reports, a JSON-RPC API and commercial adjustments can accommodate workflows that standard deployment tools may not cover, though bespoke work is arranged commercially.

Pricing

OCO is freemium, with a free plan and a free trial. The Free plan costs free and covers 20 managed devices. That is a useful starting point for small fleets and evaluation, but it does not remove the commercial licensing threshold: the project requires a license to manage more than 20 computers in a commercial environment.

The Enterprise license costs €299 a year, billed per device for one year. It applies to additional devices beyond the 20 free devices, and individual conditions are available on request. Because the charge is per device and annual, organizations should account for fleet growth and the renewal period when estimating ongoing costs. The free allowance is the better fit for a small qualifying deployment; larger commercial fleets should clarify their individual conditions before scaling.

Platforms

OCO supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, web, API and self-hosted environments. The server runs 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. This gives Linux-capable teams flexibility in server distribution, but hosting and maintaining the stack remain the organization’s responsibility.

Who it's for

OCO is a strong fit for organizations managing mixed computer and mobile fleets that want inventory, patching, deployment and operating-system installation in a self-hosted system. Its roles, policies, job output and API make it particularly relevant to teams that need controlled administration or want to automate their own workflows.

It is less suitable for organizations that want a fully managed service as their normal operating model or lack capacity to maintain a Linux server and its database and web stack. Small commercial teams should also keep the 20-device threshold in view; larger organizations need to assess the per-device annual license and individual conditions.

Pros and cons

Pro: One system spans five major computer and mobile operating systems, with inventory, deployment, patching and automated OS installation.

Pro: Per-job exit codes and command output provide concrete deployment diagnostics rather than just a record that a job was launched.

Pro: Open-source, self-hosted operation, a JSON-RPC API and workflow extensions suit teams that want control and customization.

Con: Self-hosting requires a Linux server with MariaDB, Apache2 and PHP 7.3 or newer, adding infrastructure and maintenance work.

Con: Commercial management beyond 20 computers requires a per-device annual license, so costs rise with fleet size.

Con: Commercial support and tailored adjustments are by arrangement, which means teams needing those services should establish terms directly.

Alternatives

ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus is worth comparing for teams wanting a freemium option with a free edition for up to 20 workstations and five servers, or a cloud plan priced at $34.50 a month.

FileWave offers a free Community Edition with limits of 15 computers, 15 tablets and 15 Chrome devices; consider it when those device caps match the fleet.

Fleet is another open-source choice with a free version the maker says will always be free; compare it when that commitment is a priority.

OPSI has a free Community plan with unlimited devices, core features and one worker process, making it a relevant comparison for teams focused on device limits.

Patch My PC offers a free Home Updater for non-commercial Windows desktop and server use, or an Enterprise Plus plan at $3.50 a year; it is a narrower platform match for Windows-focused needs.

AppPorter is another paid option spanning Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows.

baramundi Management Suite offers a hosted SaaS version with a free trial and no free plan, for readers comparing a service-based option.

Canonical Landscape is a Linux-focused alternative with a free self-hosted plan that can work offline and in air-gapped environments.

Verdict

Choose OCO if you need broad, self-hosted management across computers and mobile devices, especially when operating-system installation, deployment diagnostics and workflow customization matter. Its open-source foundation and extensive management scope are strong reasons to consider it. Look elsewhere if you need managed hosting as the default or if the annual per-device license beyond 20 computers does not fit your commercial fleet.