Short answer: Local Code: A private, open-source AI agent for Mac, iPad and iPhone that runs frontier-class open models on your own device, with Python, Node.js, a shell, office and media tools and a browser built in, so it can turn files into charts, decks, documents, videos and code without sending them to the cloud. Underdog: 100% local personal AI for email, calendar, meeting notes, dictation and errands — runs on your device, not in the cloud.
Local Code vs Underdog
Sourced facts only. “Unknown” means not verified yet.
Key facts side by side
| Criterion | Local Code | Underdog |
|---|---|---|
| Type | personal agent | personal agent |
| Vendor | Draw Things team (Liu Liu and team, makers of the Draw Things image app) | Conway Research (founded by Sigil Wen, per TechCrunch) |
| Channels / category | Mac app (direct download; Mac App Store release coming soon); the site also lists iPad and iPhone | Mac (invite-only Apple silicon beta); iPhone and iPad on the App Store (no invite needed per site FAQ); Windows BETA; Linux and Android on the way (underdog.ai). TechCrunch (6 Oct 2026) described Macs and Windows initially with Linux, iPhone and Android coming soon. |
| Pricing / availability | Free on your own hardware (USD 0). Optional cloud models: bring your own API keys at no markup, or prepaid cloud credit top-ups from USD 9.99, no subscription. Team setups on request | 100% free because it runs on your computer (underdog.ai/pricing); monetization is a tiny take when the agent buys something with a one-time card (site FAQ). Never ad-supported (TechCrunch). |
| Launched | 2026-10-28 | 2026-10-06 |
| Funding (reported) | Unknown | First round raised April 2026 (underdog.ai); a16z led per a16z announcement (Chris Dixon) and TechCrunch; amount and valuation undisclosed. Investors named on site/TC: Andreessen Horowitz, Khosla Ventures, Hummingbird, Anthology fund (Menlo + Anthropic), SV Angel, Breakneck; angels include Patrick Collison, Naval Ravikant, Guillermo Rauch, Noam Brown (and Deedy Das per TechCrunch). |
| Channels confirmed | Desktop app, Mobile app | Desktop app, Mobile app |
| Verified facts | Released to everyone and made fully open source on 28 Oct 2026, after a public beta that began on 12 Sep 2026; One app combines an inference engine for Apple Silicon, a coding harness tuned to each model and an agent runtime with Python 3.14, Node.js 24, a shell, LibreOffice, FFmpeg and a WebKit browser; Local models: Qwen 3.8 27B (min 16 GB memory), DeepSeek 4 Flash (min 32 GB) and DeepSeek 4.1 Flash 1017 (min 32 GB, 96 GB recommended, 376 GB on disk); SSD streaming lets big models run on smaller Macs; Works offline with a local model; prompts and files stay on the Mac unless you choose a cloud model from Anthropic, OpenAI, OpenRouter or an OpenAI-compatible server; Runs inside Apple's App Sandbox with Hardened Runtime: no full-disk access, cannot launch other apps, and works only in folders you share; With your permission it reads Mail, Messages and Notes (read-only) and can edit Calendar and Photos; Makes slides, explainer videos, charts, images and code, and can drive a browser to log in to a site and book an appointment; Free on your own hardware; optional cloud credits from USD 9.99 or your own API keys at no markup; Source code published under the GPL-3.0 licence | Invite-only beta launched Monday 6 Oct 2026; founder Sigil Wen (Thiel Fellow); company Conway Research; Product: your own AI for email, calendar, meeting notes, dictation and errands; 100% local AI, 100% private; Platforms on site: Mac; iPhone and iPad on App Store; Windows BETA; Linux and Android on the way. Mac invite-only (Apple silicon); iPhone/iPad no invite needed (FAQ); Powered by Husky inference engine Wen built; uses a 27B reasoning model fine-tuned from Qwen3.8-27B (TechCrunch); Models named on site: Woof 4B (fast), Saluki 27B (light), Underdog 27B (smart); Underdog 27B built on Qwen 3.8 27B; site claims 33.7 vs 31.9 for Claude Opus 4.6 Max on Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index (speeds are estimates per site disclaimer); Pricing: 100% free because it runs on your computer; tiny take when agent buys something with a one-time card; Free at first, never ad-supported; plans take a tiny % of payment transactions via Stripe (Patrick Collison angel); Security: passed Leviathan Security Group App Defense Alliance assessment (all 20 requirements); Google approved Gmail/Calendar access; pen tests under way; Privacy: AI processing on device; mail syncs directly with email provider; memories on device; Naval mode never calls home; First funding round raised April 2026 (site); a16z led the round (a16z announcement, 2 Oct 2026); round size undisclosed; Featured in TechCrunch text-agent roundup 10 Oct 2026: invite-only beta early Oct, on-device, Mac/Windows initially, free initially, never advertising |
| Website | https://getlocalcode.app/ | https://underdog.ai/ |
| Sources | [1] [2] [3] | [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] |
| Last checked | 2026-11-11 | 2026-11-11 |
Frequently asked questions
What is Local Code?
A private, open-source AI agent for Mac, iPad and iPhone that runs frontier-class open models on your own device, with Python, Node.js, a shell, office and media tools and a browser built in, so it can turn files into charts, decks, documents, videos and code without sending them to the cloud.
What is Underdog?
100% local personal AI for email, calendar, meeting notes, dictation and errands — runs on your device, not in the cloud.
How much does Local Code cost?
Free on your own hardware (USD 0). Optional cloud models: bring your own API keys at no markup, or prepaid cloud credit top-ups from USD 9.99, no subscription. Team setups on request
How much does Underdog cost?
100% free because it runs on your computer (underdog.ai/pricing); monetization is a tiny take when the agent buys something with a one-time card (site FAQ). Never ad-supported (TechCrunch).
Are Local Code and Underdog the same type of agent?
Local Code is listed as a personal agent and Underdog as a personal agent.
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