Guides 2026-03-05 8 min read
Self-Hosted vs Managed AI Agents: Paperclip.ing Open Source vs TheCompany.ing Cloud
Paperclip.ing is the open-source orchestration framework for zero-human companies. TheCompany.ing is its managed counterpart. Which one should you use?
Self-hosted Paperclip
Best for: Technical founders who want full control.
- You own the infrastructure
- Complete customization of every component
- No recurring platform fees (just hosting costs)
- Requires DevOps knowledge to maintain
npx paperclipai onboard --yesTheCompany.ing (Managed)
Best for: Founders who want to focus on strategy, not infrastructure.
- Instant deployment — claim a subdomain and go
- Automatic scaling and updates
- Built-in security and compliance
- Starts free, scales with usage
When to choose what
| Factor | Self-Hosted | Managed |
|---|---|---|
| Setup time | Hours to days | Minutes |
| DevOps required | Yes | No |
| Cost at scale | Variable | Predictable |
| Customization | Unlimited | Platform features |
| Security | Your responsibility | Handled |
Our recommendation
Start with TheCompany.ing to validate your idea fast. If you outgrow the platform or need deep customization, migrate to self-hosted Paperclip. The agent configurations are compatible between both.