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THE INDEPENDENT AI.

HYPE OR FACT? · CHECKED 2 NOVEMBER 2026

Rerun: "fully open-source alternative to Grok Bot, Dots and Duet… unlimited seats for FREE"

OUR VERDICT

Partly fact

Our original verdict: “Fact or hype: partly fact. The code really is open source and seats really are unlimited, but it isn't "fully" open, and it is only free if you host it yourself. The hosted link in the post leads to a 5-day trial that needs a card, then $29/month.”

THE CLAIM

“Introducing the fully open-source alternative to Grok Bot, Dots and Duet. Use Rerun with your ChatGPT and Claude subscriptions, or any other model. Unlimited seats for FREE! The mobile app will be available this week. Use for free: rerun.build”

@rerun_build · Original post ↗

What’s actually true

  • The open-source part is real. github.com/rerun-build/rerun holds the app, the engine and the docs (about 3,400 files) under AGPL-3.0. It went public on 29 Oct 2026, and the README has a working self-host guide (Docker, Node.js 22, a Supabase project, an OpenRouter key).
  • "Fully" is stretched. Rerun's own comparison lists what the open-source build leaves out: LinkedIn Pro and WhatsApp Pro, paid data, the template library, email notifications and invitations, phone/Google/Apple sign-in, the Weekly Rewind and the iOS app, which talks to Rerun Cloud only.
  • "Free" is true only for self-hosting, where you pay for your own server, database and models, with community support only. The "Use for free" link goes to Rerun Cloud, where the pricing page says a card starts a 5-day trial (3 coworkers, 350 credits) and the plan is then $29/month for 5 coworkers and 500 credits, plus VAT. That's why the link card says "Free 5-day trial".
  • "Unlimited seats" is true. Every Cloud plan says unlimited seats with no per-user fees, and the self-host docs say there is no plan or limit on your own install. You pay per coworker and per credit, not per person.
  • Using your Claude or ChatGPT plan works, but not through an approved route. Rerun's code comments say it reuses Claude Code's and the Codex CLI's own sign-in clients, calling them "an undocumented/private flow" that could be changed or revoked. Anthropic's Claude Code terms say third-party developers may not offer Claude.ai login in their own apps or store users' session tokens; only signing in to the unmodified Claude Code program yourself is allowed. For ChatGPT, Rerun isn't using OpenAI's official Sign in with ChatGPT programme. Your own API key is the safe option.
  • The mobile app isn't out yet. The post says "this week". We found no Rerun app in the App Store search on 2 Nov, although Rerun's docs already describe an iPhone app that works with Rerun Cloud only.
  • Who's behind it: Reunit SA of Bertrange, Luxembourg, a two-person team (Clément Janssens, CEO, and Théo Louro). The hosted product existed before the open-source launch (its refund policy is dated 13 Aug 2026), but the @rerun_build account was created on 29 Oct 2026. The "2,000+ users" figure is Rerun's own.
  • We haven't watched the 46-second launch video. This check uses the post, Rerun's website, docs and GitHub repo, and Anthropic's and OpenAI's published pages.

Sources

Cost

Self-hosted: free (AGPL-3.0); you pay for server, Supabase and models. Cloud: 5-day trial with a card, then $29/month (5 coworkers, 500 credits), unlimited seats, VAT extra.

USE IT IF

Small teams who want shared AI coworkers with no per-seat fees, and developers happy to self-host and read the code.

SKIP IT IF

Anyone expecting a free hosted service, or planning to run it on a Claude Pro/Max plan without checking Anthropic's terms. Also not for automating a LinkedIn account you can't afford to lose.

Related AI tools

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How we knowChecked on 2 November 2026. Verdicts: Fact = the claim holds up; Partly fact = real, but with caveats or overstated parts; Hype = the headline claim isn't supported. Products change quickly, so check the maker's site before you buy. Our methods & sources ↗