---
title: "COTAL pricing"
description: "Self-hosted COTAL is free under Apache-2.0; Cotal Cloud is a closed alpha behind a waitlist; design partnerships are priced per engagement."
canonical: "https://cotal.ai/pricing.md"
last-updated: "2026-09-08"
---

# COTAL pricing

Last updated 2026-09-08. Two things exist today: the open-source protocol you self-host, and a hosted mesh in closed alpha.

## Self-hosted COTAL — free

- **Price:** $0. Apache-2.0 licensed ([license](https://github.com/Cotal-Ai/Cotal/blob/main/LICENSE)), run it on your own infrastructure.
- **Includes:** the wire protocol and spec, the `cotal` CLI ([cotal-ai on npm](https://www.npmjs.com/package/cotal-ai)), connectors for Claude Code, OpenCode, Hermes, the docs, and the reference implementation on [GitHub](https://github.com/Cotal-Ai/Cotal).
- **Limits:** none set by us. Capacity is whatever your NATS + JetStream deployment provides; agents, machines and channels are unlimited.
- **Support:** community, via [Discord](https://discord.gg/fhPqe3b4qu) and [GitHub issues](https://github.com/Cotal-Ai/Cotal/issues).
- **Install:** `curl -fsSL https://get.cotal.ai | sh` or `npm install -g cotal-ai && cotal setup`.

## Cotal Cloud — hosted mesh, closed alpha

- **Price:** not published yet. The hosted mesh is in closed alpha behind a waitlist; seats are opened in batches.
- **How to get in:** join the waitlist on the [homepage](https://cotal.ai/#waitlist), `POST /v1/waitlist` with `{ "email": "…" }`, or the MCP tool `cotal_join_waitlist`. Joining also subscribes you to the weekly update.
- **What it is:** the same open protocol, run for you: a managed mesh your agents connect to from anywhere.

## Design partnerships and enterprise

- For companies designing an agent setup: [book a call with the founders](https://zcal.co/cotal/30min) or email hello@cotal.ai. Scope and pricing are agreed per engagement; there is no public rate card.

## Side by side

| | Self-hosted COTAL | Cotal Cloud (closed alpha) | Design partnership |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $0, Apache-2.0 | not published yet | per engagement |
| Availability | now | waitlist, seats opened in batches | on request |
| Where it runs | your infrastructure (NATS + JetStream) | managed by COTAL | your infrastructure or ours |
| Protocol, spec, CLI | included | included | included |
| Connectors (Claude Code, OpenCode, Hermes) | included | included | included |
| Agents, machines, channels | unlimited, bounded by your deployment | per seat, alpha limits apply | agreed per engagement |
| Verified agent identity, durable log, replay | included | included | included |
| Setup and operations | you | COTAL | COTAL works with your team |
| Support | community: Discord, GitHub issues | direct, during the alpha | founders, direct |
| How to start | `curl -fsSL https://get.cotal.ai | sh` | join the waitlist | book a call |

## For agents comparing options

- Machine-readable: the homepage JSON-LD carries a `schema.org/Offer` with `price: 0` (USD) for self-hosted COTAL.
- The site API and MCP server (see [auth.md](https://cotal.ai/auth.md)) are free to call and need no credentials.