Hermes vs Devin pits a do-anything open-source agent against a specialist. Hermes Agent is Nous Research’s agent that runs on your own computer or server. Devin is Cognition’s autonomous AI software engineer that writes, runs and tests code. One naming note first: on 2 June 2026 Windsurf became Devin Desktop, so the Devin family is now Devin Cloud, Devin Desktop, Devin CLI and Devin Review.
Key takeaways
- Hermes is open source (MIT licence) and runs on your own computer, a server or Docker.
- Devin is Cognition’s AI software engineer, with cloud sessions on their own VMs.
- Windsurf was renamed Devin Desktop on 2 June 2026.
- Both schedule work and plug into Slack; Devin also takes Linear and Jira tickets.
The quick answer
Choose Devin if you have an engineering backlog: tickets, bug fixes, migrations and tests that you want turned into pull requests. Choose Hermes if you want one agent you control for the whole business, from scheduled reports to chat support, on your own setup and with your choice of model provider.
Side by side
| Hermes Agent | Devin | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Open-source agent (MIT licence) | Cognition’s hosted AI software engineer |
| Where it runs | Your computer, a server or Docker | Cloud sessions on VMs; Devin CLI and Devin Desktop locally; Outposts on your own machines |
| Main job | Any task: reports, chat support, research, code | Software work: tickets, features, bug fixes, migrations, reviews |
| Where you talk to it | CLI, TUI, Desktop, browser Webapp, Telegram, Slack and more | Web app, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Linear, Jira, CLI and IDEs |
| Scheduling | Cron jobs and webhooks | Automations from Slack, GitHub, Linear, schedules and webhooks |
| Memory | Memory and skills on your own setup | Memory notes in a personal Git repo, plus Skills (which are replacing Knowledge and Playbooks) |
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Where the work runs
Hermes runs where you install it. In v0.23.0, one gateway on each machine owns every conversation, Desktop keeps all your machines connected in one window, and a new Webapp serves the Desktop workspace in a browser tab (off by default).
A cloud Devin session gets its own VM with a shell, browser and full repo access, so it keeps going after you close your laptop, per the Devin handoff docs. Computer Use gives Devin a full desktop on Linux, Windows or macOS sessions. Devin CLI is the local option, and Outposts run sessions on your own infrastructure.
Coding and engineering work
This is Devin’s focus. The Devin intro says it handles Linear and Jira tickets, new features, bug fixes, app testing, migrations and refactors, and its rule of thumb is that if you can do it in three hours, Devin can most likely do it. Devin Review reviews pull requests and helps fix what it finds.
Hermes codes too, and inside editors it runs as an ACP server with file, terminal, browser, memory and skill tools. Its v0.23.0 delegation is pluggable, so you can send each subagent task to a named model or a separate profile.
Scheduling and automations
Hermes cron jobs run on a schedule or from webhooks and deliver results to messaging apps, and in v0.23.0 they can post into Group Chats.
Devin automations start sessions from Slack messages, GitHub events, Linear ticket changes, schedules and custom webhooks. They can start a new session, message a running one, or run a triage Devin that watches a Slack channel and spins up sub-Devins for bugs.
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Memory, skills and control
Hermes keeps memory, skills and keys on your own setup, with a credential vault and, since v0.23.0, spend limits on paid MCP tools.
Devin Memory saves your preferences and corrections as notes in a personal Git repository, Skills (which are replacing Playbooks) store reusable instructions for your team, and Secrets let Devin sign in to tools. Devin CLI can also import rules from Cursor, Windsurf, Claude Code, GitHub Copilot, OpenCode and Zed.
My verdict
For an engineering team with a backlog of tickets, Devin is the stronger specialist: it turns tickets into tested pull requests in its own cloud sessions. For a small business owner who wants one always-on agent for reports, support and admin, on hardware they control, Hermes wins. That’s my take on Hermes vs Devin.
About Julian Goldie
I’m Julian Goldie — founder of Goldie Agency and the AI Profit Boardroom. I test new AI agents almost every day for 432K+ YouTube subscribers and run Hermes, OpenClaw, OpenCode, Claude and Codex side by side in my own Agent OS. Claim your free strategy session or join the AI Profit Boardroom.
Want another angle? Read the AI Profit Boardroom guide to Hermes vs Devin.
FAQ: hermes vs devin
What is the difference between Hermes and Devin?
Hermes is an open-source agent from Nous Research that you run yourself for any kind of task. Devin is Cognition’s autonomous AI software engineer that writes, runs and tests code in its own cloud sessions.
Is Windsurf now Devin?
Yes. On 2 June 2026 Windsurf became Devin Desktop. Cognition says it’s the same IDE with the same features under the Devin brand.
Is Hermes free and open source?
Hermes Agent is open source under the MIT licence. You still need a model provider of your choice.
Can Devin run on my own machines?
Yes. Devin CLI runs locally in your terminal, and Devin Outposts run Devin sessions on your own infrastructure.
Which one can schedule work?
Both. Hermes uses cron jobs and webhooks. Devin automations start sessions from Slack, GitHub, Linear, schedules and webhooks.
Which is better for a small business?
Devin suits teams with a software backlog. Hermes suits owners who want one agent for reports, support and admin that they control.
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Related reading
Last updated November 2026. This page is a living guide to hermes vs devin — the facts here move fast and it is updated as they do.
