Zeltro › A Hercules alternative that runs on your own machine
Zeltro as a Hercules alternative
Hercules (hercules.app) builds business apps in its cloud with its own AI, credits and backend. Zeltro builds on your own computer with the AI you already pay for. What differs, what Hercules says about exporting and self-hosting, and why people switch.
Hercules, at hercules.app, is an AI app builder aimed at business owners who want custom software without hiring a developer. You chat, and it builds a web or mobile app with sign-in, payments, email and file storage already wired in, then hosts it for you.
It is a good fit for exactly that. People look elsewhere when they want to see and edit the code in their own tools, keep the app and its data on their own machines, or stop paying for credits that expire each month.
Hercules and Zeltro side by side#
As of September 2026:
| Hercules | Zeltro | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | Hercules's cloud (Cloudflare, AWS and Convex) | Your own computer, or servers you control |
| Whose AI builds it | Hercules's, bundled into credits | Yours: Claude Code, Codex, Antigravity, Qwen Code, Aider, OpenCode, Hermes Agent, or a local model |
| What you pay | Free tier; paid plans from $25/month; credits expire after about a month | Free for personal use; US$99.99 once per business (lifetime). Plus your AI provider, or nothing with a local model |
| Languages | React front end on a Convex backend | PHP, Python and JavaScript: Laravel, WordPress, Django, FastAPI, Next.js and 16 more |
| Backend | Managed by Hercules; the Convex deploy key is not shared | Real databases on your machine: MariaDB, Postgres, MongoDB, Redis |
| Your code | Yours; download on Pro and above | Plain folders on your disk from the first command |
| Your own editor | "Not currently" | Any editor you like |
| Local development | Not supported | Everything is local |
| Live URL | Yes, on onhercules.app | No. It runs locally; hosting is up to you |
| Your content used for training | May be used to train models; opting out is limited to higher plans | Up to the AI provider you choose; your code and prompts never go to Zeltro |
Can you run a Hercules app on your own computer?#
Not in any supported way. Hercules's documentation is direct about it:
Your own editor
"Can I use my own IDE? Not currently." The built-in code editor needs Pro, and Hercules says it "cannot support you if you make manual changes to the codebase."
Exporting
On Pro and above you can download the code and a database snapshot, and "self-host it on any provider you choose", but "Hercules is unable to provide support for self-hosted deployments."
The backend
Apps run on a Convex backend that Hercules manages, and it cannot give you the deploy key "for security reasons". Sign-in runs through Hercules's own service, so moving to your own Convex means reconfiguring auth.
Everything else
Secrets, the AI gateway, payments, email and file storage are Hercules services too, and each one needs replacing if you leave.
There is no desktop app. Hercules does offer a remote connection for tools like Claude Code and Cursor, but the building still happens in its cloud and still uses its credits.
None of this is a trick. Hercules is a managed platform built for people who do not want to handle code or servers, and it says so. It only matters if owning and running the whole thing yourself is the goal.
What Zeltro does differently#
Zeltro is a do-it-yourself dev platform for your own machine. Describe what you want and it suggests how to build it: a ready-made app if one already does the job, or a framework and a database if it needs building from scratch. Then your AI agent builds it in a real project on your disk, in a codebase you can open in any editor.
Everything is localThe app, its database and its files live on your computer. There is no platform backend to untangle later.
Pick from 214 ready-made appsCRMs, wikis, analytics, shops and more install in a couple of clicks, so you are not paying an AI to rebuild software that already exists.
You choose the AI and who pays for itA subscription you already have, a low-cost model, a local model, or a client's key for client work. No credits that expire.
No account, no monthly planFree for personal use; businesses pay US$99.99 once. The command line tool is open source.
Before you switch#
Hercules hosts everything for youSign-in, payments, email and hosting are part of its platform, which is also why the app never fully leaves it. Zeltro builds the same kind of app as ordinary code you own. When you want it live, put it on any host, or I will do it for you.
Hercules publishes native apps to the App Store and Google PlayZeltro builds web apps and APIs, which run on any phone in the browser. If store listings are a must, that is Hercules's corner.
Why people switch to Zeltro#
Own and run it
You own and run the app and its data yourself.
Your own editor
You can open the code in your own editor and change anything.
PHP, Python, or a ready-made app
You can build in PHP or Python, or start from one of 214 open-source apps.
The AI you already pay for
You already pay for Claude, ChatGPT or Gemini, and do not want a second AI bill with credits that expire.
It is free for personal use, with no account. Install it and see the difference on your next project.
Sources#
Checked on 28 September 2026: Hercules's plans, AI credits, code editor, export, backend and cloud credits pages, its terms and privacy policy. Hercules tests different plan prices, and plans change, so check them before you commit.
Questions
Is there a Hercules alternative that runs locally?
Yes. Zeltro runs entirely on your own computer: the builder, your app and its databases. Hercules builds and hosts in its own cloud and does not support local development.
Can I export my Hercules app and host it myself?
On Pro and above you can download the code and a database snapshot. Hercules says you may self-host it but does not support doing so, and the backend, sign-in and other built-in services are Hercules's own, so expect to replace them.
Can I use my own AI key with Hercules?
Not for building: building always uses Hercules credits. Zeltro has no AI of its own and uses the agent and key you choose, including a local model.
What does Zeltro cost?
The Zeltro app is free for personal use, hobby projects and learning, with no account.
A business using it, including for paid client work, buys a
lifetime commercial license once, for US$99.99. The zeltro command line
tool is open source (MIT). Separately, you pay for your AI: a subscription you
already have, an API key billed per use, or nothing with a local model.
Try Zeltro on your own computer
Free for personal use, with no account. Build with the AI you already pay for, and keep the app, its data and its code on your own machine.
Install Zeltro Why bring your own key
Rather not set it up yourself? I’ll do it for you.
Checked 2026-09-28. Other products change often — if something here is out of date, tell us and it gets fixed.