pinthread vs Agentation

Detailed comparison

	pinthread	Agentation
Setup	One script tag (install guide) in an isolated ShadowRoot. Works on plain HTML, React, Next.js, Astro, and Vue.	npm package and `<Agentation />` component (Agentation install). Requires React 18 or later.
Frameworks	Framework-independent. Embeds via browser script without peer dependencies (configuration).	React 18+ and Next.js peer dependency (Agentation requirements).
Annotation modes	Element pinning with coordinates, element selector, visible text, and threaded replies (features). Text selection and animation pause unknown.	Element clicks, text selection, animation pause, and multi-select (Agentation usage).
Output formats	Threaded discussions with author names, timestamps, page URL, and element context via MCP tools or API (MCP tools).	Markdown export in 4 formats: Compact, Standard, Detailed with bounding boxes, and Forensic with computed styles (Agentation output).
Component hierarchy	Element selectors and page coordinates captured. React fiber component hierarchy detection unknown.	Traverses React fiber tree to detect component hierarchy (such as `<App> <Dashboard> <Button>`) (Agentation fiber detection).
Storage	Hosted on pinthread servers per project (data guide). Notes remain available indefinitely without 7-day expiration.	Default browser `localStorage` cleared after 7 days (Agentation storage). Agent Sync persists to a server you run.
Team review	Multi-user threaded comments, replies, reactions, and resolution. Reviewers sign in with Google or comment as named guests (team features).	Agent Sync connects multiple users and agents to a shared MCP server (Agentation Agent Sync). Without it, notes stay local to each browser.
Agent access	Remote streamable HTTP MCP server at `https://pinthread.dev/mcp` with project tokens on all plans (agent guide).	Local MCP server on `localhost:4747` or stdio (`agentation-mcp`), or copied Markdown (Agentation MCP).
Mobile support	Touch event picking and compact review layout exist in code, but end-to-end device parity is unknown.	Desktop only. Displays a desktop-only banner (Agentation desktop only).
Licence	Commercial hosted service (terms). Embed widget distributed under MIT licence.	Source available under PolyForm Shield 1.0.0 (Agentation licence). Not an open source licence.
Price	$0 a month hosted plan with up to 10 projects and 25 members per project (free plan).	Free for internal non-competing use under PolyForm Shield 1.0.0 (Agentation PolyForm licence).

Checked on 10 October 2026. Sources: Agentation FAQ, Agentation licence.

Architecture and tradeoffs

Agentation is designed for individual developers working on React apps. It runs entirely inside the local app process and stores notes in browser localStorage or on a local machine server. If you work alone and want React component hierarchies in your prompts, Agentation provides that context directly.

pinthread is designed for teams collaborating across live websites, staging builds, and preview deployments. Reviewers do not need React or local toolbars; they comment on the real page. Comments are hosted permanently and accessible to agents over remote MCP tokens without running a local sync process.

When to choose Agentation

You develop primarily in React 18+ or Next.js.
You want React fiber component names embedded directly in agent prompts.
You work alone and prefer keeping notes on your local machine.
You need in-toolbar animation pausing or text selection.

When to choose pinthread

Your site uses plain HTML, Vue, Astro, or other non-React stacks.
Designers, QA, and non-developers leave feedback on preview or staging URLs.
Feedback must persist past 7 days and remain shared without running a local sync server.
Coding agents need remote MCP access to read, reply to, and resolve threads directly.

Switch from Agentation

Sign up free and create a project for your site.
Paste the script tag into your shared layout.
Add each address where your site runs in the project's Settings.
Back up or export any Agentation notes you wish to keep before removing the component, because browser notes are not imported automatically. Remove <Agentation /> from your layout and add the pinthread script tag.
Connect your agent. The agent guide has the setup for Claude Code, Cursor, and Codex.

<script src="https://pinthread.dev/embed.js"
  data-project="YOUR_PROJECT_KEY" defer></script>

Questions

How does agent access compare between pinthread and Agentation?

pinthread offers a remote streamable HTTP MCP server at https://pinthread.dev/mcp with scoped project tokens. Claude Code, Cursor, and Codex connect over the network. Agentation provides a local MCP server (localhost:4747 or stdio) or Markdown export.

Can Agentation and pinthread be used on non-React sites?

pinthread works on any website via one script tag and an isolated ShadowRoot. Agentation requires React 18+ and Next.js as peer dependencies.

How does note persistence compare?

Agentation stores notes in browser localStorage by default, which expire after 7 days unless you configure Agent Sync with a storage backend. pinthread hosts threaded comments per project on its server indefinitely.

Can coding agents resolve threads in pinthread?

Yes. Agents connecting with a write token can list threads, post replies, and resolve them when changes land. Agentation MCP tools let agents read annotations.

What is the difference between Agent Sync and pinthread?

Agent Sync is an option in Agentation that connects the toolbar to an MCP server you run. pinthread is a hosted multi-user service with authentication, permissions, and built-in remote MCP.

Do reviewers need an account?

No. On a project with link access, reviewers can comment as a named guest. A guest name is not a verified identity. Owners can restrict a project to invited Google accounts.

pinthread vs Agentation for AI coding agents.