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OpenClaw

Manages emails, calendars, and system tasks via messaging apps or terminal using browser control, file access, and over 50 third-party integrations.

Pricing:100% Free
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Overview

OpenClaw is an open-source personal AI assistant platform that runs a gateway on your own devices, giving you control over your infrastructure. Unlike cloud-based alternatives, OpenClaw connects to popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, and Slack, delivering AI assistance through the channels you already use daily.

Built with privacy and customization in mind, OpenClaw supports multiple model providers including Anthropic Claude, OpenAI GPT, and local runtimes like Ollama, allowing you to choose your preferred AI backend. The platform features persistent memory, browser control capabilities, and an ecosystem of community-built skills that can be enabled through configuration. With over 100k GitHub stars, OpenClaw represents a collaborative approach to personal AI assistants where you own the infrastructure and your assistant becomes uniquely yours.

Whether you're a developer looking to automate workflows, a privacy-conscious user seeking local AI solutions, or someone who wants full control over their assistant's capabilities, OpenClaw provides the flexibility and power to build your ideal AI productivity companion.

Key Features

  • Multi-Channel Integration — Connect to WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, Signal, iMessage, Google Chat, and Microsoft Teams, managing all conversations from a single AI agent that works across your preferred platforms.

  • Persistent Memory System — Your assistant remembers context, preferences, and past conversations across sessions, creating a personalized experience that evolves with your needs and becomes more helpful over time.

  • Browser Automation — Control web browsers programmatically to fill forms, extract data, monitor websites, and automate web-based tasks, extending your assistant's capabilities beyond simple text responses.

  • Full System Access — Execute shell commands, read and write files, run scripts, and perform system-level operations with configurable sandboxing options to balance power and security.

  • Extensible Skills Platform — Install community-built skills or create your own custom extensions, allowing your assistant to integrate with any API, service, or workflow you need.

  • Self-Hosted Privacy — Run the gateway on Mac, Windows, or Linux. Your workspace data stays local. If you use hosted LLMs (OpenAI, Anthropic), requests go to those providers; local models (like Ollama) keep everything on your hardware.

Pricing & Plans

OpenClaw is completely free and open-source software released under the MIT License. However, to use OpenClaw, you'll need:

Software Cost

  • OpenClaw Platform: $0 (open source, MIT License)
  • GitHub Repository: Free access to all source code and updates

Cost Structure

OpenClaw's total cost depends on three components you control:

1. OpenClaw Software: $0 (open source, MIT License)

2. AI Model Provider (your choice):

  • Local models (Ollama, etc.): $0/month
  • Hosted LLM API usage: Pay-as-you-go based on your usage
  • Provider subscriptions: Varies by provider and plan

3. Infrastructure (your choice):

  • Existing hardware: $0
  • Cloud VM: Starting from ~$5/month
  • Dedicated server: Cost varies by setup

Note: Hosted LLM costs (OpenAI API, Anthropic API, etc.) are billed by your chosen provider based on usage. Subscription costs like ChatGPT Plus ($20/month) are separate from API pricing.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Completely open source and free software with MIT License
  • Control over gateway infrastructure with self-hosted deployment options
  • Active community with 100k+ GitHub stars and frequent updates
  • Multi-channel support for WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, and more
  • Highly customizable with extensible skills and plugin system
  • Works with multiple model providers including Claude, GPT, and local alternatives

Cons:

  • Requires technical knowledge for installation and configuration
  • Needs separate AI API subscription for Claude or GPT models
  • Initial setup process can be complex for non-technical users
  • Requires dedicated hardware or cloud server to run continuously
  • Limited official support compared to commercial alternatives

Best For

  • Developers and technical users comfortable with command-line tools and configuration files
  • Privacy-conscious individuals who want complete control over their AI assistant and data
  • Teams needing customizable AI automation across multiple messaging platforms
  • Power users who want to extend their AI assistant with custom skills and integrations
  • Organizations requiring self-hosted AI solutions with no third-party data sharing

FAQ

Is OpenClaw completely free?

Yes, OpenClaw itself is completely free and open-source under the MIT License. However, you'll need to provide your own AI model API subscription (like Claude or ChatGPT) and hosting infrastructure. The total cost depends on your chosen AI model and whether you run OpenClaw on existing hardware or rent cloud servers.

What AI models does OpenClaw support?

OpenClaw supports multiple AI models including Anthropic's Claude (recommended), OpenAI's ChatGPT and Codex, and local models. You can configure your preferred model in the configuration file and even set up fallback options if your primary model is unavailable.

Do I need technical skills to use OpenClaw?

Yes, OpenClaw is designed for technical users and requires familiarity with command-line interfaces, configuration files, and basic server administration. The installation process involves Node.js, terminal commands, and API key configuration. Non-technical users may find the setup challenging without assistance.

Can I use OpenClaw without WhatsApp or Telegram?

Yes, OpenClaw supports multiple messaging platforms including WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, Signal, iMessage, Google Chat, and Microsoft Teams. You can configure which channels to enable and use only the platforms you prefer. You can even use OpenClaw through its web interface without any messaging app.

Is my data private when using OpenClaw?

OpenClaw's gateway runs on your devices with local workspace data. When using hosted LLMs (OpenAI, Anthropic), requests are sent to those providers subject to their data policies. For maximum privacy, use local models (like Ollama) to keep everything on your hardware. You control the infrastructure and choose your model provider.

Can OpenClaw access my computer files and run commands?

Yes, OpenClaw can read and write files, execute shell commands, and perform system-level operations when configured to do so. This powerful feature enables advanced automation but requires security awareness.

Security Recommendations:

  • Run openclaw security audit to review permission configurations
  • Use browser isolation to sandbox web automation tasks
  • Apply the principle of least privilege: only enable tools/skills you need
  • Review the security documentation before exposing control ports
  • Consider using separate environments for personal vs. shared usage

OpenClaw provides sandboxing options to limit what the assistant can access, especially when using it in group chats or shared environments.

How do I update OpenClaw to the latest version?

To update OpenClaw, re-run the official installation script which performs an in-place upgrade: curl -fsSL https://openclaw.bot/install.sh | bash. For source installations, use openclaw update after pulling the latest changes. The project receives frequent updates from its active developer community.

Can I build custom skills for OpenClaw?

Yes, OpenClaw features an extensible skills platform that allows you to create custom extensions. You can write skills to integrate with any API, automate specific workflows, or add new capabilities. The platform also includes a growing library of community-built skills that you can install and use immediately.