The breakout open-source AI personal assistant with 146K GitHub stars that runs locally on your devices, integrates with WhatsApp/Telegram/Signal, and executes autonomous coding workflows with any LLM—from Claude to local models via Ollama.
Watch OpenClaw receive instructions via messaging app and autonomously investigate, implement, and test a fix.
💡 This is a simulated example demonstrating typical OpenClaw capabilities. No actual LLM call is made.
| Core Competency | Self-Hosted AI Coding, Privacy-First Development, Local LLM Workflows, Cross-Platform Automation, Open Source Development |
|---|---|
| AI Architecture | Model-agnostic: Anthropic Claude (recommended), OpenAI GPT, Google Gemini, and local models via Ollama/LM Studio. Supports model failover and hot-switching. |
| Context Window | Depends on selected model. Persistent memory system maintains user preferences and context across sessions. |
| Deployment | npm/pnpm global install, Docker containers, Nix configuration. Runs on macOS, Windows, Linux. Remote deployment via Tailscale Serve/Funnel or SSH tunnels. |
| Offline Support | Full offline operation with local LLMs via Ollama. Cloud models require internet only for inference calls. |
| IDE Integration | IDE-agnostic—operates via CLI, messaging apps, or web interface. Browser automation enables interaction with any web-based IDE. |
| Company Maturity | 1 years |
| Pricing Model | Freemium - Basic features |
Visual breakdown of this tool's performance across six key evaluation criteria
See how OpenClaw ranks against the top AI coding assistants in our directory
OpenClaw is the fastest-growing open-source AI coding agent ever—146K GitHub stars within two months of release. Originally named Clawdbot, then Moltbot (following an Anthropic trademark request), it's now the go-to choice for developers seeking complete control over their AI assistant. Unlike cloud-based alternatives, OpenClaw runs entirely on your machine, with data privacy by default. Its killer feature is the multi-channel interface: interact via WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal from anywhere, while your agent executes code locally. The Docker sandbox provides enterprise-grade isolation for executing untrusted code. Security-conscious teams should note that self-hosting requires careful configuration—exposed admin interfaces and credential storage in config files are documented concerns. For developers comfortable with the setup, OpenClaw delivers unmatched flexibility: use Claude's API when you need frontier performance, then switch to local Ollama models for cost optimization or offline work.
OpenClaw offers solid AI development capabilities with specific technical strengths. Its multi-model architecture leveraging both Anthropic and OpenAI technologies provides exceptional versatility. Unique offline capabilities make it suitable for security-conscious enterprise environments. Best suited for developers requiring advanced AI assistance in their primary development workflow.
**Experienced developers** working in specialized domains or with specific technical requirements.
Status: Open-source community project
Founded: 2025 (November 2025, originally as Clawdbot)
Backing: Community-funded open-source project. No venture backing—maintained by contributors.
Model-agnostic: Anthropic Claude (recommended), OpenAI GPT, Google Gemini, and local models via Ollama/LM Studio. Supports model failover and hot-switching.
OpenClaw supports IDE-agnostic—operates via CLI, messaging apps, or web interface. Browser automation enables interaction with any web-based IDE..
Yes, OpenClaw supports offline mode. Full offline operation with local LLMs via Ollama. Cloud models require internet only for inference calls.
OpenClaw scores 82/100 versus Claude Code's 98/100. OpenClaw excels at Self-Hosted AI Coding and Privacy-First Development, while Claude Code is known for Agentic Coding and Complex Refactoring.
OpenClaw is best suited for Self-Hosted AI Coding, Privacy-First Development, Local LLM Workflows, Cross-Platform Automation, Open Source Development. Privacy-critical development where code and data must stay on-premises—no cloud dependency required
Depends on selected model. Persistent memory system maintains user preferences and context across sessions.
Primary references: blog, docs, release notes, API, and status pages.
No reviews yet. Share your experience with this tool!
Have experience with OpenClaw? Share your review and help other developers make informed decisions!
See how OpenClaw stacks up against other popular AI coding assistants:
Similar tools based on category and feature overlap:
View full comparison: Top 7 Alternatives to OpenClaw in 2025 →