Head to head
vs
Claude vs OpenClaw
The short answer
Claude is a managed knowledge-work agent; OpenClaw is an open-source gateway that can actually run Claude models as its brain. Choose based on who should run the infrastructure.
Choose Claude if
you want polished documents and slides without maintaining anything.
Choose OpenClaw if
you want Claude-level intelligence in Telegram or WhatsApp, on your own hardware.
Feature by feature
| Claude | OpenClaw | |
|---|---|---|
| Works in the backgroundKeeps going after you close the app | Partly | Yes |
| Suggests work on its ownLooks for things to do without being asked | No | Partly |
| Own cloud computerRuns a browser and files on a machine you do not own | Partly | No |
| Lives in chat appsWhatsApp, Slack, Telegram, Teams and similar | No | Yes |
| Voice callsYou can talk to it, not just type | Partly | Partly |
| Buys thingsCan complete checkouts, usually with approval | No | Partly |
| Custom permission rulesYou decide what it may do alone | Partly | Yes |
| Pick any AI modelSwap the model behind the agent | No | Yes |
| Runs on your hardwareData and memory stay on your machine | No | Yes |
| Free optionUsable without a subscription | No | Yes |
| Business featuresAdmin controls, seats, role-based agents | Yes | Partly |
Claude: Price
- Claude Pro$20/mo
Merged Cowork experience rolling out now: long tasks, connectors, Docs and Slides beta.
- Claude Max 5x$100/mo
5x Pro usage per five-hour session and priority access at peak times.
- Claude Max 20x$200/mo
20x Pro usage per five-hour session, same features as Max 5x.
OpenClaw: Price
- OpenClaw (self-hosted)Free
No subscription. You pay for the model (per token or through an existing plan) and the machine it runs on.
Where it works
| Claude | OpenClaw | |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Available | Self-hosted |
| Canada | Available | Self-hosted |
| Mexico | Available | Self-hosted |
| Brazil | Available | Self-hosted |
| Argentina | Available | Self-hosted |
| United Kingdom | Available | Self-hosted |
| Germany | Available | Self-hosted |
| France | Available | Self-hosted |
| Spain | Available | Self-hosted |
| Italy | Available | Self-hosted |
| Netherlands | Available | Self-hosted |
| Poland | Available | Self-hosted |
| Sweden | Available | Self-hosted |
| Switzerland | Available | Self-hosted |
| Türkiye | Available | Self-hosted |
| Ukraine | Available | Self-hosted |
| Russia | Not available | Self-hosted |
| United Arab Emirates | Available | Self-hosted |
| Saudi Arabia | Available | Self-hosted |
| Egypt | Available | Self-hosted |
| Nigeria | Available | Self-hosted |
| South Africa | Available | Self-hosted |
| India | Available | Self-hosted |
| Indonesia | Available | Self-hosted |
| Vietnam | Available | Self-hosted |
| Thailand | Available | Self-hosted |
| Philippines | Available | Self-hosted |
| Japan | Available | Self-hosted |
| South Korea | Available | Self-hosted |
| China | Not available | Self-hosted |
| Australia | Available | Self-hosted |
| Singapore | Available | Self-hosted |