OpenClaw vs AutoGPT
Both are autonomous AI agents, but with very different approaches. Here's how they compare.
The Key Difference
AutoGPT is an experimental autonomous agent that tries to complete goals with minimal human input. OpenClaw is a practical, human-in-the-loop assistant designed for daily use with messaging integration and controlled automation.
- Human-in-the-loop design
- Multi-platform messaging
- Controlled tool access
- Production-ready
- Clear cost control
- Persistent memory
- Fully autonomous operation
- Goal-driven execution
- Experimental/research focus
- Plugin ecosystem
- Can run unsupervised
- Recursive self-improvement
Product Overview
A self-hosted AI assistant designed for practical daily use. Emphasizes safety, messaging integration, and human oversight.
- Designed for production use
- Message via WhatsApp/Telegram
- Approve actions before execution
- Cost controls and limits
- Clear audit trail
An experimental autonomous AI agent that attempts to achieve goals through recursive task completion and self-prompting.
- Experimental/research project
- Runs autonomously in terminal
- Creates and executes sub-tasks
- Can consume many API tokens
- Requires careful monitoring
Feature Comparison
| Feature | 🦞 OpenClaw | 🤖 AutoGPT |
|---|---|---|
| Human oversight | Optional | |
| Fully autonomous mode | ||
| Approve before execute | ||
| Cost controls | Limited | |
| Token usage warnings | Can spiral |
| Feature | 🦞 OpenClaw | 🤖 AutoGPT |
|---|---|---|
| Production ready | Experimental | |
| Mobile messaging | ||
| Easy setup | Limited | |
| Persistent memory | ||
| Multi-agent routing |
| Feature | 🦞 OpenClaw | 🤖 AutoGPT |
|---|---|---|
| Web browsing | ||
| File operations | ||
| Code execution | ||
| Self-improvement | ||
| Goal decomposition | Limited |
The Verdict
Choose OpenClaw if: You want a practical, safe AI assistant for daily tasks with messaging integration. OpenClaw is designed for real-world use with appropriate guardrails.
Choose AutoGPT if: You're interested in experimental autonomous AI, research applications, or want to explore what's possible with fully autonomous agents. Be prepared for higher API costs and potential runaway loops.
Get Started with OpenClaw
A practical AI assistant that's ready for production use.