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Most buyers should pick OpenClaw.
OpenClaw is the better fit for developers who want source access, local deployment, and control over the runtime: it is MIT-licensed, self-hosted, and installs through npm, pnpm, or desktop apps on macOS, Windows, and Linux. AutoGPT is a web-based AI work team for people who want Otto to coordinate specialists and connected apps; it also lists a self-host option with BYO model-provider API keys. Choose based on whether you are building and operating an agent or delegating business workflows.
01Side by side
| OpenClaw | AutoGPT | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free MIT software; model and infrastructure costs are separate | Paid subscriptions; scheduled runs use a credit wallet |
| Free tier | Free self-hosted software; no hosted tier | Seven-day, card-required trial; no ongoing free plan |
| Open source and licence | Open source under the MIT License | Open-source roots cited; current licence unspecified |
| Self-hosting | Self-hostable; install from apps, CLI, or source | Self-Host option; bring your own model-provider API keys |
| Integrations | ChatGPT account, Discord, Twilio, and X API mentioned | Google Drive, WordPress, and connected Expert apps |
| Deployment model | Install and run the agent yourself | Web platform; a Self-Host option is listed |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, and Linux desktop apps | Web |
| Limits and scaling | Seat and usage limits aren't published | Max includes 8.5× Pro usage and 5× storage |
OpenClaw Choose OpenClaw if
- Choose OpenClaw if you want MIT-licensed source you can inspect.
- Choose OpenClaw if you can operate your own agent infrastructure.
- Choose OpenClaw if you need macOS, Windows, or Linux installation.
AutoGPT Choose AutoGPT if
- Choose AutoGPT if you want Otto to coordinate specialist workflows.
- Choose AutoGPT if you need connected apps and scheduled routines.
- Choose AutoGPT if Max's higher usage and storage fit your workload.
02Pricing at real usage
OpenClaw costs $0 under the MIT License, with no hosted tier or subscription. The software price does not cover the models and infrastructure you provide to run it. Seat and usage limits aren't published, so size your own hosting and model spend against the workload.
AutoGPT offers a seven-day trial that requires a card, then Pro costs $50/month or $42.50/month on annual billing. Max costs $320/month or $272/month annually and includes 8.5× Pro usage and 5× file storage. Team pricing isn't published. Scheduled workflow runs use a credit wallet, but wallet pricing isn't published, so recurring job costs need checking before rollout. The trial is not an ongoing free plan.
03API, SDKs and integration
OpenClaw is installed software, not a hosted API in its homepage presentation. Its quick start gives npm i -g openclaw, openclaw onboard, a one-line installer, and source installation through a pnpm workspace. The desktop apps bundle gateway, chat, setup, and node features on macOS, Windows, and Linux. The homepage mentions signing in with a ChatGPT account and using Discord, Twilio, and the X API. It does not publish public API or SDK details, supported programming languages, or a developer documentation entry point.
AutoGPT is presented as a web platform: users brief Otto in plain English, connect the apps Experts need, and review work before it is sent. The homepage shows Google Drive and WordPress and describes connected-app and document workflows. It does not publish public API or SDK details, supported languages, or a developer CLI. Treat it as a workflow product unless the vendor confirms an integration surface for your codebase.
04Open source, self-hosting and lock-in
OpenClaw is open source under the MIT License and can be installed from a source checkout. That gives developers access to the code and the option to run the agent on their own infrastructure. You still operate the runtime and provide models and infrastructure; the free licence does not remove those operational responsibilities.
AutoGPT's homepage refers to its open-source beginnings, and its pricing lists a Self-Host option that requires BYO model-provider API keys. The current licence and self-host deployment details are not published there, so confirm them before treating it as a source-available dependency. Neither product's homepage documents a data-export path. With OpenClaw, source access supports inspection and modification; with AutoGPT, ask how to export workflows, connected-app configuration, and work products before building business processes around it.
Questions people ask
Is OpenClaw free?
Yes. OpenClaw is free under the MIT License and has no hosted tier. You provide the models and infrastructure needed to run it, so operating costs can still apply. The vendor does not publish seat or usage limits.
Can you self-host AutoGPT?
AutoGPT lists a Self-Host option in its pricing, and says model providers require BYO API keys. The homepage does not specify deployment requirements or the current licence, so confirm those details with the vendor before planning a production deployment.
Does OpenClaw have a public API or SDK?
OpenClaw's homepage documents installation through npm, pnpm, a one-line installer, and desktop apps. It does not publish public API or SDK details, supported programming languages, or a developer documentation entry point. Check with the vendor if you need a supported programmatic interface.
Which is better for developers?
OpenClaw fits developers who want MIT-licensed source and control of a self-hosted runtime. AutoGPT fits teams that want a web-based workflow product to coordinate specialists, connect apps, and run recurring tasks. The right choice depends on whether you need runtime control or managed task coordination.