What makes OpenClaw different from other AI assistants?

OpenClaw is not just a chatbot. It's "Claude with hands"—an AI agent that can actually execute tasks. It can control browsers, manage files, execute code, make trades, and more, all while maintaining local-first privacy protection.

How much does OpenClaw cost?

OpenClaw itself is completely free and open-source (MIT license). The only cost is AI model API usage: you can use free Ollama for local AI, use your existing Anthropic Pro/Max subscription, or bring your own API key. There are no premium tiers or hidden fees.

Do I need technical knowledge to use OpenClaw?

It depends on your platform. Windows users can use the one-click installer—no command line needed. For macOS/Linux, basic terminal familiarity helps for the npm install. Once set up, you interact with OpenClaw through natural language on WhatsApp, Telegram, or Discord—no coding required.

Where does my data go?

OpenClaw runs entirely on your computer. Your files, conversations, API keys, and personal data stay on your device. Nothing is sent to our servers. We don't collect any telemetry or usage data.

Is the download safe?

Yes. All downloads come from the official OpenClaw GitHub releases page. The code is fully open-source (MIT license), meaning anyone can inspect it. The same releases are used by tens of thousands of users worldwide.

How is OpenClaw proactive instead of reactive?

Traditional AI assistants wait for prompts. OpenClaw's Heartbeat Engine lets it initiate actions—sending morning briefings, monitoring servers, tracking prices, alerting you to events.

What are Skills and ClawHub?

Skills are modular capabilities that extend what OpenClaw can do. ClawHub is the community registry where you can browse, install, and publish Skills. Skills range from weather reporters to flight trackers, and you can create custom ones using natural language.

OpenClaw is open source software (MIT license), completely free to use. You can use provided Anthropic Pro/Max tokens, or use your own API key.

Is OpenClaw's trading feature safe?

OpenClaw trading assistant has strict risk controls built in, including 2% maximum position limits, trend-following constraints, and Human-in-the-Loop approval. But all investments carry risk, please use with caution.

OpenClaw uses a local-first architecture, all data and keys are stored on your device. The code is fully open source and auditable, with no hidden data collection.

Can OpenClaw make real phone calls?

Yes! With Vapi integration, OpenClaw can make actual phone calls—booking restaurant reservations, calling businesses, handling hold times.

What platforms does OpenClaw support?

OpenClaw supports 13+ messaging platforms including Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord, Slack, iMessage, Signal, WeChat, Google Chat, Microsoft Teams, and Matrix. It runs on macOS, Linux, and Windows (via WSL2).

Why is it called OpenClaw?

OpenClaw combines 'Open' (for open source) with 'Claw' (from the project's lobster mascot). The claw represents precision and capability—an AI that can grab and handle real-world tasks.

What does OpenClaw cost?

OpenClaw is free and open source (MIT license). You only pay for AI model API usage ($5-50/month estimated) and optional dedicated hardware ($0-599 one-time). No subscription fees.

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Privacy Policy

Last updated: February 9, 2026

OpenClaw is built on the principle of local-first data sovereignty. This privacy policy explains how OpenClaw handles your data.

Data Collection

OpenClaw is self-hosted software that runs entirely on your own hardware. We do not collect, store, or have access to any of your personal data, conversations, API keys, or usage patterns. All data remains on your local device.

Local Data Storage

All data generated by OpenClaw—including conversation history, configuration files, API keys, and logs—is stored locally on your device. API keys are encrypted using the built-in vault system (~/.clawd/vault). You have full control over all stored data and can delete it at any time.

Third-Party Services

OpenClaw integrates with third-party services (Anthropic API, messaging platforms, trading platforms) based on your configuration. When you use these integrations, your data is subject to the respective third-party privacy policies. OpenClaw does not send any data to third parties without your explicit configuration.

API Communication

When you use OpenClaw with an AI model provider (e.g., Anthropic), your prompts and conversations are sent to the provider's API for processing. This communication is governed by the provider's privacy policy and terms of service. You can use local models (via Ollama) for fully offline operation.

Website Analytics

The OpenClaw website (openclawai.me) may use privacy-respecting analytics to understand general traffic patterns. No personally identifiable information is collected through the website. The analytics data is used solely to improve the website experience.

Open Source Transparency

OpenClaw's source code is fully open source under the MIT license. You can audit the codebase at any time to verify our privacy practices. We welcome security audits and responsible disclosure of any privacy concerns.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Any changes will be reflected on this page with an updated revision date. As an open-source project, significant privacy-related changes will be discussed publicly on GitHub.

Contact

For privacy-related questions or concerns, please open an issue on our GitHub repository or reach out through our Discord community.