# OpenClaw alternatives

Canonical page: https://benchlm.ai/alternatives/openclaw

Sources checked: 2026-09-30

By [Glevd](https://benchlm.ai/authors/glevd).

OpenClaw alternatives change who runs the agent and who bills its work. Compare Hermes Agent for another self-hosted runtime with provider choice. Grok Bot, OpenAI Dots, Claude tasks, and Manus offer managed paths with different accounts, allowances, and access limits. We have not measured a performance winner or compared task invoices.

An agent product supplies the runtime, tools, memory, and permissions around a model. A model API supplies inference. Replacing the model inside OpenClaw is a different decision from replacing OpenClaw itself.

## Choose the part you want to change

- Keep your host and provider accounts: compare Hermes Agent with OpenClaw. [OpenClaw vs Hermes](https://benchlm.ai/blog/posts/openclaw-vs-hermes-agent) covers setup and billing responsibilities.
- Keep Hermes and consolidate model or tool charges: inspect Nous Portal. Add Hermes Cloud only if you also want a managed host; its hosting meter is separate.
- Use an account you already pay for: check Grok Bot, Dots, or Claude eligibility, rollout, geography, and usage limits.
- Move to Manus for its task workflow: inspect the selected credit amount and add-ons. Instinct belongs in a personal-use check; its public terms exclude team use.

## Who hosts the agent and chooses the model?

Product and control ledger. Rows group operating paths and do not rank performance. Unknown means the inspected sources did not establish a feature, rather than proving it absent.

| Product / reviewed version | Runtime and host | Model choice and authentication | Access or trust boundary |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [OpenClaw](https://benchlm.ai/alternatives/openclaw#openclaw)<br>Baseline: v2026.9.7, released September 30, 2026<br>[OpenClaw release](https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/releases/tag/v2026.9.7) | **Documented.** You run the Gateway on your hardware or a server you choose.<br>Sources: [OpenClaw FAQ](https://docs.openclaw.ai/help/faq/what-is-openclaw)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** Choose a provider plugin, API key, or supported subscription login. Local and custom model endpoints are documented; the auth route matters.<br>Sources: [Provider plugins](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/model-providers/official-provider-plugins); [Custom providers](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/model-providers/custom-providers)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** A shared Gateway is one trust domain. Configured remote model providers and messaging platforms receive their respective traffic.<br>Sources: [OpenClaw FAQ](https://docs.openclaw.ai/help/faq/what-is-openclaw)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. |
| [Hermes Agent: self-hosted](https://benchlm.ai/alternatives/openclaw#hermes-self-hosted)<br>v0.21.5 / v2026.9.24, released September 24, 2026<br>[Hermes release](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/releases/tag/v2026.9.24) | **Documented.** Run the agent on your own computer or host. The agent software is MIT licensed.<br>Sources: [Hermes pricing FAQ](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** Bring provider credentials or use a local endpoint such as Ollama, vLLM, or LM Studio. Model switching works among configured providers.<br>Sources: [Hermes provider routes](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/integrations/providers)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** A Nous subscription is optional. Provider accounts, tool services, and your chosen execution environment remain separate decisions.<br>Sources: [Hermes pricing FAQ](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/); [Hermes provider routes](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/integrations/providers)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. |
| [Hermes Agent + Nous Portal](https://benchlm.ai/alternatives/openclaw#hermes-portal)<br>Same agent; optional model and tool billing route | **Documented.** Portal supplies model and tool access. Buying Portal credits does not by itself move your agent into Hermes Cloud.<br>Sources: [Hermes pricing FAQ](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/); [Nous Portal integration](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/integrations/nous-portal)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** Nous OAuth authenticates a selectable model catalog and the Tool Gateway. Nous chooses the backend routing for each catalog model.<br>Sources: [Nous Portal integration](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/integrations/nous-portal)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** Selected tool calls use Nous-managed services. You can enable selected gateway tools and retain other configured backends.<br>Sources: [Nous Portal integration](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/integrations/nous-portal)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. |
| [Hermes Cloud](https://benchlm.ai/alternatives/openclaw#hermes-cloud)<br>Managed hosting path checked September 30, 2026 | **Documented.** Nous hosts a running Hermes instance. Hosting, model inference, and tools have distinct charges.<br>Sources: [Hermes Cloud billing](https://portal.nousresearch.com/cloud)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Partly documented.** Cloud setup lets you choose a model and instance size. Bring-your-own provider keys in that managed deployment were not confirmed.<br>Sources: [Hermes Cloud billing](https://portal.nousresearch.com/cloud)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** Deploy through a Nous account with an active subscription or at least $2 in credits. That balance requirement is not a monthly hosting price.<br>Sources: [Hermes Cloud billing](https://portal.nousresearch.com/cloud)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. |
| [Grok Bot](https://benchlm.ai/alternatives/openclaw#grok-bot)<br>Managed service; controls updated September 28, 2026<br>[Grok Bot controls](https://docs.x.ai/grok-bot/security) | **Documented.** The computer runs in Cursor cloud infrastructure. Customer-hosted deployment and custom machine images are unavailable.<br>Sources: [Grok Bot controls](https://docs.x.ai/grok-bot/security)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Partly documented.** Cursor selects the served model; there is no customer model picker. Usage analytics identify served models. BYOK was not documented in this check.<br>Sources: [Grok Bot controls](https://docs.x.ai/grok-bot/security)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** Bots on one account share a computer, browser sessions, files, and logins. Separate Bots do not establish separate security boundaries.<br>Sources: [Grok Bot FAQ](https://docs.x.ai/grok-bot/faq)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. |
| [OpenAI Dots](https://benchlm.ai/alternatives/openclaw#openai-dots)<br>Announced September 29, 2026; gradual rollout<br>[Dots announcement](https://openai.com/index/introducing-dots/) | **Documented.** Each dot has an OpenAI cloud computer. Access to your local computer is optional and starts off.<br>Sources: [Dots announcement](https://openai.com/index/introducing-dots/); [Dots rollout and regions](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/20001530-getting-started-with-your-dot)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Partly documented.** The launch names GPT-6 Astra. A customer model picker and BYOK route were not established by the launch or help sources.<br>Sources: [Dots announcement](https://openai.com/index/introducing-dots/); [Dots rollout and regions](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/20001530-getting-started-with-your-dot)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** You choose connected apps and permissions and can set rules for actions. Local access requires the ChatGPT desktop app.<br>Sources: [Dots announcement](https://openai.com/index/introducing-dots/); [Dots rollout and regions](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/20001530-getting-started-with-your-dot)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. |
| [Claude tasks / former Cowork](https://benchlm.ai/alternatives/openclaw#claude-tasks)<br>Unified Claude rollout checked September 30, 2026 | **Documented.** Cloud tasks can continue after you close your laptop. Tasks using local files or apps need Claude Desktop to stay open.<br>Sources: [Claude task rollout](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/16761823-claude-cowork-and-chat-are-one-claude)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Partly documented.** The Claude model picker remains available. A third-party model or BYOK route for these consumer tasks was not documented.<br>Sources: [Claude task rollout](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/16761823-claude-cowork-and-chat-are-one-claude)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** Task availability is rolling out gradually to Pro and Max accounts. Two accounts on the same plan can have different access.<br>Sources: [Claude task rollout](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/16761823-claude-cowork-and-chat-are-one-claude)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. |
| [Manus](https://benchlm.ai/alternatives/openclaw#manus)<br>Manus 2.0 announced September 28, 2026<br>[Manus 2.0 announcement](https://manus.im/blog/introducing-manus-2-0) | **Documented.** The 2.0 release includes a managed Cloud Computer option and authorized local computer access. Cloud Computer is a paid add-on.<br>Sources: [Manus 2.0 announcement](https://manus.im/blog/introducing-manus-2-0)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Unknown.** Current customer model selection and BYOK support were not established for Manus 2.0. Earlier release descriptions do not settle either question.<br>Sources: [Manus 2.0 announcement](https://manus.im/blog/introducing-manus-2-0)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Partly documented.** The release describes local execution inside a workspace you authorize. This review did not inspect an authenticated account or its permission settings.<br>Sources: [Manus 2.0 announcement](https://manus.im/blog/introducing-manus-2-0)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. |
| [Instinct: personal use](https://benchlm.ai/alternatives/openclaw#instinct)<br>Terms revised August 26, 2026<br>[Instinct terms, sections 4 and 6](https://instinct.com/terms) | **Unknown.** The product connects apps and devices. Its public pages did not establish the hosting arrangement or a customer-hosted option.<br>Sources: [Instinct product](https://instinct.com/)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Unknown.** Model choice, BYOK, and runtime authentication details were not established by the inspected public pages.<br>Sources: [Instinct product](https://instinct.com/); [Instinct terms, sections 4 and 6](https://instinct.com/terms)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** The terms restrict the service to personal use. Keep it outside a team or agency shortlist unless the provider supplies different applicable terms.<br>Sources: [Instinct terms, sections 4 and 6](https://instinct.com/terms)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. |

## Which account gets the bill?

Subscription prices, token rates, daily hosting charges, and credit allowances use different units. USD appears only where established; other $ figures retain the source symbol. No currency conversion or tax estimate is applied. [OpenClaw pricing](https://benchlm.ai/blog/posts/openclaw-pricing) includes a blank cost worksheet.

| Product | Billing account and fee | Included usage or service | Additional charges and limits |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| OpenClaw | **Documented.** No Foundation subscription or Foundation-hosted plan. Model providers, tool vendors, and your host bill their own services.<br>Sources: [OpenClaw FAQ](https://docs.openclaw.ai/help/faq/what-is-openclaw); [OpenClaw cost accounting](https://docs.openclaw.ai/reference/api-usage-costs)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** Installing the agent does not establish a hosted model or tool allowance. Any allowance belongs to the configured provider account.<br>Sources: [OpenClaw cost accounting](https://docs.openclaw.ai/reference/api-usage-costs)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** Remote inference, paid tools, and hosting depend on your setup. Local usage estimates are not a provider invoice.<br>Sources: [OpenClaw cost accounting](https://docs.openclaw.ai/reference/api-usage-costs)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. |
| Hermes Agent: self-hosted | **Documented.** No software license charge; model and optional service charges are separate. A Nous plan is not required.<br>Sources: [Hermes pricing FAQ](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** Model and tool usage depend on your chosen accounts. The MIT software license is not an inference allowance.<br>Sources: [Hermes pricing FAQ](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/); [Hermes provider routes](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/integrations/providers)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** Your provider, tools, and hardware or host determine the bill. A local endpoint still uses your own computing resources.<br>Sources: [Hermes pricing FAQ](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/); [Hermes provider routes](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/integrations/providers)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. |
| Hermes Agent + Nous Portal | **Documented.** Portal lists Plus $20, Super $100, and Ultra $200 per month. The inspected plan page displays $ without an ISO currency code.<br>Sources: [Portal plans](https://portal.nousresearch.com/manage-subscription)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** Monthly credits: Plus $22, Super $110, Ultra $220. Rollover caps: $10, $50, $100 respectively. Free has free models and $0 monthly credits.<br>Sources: [Portal plans](https://portal.nousresearch.com/manage-subscription)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** Models and gateway tools spend the Nous balance. Hosting is a separate charge if you choose Hermes Cloud.<br>Sources: [Nous Portal integration](https://hermes-agent.nousresearch.com/docs/integrations/nous-portal); [Hermes Cloud billing](https://portal.nousresearch.com/cloud)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. |
| Hermes Cloud | **Documented.** Hosting spends Nous credits: Medium $0.56/day running; Large $1.09/day running; stopped storage $0.03/day. ISO currency is unconfirmed.<br>Sources: [Hermes Cloud billing](https://portal.nousresearch.com/cloud)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** Running rates cover compute and storage. The service bills daily in UTC, in arrears, using actual running seconds and retained storage.<br>Sources: [Hermes Cloud billing](https://portal.nousresearch.com/cloud)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** Model and tool usage is additional. Stopping the instance retains its workspace and leaves a storage charge.<br>Sources: [Hermes Cloud billing](https://portal.nousresearch.com/cloud)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. |
| Grok Bot | **Documented.** Included with qualifying paid Cursor plans; no separate Bot subscription. Eligible individual SuperGrok accounts can be linked. Existing subscriptions retain their own bills.<br>Sources: [Cursor access and billing](https://cursor.com/help/grok-bot/plans)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** Weekly usage is included. For linked Cursor/SuperGrok subscriptions, the FAQ says the larger grant applies. Grants do not combine; a universal numeric allowance is not published.<br>Sources: [Grok Bot FAQ](https://docs.x.ai/grok-bot/faq); [Cursor access and billing](https://cursor.com/help/grok-bot/plans)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** Eligible on-demand usage is charged through Cursor using served-model and token costs. An active task can finish above a configured spend cap.<br>Sources: [Cursor access and billing](https://cursor.com/help/grok-bot/plans)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. |
| OpenAI Dots | **Documented.** First dot included with eligible Pro or Business Premium accounts. Pro is USD $100/$200/$500 monthly. Business Premium lists $100/user/month billed annually or $125 monthly; Enterprise pricing is custom.<br>Sources: [Dots announcement](https://openai.com/index/introducing-dots/); [ChatGPT Pro tiers](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/9793128-about-chatgpt-pro-tiers); [Business seat pricing](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/8980713-sign-up-for-chatgpt-business); [Enterprise pricing](https://openai.com/business/pricing/)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** Dot conversations do not consume ChatGPT usage. Deeper work has an allowance, extended during the first launch month; no fixed universal task count is established.<br>Sources: [Dots announcement](https://openai.com/index/introducing-dots/)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** Tasks delegated to Codex or ChatGPT Work consume those products' normal usage. Included access does not mean unlimited background work.<br>Sources: [Dots announcement](https://openai.com/index/introducing-dots/)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. |
| Claude tasks / former Cowork | **Documented.** Pro is USD $20/month on the US web checkout. Max lists $100/month for 5x or $200/month for 20x; regional and app-store prices can differ.<br>Sources: [Claude Pro terms](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/8325606-what-is-the-pro-plan); [Claude Max terms](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11049741-what-is-the-max-plan)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** Conversations and tasks use the same plan allowance. Long tasks can consume more usage; Pro has both five-hour and weekly limits.<br>Sources: [Claude task rollout](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/16761823-claude-cowork-and-chat-are-one-claude); [Claude Pro terms](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/8325606-what-is-the-pro-plan)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** Claude API and Console charges are separate from a paid Claude subscription. This does not turn every Claude integration into the same billing route.<br>Sources: [Claude API billing](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/9876003-i-have-a-paid-claude-subscription-pro-max-team-or-enterprise-plans-why-do-i-have-to-pay-separately-to-use-the-claude-api-and-console)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. |
| Manus | **Documented.** The monthly USD view shows $20/$40/$200 at selected 4,000/8,000/40,000 credits. Annual billing displays $17/$34/$167 per month, billed yearly; the exact annual invoice was not established.<br>Sources: [Manus pricing selectors](https://manus.im/pricing); [Manus currency terms](https://help.manus.im/en/articles/11711125-what-is-the-pricing-unit-for-manus-globally-can-i-pay-in-local-currency)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Documented.** Those selected amounts are monthly credits. Each inspected card also shows 300 refresh credits every day. Daily refresh credits are a separate allowance.<br>Sources: [Manus pricing selectors](https://manus.im/pricing)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Partly documented.** Cloud Computer is a paid add-on; its amount was not established. Customizable credit selections change the displayed subscription price.<br>Sources: [Manus 2.0 announcement](https://manus.im/blog/introducing-manus-2-0); [Manus pricing selectors](https://manus.im/pricing)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. |
| Instinct: personal use | **Unknown.** The terms specify USD for fees, but the inspected pages did not establish a current subscription amount or billing interval.<br>Sources: [Instinct product](https://instinct.com/); [Instinct terms, sections 4 and 6](https://instinct.com/terms)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Unknown.** Included usage, a free allowance, and an overage schedule were not established. Missing published prices do not establish a free service.<br>Sources: [Instinct product](https://instinct.com/); [Instinct terms, sections 4 and 6](https://instinct.com/terms)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. | **Unknown.** Connected-service charges and a complete invoice path were not established from the public pages inspected.<br>Sources: [Instinct product](https://instinct.com/); [Instinct terms, sections 4 and 6](https://instinct.com/terms)<br>Checked 2026-09-30. |

The [Grok Bot FAQ](https://docs.x.ai/grok-bot/faq) says the larger eligible linked Cursor/SuperGrok allowance is used; [Cursor access and billing](https://cursor.com/help/grok-bot/plans) says grants do not stack and subscriptions retain separate bills. The exact numeric account grant is unestablished. Manus' annual selector shows rounded monthly equivalents; confirm the annual invoice at checkout.

## Check access before choosing a plan

Dots Pro rollout excludes the EEA, Switzerland, and the UK. Business Premium follows supported ChatGPT regions; Enterprise beta starts off and requires administrator enablement. Creation requires the ChatGPT desktop app or desktop web. Business requires at least two paid seats, which can mix seat types. Sources: [Dots rollout and regions](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/20001530-getting-started-with-your-dot); [Business seat pricing](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/8980713-sign-up-for-chatgpt-business).

Grok Bot documents paid Cursor individual and self-serve Teams access. Individual SuperGrok, Plus, and Heavy can link; Lite, Team, and Enterprise SuperGrok cannot. X Premium+ can grant linked usage. Cursor Enterprise goes through the account team. [Cursor access and billing](https://cursor.com/help/grok-bot/plans).

Claude's Cowork and chat transition is gradual. Confirm tasks in your account; local-file work depends on an open desktop session. [Claude task rollout](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/16761823-claude-cowork-and-chat-are-one-claude).

Instinct pricing and account availability remain unresolved. Manus introduced Cue as invite-based early access; its ongoing price, model controls, and regions were not established. Sources: [Instinct product](https://instinct.com/); [Manus 2.0 announcement](https://manus.im/blog/introducing-manus-2-0).

## How to read and recheck this ledger

First-party sources, release notes, pricing, and terms were checked September 30, 2026. Source dates and review dates remain distinct. Manus pricing was inspected in logged-out monthly and annual browser selectors. We did not buy a plan, connect a personal account, execute a task suite, or reconcile invoices. Performance, reliability, and cost per successful task remain unmeasured.

Before paying, recheck the exact plan, currency, billing interval, allowance, region, and authentication route. For model selection, use [models for agent tasks](https://benchlm.ai/best/agents), [agent benchmark evidence](https://benchlm.ai/llm-agent-benchmarks), [model API pricing](https://benchlm.ai/llm-pricing), and the [token cost calculator](https://benchlm.ai/tools/cost-calculator). The [all-product comparison](https://benchlm.ai/ai-agents) covers the broader agent market.

## Questions

### Is a model API an alternative to OpenClaw?

A model API replaces the inference provider, not the surrounding agent product. OpenClaw still needs a runtime, tools, memory, and permissions. Its [provider plugins](https://docs.openclaw.ai/concepts/model-providers/official-provider-plugins) let you change inference without switching products. Start there if your concern is model behavior or API cost and the existing runtime otherwise suits your work.

### Does self-hosting keep all agent data local?

Self-hosting establishes where the runtime runs; it does not establish where every request goes. [OpenClaw's FAQ](https://docs.openclaw.ai/help/faq/what-is-openclaw) distinguishes local session storage from traffic sent to configured model providers and chat platforms. Inspect the model endpoint, remote tools, and messaging connections before relying on a local deployment to keep a particular workflow on your machine.

### Can I compare these subscriptions by the number of credits?

Credit counts are meaningful inside their own billing system. [Nous monthly balances](https://portal.nousresearch.com/manage-subscription) and [Manus monthly and daily allowances](https://manus.im/pricing) do not establish equal amounts of work. Compare the same tasks, required tools, retries, and final invoices before judging task cost. This ledger records published units; it does not convert unlike credits into a shared performance measure.