OpenClaw vs AutoGPT vs AgentGPT: Which AI Agent is Best?
The AI agent landscape has exploded in 2026. Three frameworks stand out: OpenClaw, AutoGPT, and AgentGPT. But they serve very different purposes. Here's an honest comparison.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | OpenClaw | AutoGPT | AgentGPT |
|---|---|---|---|
| GitHub Stars | 120K+ | 160K+ | 30K+ |
| Self-Hosted | ✓ Full | ✓ Full | Partial |
| Chat Channels | 16+ | None | Web only |
| Skills/Plugins | 5,700+ | Limited | None |
| Voice Support | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mobile Apps | iOS + Android | ✗ | ✗ |
| Primary Use | Personal assistant | Task automation | Web-based agent |
| Setup Time | 5 minutes | 15-30 min | Instant (hosted) |
OpenClaw: The Personal Assistant
OpenClaw's killer feature is its multi-channel inbox. It's designed to be your always-on personal AI assistant that you can message from WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, or any of 16+ supported platforms.
Strengths: multi-channel, skills ecosystem, voice support, mobile apps, active development.
AutoGPT: The Task Automator
AutoGPT pioneered the autonomous AI agent concept. It's designed to break down complex goals into sub-tasks and execute them autonomously. It's more focused on task automation than being a personal assistant.
AgentGPT: The Web Interface
AgentGPT provides a web-based interface for creating and running AI agents. It's the easiest to get started with but offers less customization and no chat channel integration.
Which Should You Choose?
- Choose OpenClaw if you want a personal AI assistant you can message from any chat app, with a rich skills ecosystem and full self-hosting.
- Choose AutoGPT if you need autonomous task execution and goal-oriented workflows.
- Choose AgentGPT if you want the simplest possible setup with a web interface.