# Dots / OpenClaw

This is a choice about who runs the infrastructure. Dots is managed by OpenAI, with its safety stack built in and a subscription to match. OpenClaw costs nothing to install and runs on your hardware with any model, which also makes every security decision yours.

## Cost

- Dots: Dots requires ChatGPT Pro from $100/month or a Business Premium seat.
- OpenClaw: OpenClaw is free software, plus model usage and a server, often $5 to $20/month for a small VPS.

## Model

- Dots: Dots runs on GPT-6 Astra.
- OpenClaw: OpenClaw works with Claude, GPT, Gemini or a local model.

## Chat channels

- Dots: Dots is available in ChatGPT, Slack and Microsoft Teams.
- OpenClaw: OpenClaw supports 29 channels, including Telegram, WhatsApp, Signal and Discord.

## Security

- Dots: Dots comes with managed guardrails: built-in policies, Custom Rules, automatic review and a password vault.
- OpenClaw: OpenClaw ships with a loopback-only gateway, token auth and per-tool policies, but updates and exposure are your job.

## Availability

- Dots: Dots is not offered where ChatGPT is unavailable, such as Russia and mainland China.
- OpenClaw: OpenClaw runs anywhere you can run Node.js.

- Pick Dots if you would rather pay $100/month or more than maintain a server, and you want security handled for you.
- Pick OpenClaw if you want to own the setup, talk to your agent in Telegram or WhatsApp, choose the model yourself, or live somewhere Dots does not reach.

## Verdict

Dots is the lower-effort option and the safer default for anyone who will not maintain a server. OpenClaw is cheaper and more flexible, but only a good idea if you keep it updated and never expose the gateway to the internet.