Muse / OpenClaw
Both are free to start and both reach you through chat apps such as WhatsApp. The difference is who holds the machine. Muse runs on a virtual machine Meta manages for you, while OpenClaw runs on your own hardware with whatever model you pick.
Meta's free errand agent that you text like a friend.
The free, self-hosted agent that works with any model.
| Difference | Muse | OpenClaw |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Muse takes a download, a Meta account sign-in and a payment card. | OpenClaw needs you to install the gateway on a computer or VPS, pick a model and connect your channels. |
| Ongoing cost | Muse charges nothing until you pass 100 million tokens in a week, then $20/month or $100/month. | OpenClaw is free software, but you pay for model usage and possibly a server. |
| Chat channels | Muse offers WhatsApp plus its own app, muse.ai and the Mac app. | OpenClaw offers 29 channels, including Telegram, Signal, WhatsApp and Discord. |
| Data control | Muse keeps your data in a Secure VM that Meta manages. | OpenClaw keeps memory, credentials and state on your own hardware. |
| Availability | Muse is for adults in the US and Canada. | OpenClaw runs anywhere you can run Node.js. |
Pick Muse if you want to be up and running in minutes and you are based in the US or Canada.
Pick OpenClaw if you would rather keep your data away from Meta, prefer Telegram or Signal, or live outside the US and Canada.
Capability grid
| Muse | OpenClaw | |
|---|---|---|
| Keeps working when you close the app | Yes | Yes |
| Messages you first | Yes | Partly |
| Has its own cloud computer | Yes | No |
| Lives in chat apps | Partly | Yes |
| Voice | Partly | Partly |
| Can buy things | Yes | Partly |
| Standing rules you can edit | Partly | Yes |
| Choose any model | No | Yes |
| Runs on your own machine | No | Yes |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Team and business plans | Partly | Partly |
Muse wins on convenience and is the better choice for non-technical people in the US and Canada. OpenClaw wins on control and reach, as long as you are willing to maintain and secure it yourself.