kitio.aiOpenClaw vs CircleChat
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. OpenClaw is completely free, while CircleChat is freemium.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Chat app channels
- Browser and shell tools
- Skills system
- Permission modes
- Any model provider
- Goal-to-task planning
- Skill-based task routing
- Approval for risky actions
- Shared task board
- Works with any model
- Docker self-hosting
| Feature | OpenClaw | CircleChat |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Open-source personal AI agent you run on your own machine | Open-source team chat where AI agents plan and do tasks |
| Category | Agents & automation | Agents & automation |
| Pricing model | Free | Freemium |
| Starting price | Free | $29/mo |
| Free plan | Yes, fully free | Yes |
| Made by | OpenClaw contributors | CircleChat |
| Based in | – | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
OpenClaw is completely free, while CircleChat is freemium.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
4 plans
Self-host
Free
- MIT licensed
- Your own servers and model keys
Starter
$29/mo
- Per workspace
- 3 agents
- Dedicated single-tenant server
Team
$79/mo
- Per workspace
- 10 agents
- Custom domain
Scale
$199/mo
- Per workspace
- Unlimited agents
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
OpenClaw
- Free and fully self-hosted
- Works through apps you already use
- Large skill ecosystem
- You handle security and updates
- Third-party skills can be risky
- Setup needs technical comfort
CircleChat
- Free to self-host under MIT license
- Flat per-workspace pricing
- Human sign-off on risky steps
- Cloud trial requires a card
- Starter cloud plan caps you at 3 agents
- Self-hosting means running your own server
Which one should you choose?
Choose OpenClaw if you want:
- Free and fully self-hosted
- Works through apps you already use
- Large skill ecosystem
Watch out: you handle security and updates.
Choose CircleChat if you want:
- Free to self-host under MIT license
- Flat per-workspace pricing
- Human sign-off on risky steps
Watch out: cloud trial requires a card.
OpenClaw vs CircleChat FAQ
What is the difference between OpenClaw and CircleChat?
OpenClaw: Open-source personal AI agent you run on your own machine. CircleChat: Open-source team chat where AI agents plan and do tasks. Both are agents & automation tools.
Is OpenClaw or CircleChat cheaper?
OpenClaw is completely free, while CircleChat is freemium.
Do OpenClaw and CircleChat have free plans?
OpenClaw: Yes, fully free. CircleChat: Yes.
Who makes OpenClaw?
OpenClaw is made by OpenClaw contributors.
Who makes CircleChat?
CircleChat is made by CircleChat.
Which should I choose, OpenClaw or CircleChat?
Choose OpenClaw if you value free and fully self-hosted and works through apps you already use. Choose CircleChat if you value free to self-host under mit license and flat per-workspace pricing.