kitio.aiOpenClaw vs Windmill
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. OpenClaw is completely free, while Windmill 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
- Multi-language scripts
- Flow orchestration
- Auto-generated UIs
- Internal app builder
- AI agent steps
| Feature | OpenClaw | Windmill |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Open-source personal AI agent you run on your own machine | Code-first platform for scripts, workflows, apps and AI agents |
| Category | Agents & automation | Agents & automation |
| Pricing model | Free | Freemium |
| Starting price | Free | $120/mo |
| Free plan | Yes, fully free | Yes |
| Made by | OpenClaw contributors | Windmill Labs |
| Based in | – | France |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
OpenClaw is completely free, while Windmill is freemium.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
2 plans
Free and Open-source
Free
- Unlimited executions
- 3 workspaces, up to 50 users
- Max 4 groups
Enterprise
From $120/mo
- $20/mo per builder seat
- Unlimited workspaces and users
- Observability and security features
- 1-month free trial
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
Windmill
- Real code in many languages
- Fast and self-hostable
- Combines jobs, flows and apps
- Requires programming skills
- Smaller connector library than no-code tools
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 Windmill if you want:
- Real code in many languages
- Fast and self-hostable
- Combines jobs, flows and apps
Watch out: requires programming skills.
OpenClaw vs Windmill FAQ
What is the difference between OpenClaw and Windmill?
OpenClaw: Open-source personal AI agent you run on your own machine. Windmill: Code-first platform for scripts, workflows, apps and AI agents. Both are agents & automation tools.
Is OpenClaw or Windmill cheaper?
OpenClaw is completely free, while Windmill is freemium.
Do OpenClaw and Windmill have free plans?
OpenClaw: Yes, fully free. Windmill: Yes.
Who makes OpenClaw?
OpenClaw is made by OpenClaw contributors.
Who makes Windmill?
Windmill is made by Windmill Labs, based in France.
Which should I choose, OpenClaw or Windmill?
Choose OpenClaw if you value free and fully self-hosted and works through apps you already use. Choose Windmill if you value real code in many languages and fast and self-hostable.