Your AI, Your Model: Multi-Model Support
Anthropic Claude or OpenAI GPT. Pick the model that powers your OpenClaw agent, suited to your task, your budget, and your preference. Switch anytime with your own API key.
Why Model Choice Matters
Different AI models have different strengths. Anthropic's Claude excels at careful reasoning, nuanced writing, and following complex instructions. OpenAI's GPT models are strong at creative tasks, code generation, and broad general knowledge.
Locking you into a single model means locking you into that model's strengths and weaknesses. OpenClaw's multi-model support (the project was previously known as MoltBot and ClawdBot) gives you the freedom to choose based on your specific needs. Your instance runs on RunTheAgent' secure managed infrastructure with encrypted API keys. Running a customer service assistant? Try Claude's careful, thorough communication style. Need creative content generation? GPT might be your preference.
Because you bring your own API key, you also control costs directly. You see exactly what you are spending on AI model usage, with no markup or hidden fees from the platform.
Anthropic Claude vs OpenAI GPT
Anthropic Claude
- Excellent at following detailed instructions
- Strong reasoning and analytical capabilities
- Careful, thorough communication style
- Good at identifying nuances and edge cases
- Tends toward longer, more detailed responses
- Strong safety and alignment features
OpenAI GPT
- Strong creative writing and ideation
- Excellent code generation capabilities
- Broad general knowledge base
- Good at concise, punchy responses
- Large ecosystem of tools and integrations
- Frequent model updates and improvements
How Multi-Model Support Works in Practice
Bring Your Own API Key
You sign up for an API key directly with Anthropic or OpenAI. You enter it in your RunTheAgent dashboard. Your AI requests go directly to your chosen provider. No middleman markup.
Switch Models Anytime
Want to try a different model? Change your API key in the dashboard. Your assistant immediately starts using the new model. No migration, no downtime, no reconfiguration needed.
Cost Transparency
Because you pay the model provider directly through your API key, you see exactly what your AI usage costs. RunTheAgent charges a flat $32.50/month for hosting, and model costs are separate and transparent.
Future-Proof
As new models are released by Anthropic and OpenAI, OpenClaw adds support for them. You are never stuck on an outdated model or waiting for a proprietary platform to integrate the latest release.
Choosing the Right Model
Customer Communication
For client-facing AI communication, many users prefer Anthropic Claude for its careful, thorough response style. It tends to be more cautious and precise, which reduces the risk of awkward or incorrect responses.
Research and Data Tasks
For web research, data compilation, and information extraction, both models perform well. Choose based on your budget and preference. Claude tends to be more methodical; GPT tends to be more creative in its approach.
Content and Creative Work
For drafting content, brainstorming ideas, or generating creative text, OpenAI's GPT models are often preferred. They tend to produce more varied, creative output.
Understanding API Costs in Practice
One of the most common questions about multi-model support is cost. Because you bring your own API key, you pay the model provider directly based on usage. Here is what typical usage looks like in practice.
A light user (10-20 messages per day, occasional web research) typically spends $5-10/month on API costs. A moderate user (50-100 messages per day, regular browser automation and research) spends $15-25/month. A heavy user (hundreds of messages, extensive web browsing, complex multi-step tasks) might spend $30-50/month.
These costs are separate from the $32.50/month RunTheAgent hosting fee. The key advantage is transparency: you see exactly what you are spending on your Anthropic or OpenAI dashboard. There is no markup, no hidden fees, and no bundled pricing that obscures what you are actually paying for AI model usage versus hosting.
Model Pricing at a Glance
Anthropic Claude
- Claude Sonnet: lower cost, great for most tasks
- Claude Opus: higher cost, best for complex reasoning
- Strong at following detailed instructions
- Thorough, careful communication style
- Excellent for customer-facing responses
OpenAI GPT
- GPT-4o: balanced cost and capability
- GPT-4o mini: lowest cost for simple tasks
- Strong creative writing and ideation
- Concise, punchy responses
- Large ecosystem and community resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
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