Open-source AI agents
Hermes Agent vs OpenClaude
“OpenClaude” is not one product. Most people who type it mean OpenClaw, the open-source agent framework, and some want Claude running inside an agent. This page explains what you are probably looking for and how Hermes Agent compares.
Short answer: If you meant OpenClaw, it is a real open-source agent framework, and Hermes Agent is its closest alternative. Choose Hermes Agent for an agent that keeps memory and learns skills over time. Choose OpenClaw for the widest messaging reach. If you wanted Claude itself, both can run Claude models with an Anthropic API key.
How we wrote this: We run OpenClaw Launch, which hosts both Hermes Agent and OpenClaw, so we have a stake in both. Searches for “openclaude” rose about 180% on Google Trends in the 24 hours to October 1, 2026. Google’s related queries for the term were “opencode” and “openclaw”, which matches what we see: people are reaching for an open-source agent and mixing up the names. We did not find an established product called OpenClaude to review, so we do not describe one here.
What people usually mean by “OpenClaude”
The name blends “open” and “Claude”, so searches land in four places:
- OpenClaw. The most common case. OpenClaw is an open-source agent framework that connects an AI model to messaging apps, tools and your own machine. The spelling is close enough that “OpenClaude” is an easy slip. Source: OpenClaw on GitHub.
- Claude inside an open-source agent. Claude is Anthropic’s model family. Open-source agents such as Hermes Agent and OpenClaw can use Claude models with an Anthropic API key. See Hermes Agent with Claude.
- Claude Code. Anthropic’s own coding agent for the terminal. It is a coding tool rather than an always-on assistant. See Hermes Agent vs Claude Code.
- OpenCode. An open-source coding agent, and the top related search for “openclaude”. See our OpenCode comparison.
You may also find small repositories or forks that use the name. They are not affiliated with Anthropic, the OpenClaw Foundation, Nous Research or us. Read the source and check who maintains it before you give one your API keys.
What is Hermes Agent?
Hermes Agent is an open-source agent from Nous Research. It keeps memory across sessions, writes reusable skills from work it has done, runs scheduled jobs and talks to you through messaging apps. It works with the model of your choice, Claude included. Source: Hermes Agent on GitHub.
You can run Hermes on your own server or deploy it on OpenClaw Launch, where we manage the container and you connect Telegram, Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, WeChat or Feishu from the dashboard.
Quick comparison: Hermes Agent vs OpenClaw
Because “OpenClaude” almost always means OpenClaw, this is the comparison that matters.
| Category | OpenClaw (usual meaning of “OpenClaude”) | Hermes Agent |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | An open-source, local-first agent framework from the OpenClaw Foundation | An open-source agent from Nous Research that builds memory and skills as you use it |
| Centre of the product | A control plane that reaches many messaging apps and devices | One long-lived agent that gets better at your recurring work |
| Messaging reach | 20+ channels upstream, plus voice, canvas and camera nodes | Telegram, Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, WeChat, Feishu and web chat on OpenClaw Launch; more adapters upstream |
| Memory and skills | Session store and workspace skills | Persistent memory, session search and skills it writes itself after complex tasks |
| Models | Any supported provider, including Anthropic Claude with an API key | Any supported provider, including Anthropic Claude with an API key |
| Config file | openclaw.json | ~/.hermes/config.yaml |
| Self-hosting | Yes, open source | Yes, open source |
| Managed hosting here | 30-minute free trial, then Lite from $3 for the first month or Pro at $20/month | Same plans and trial |
Sources: OpenClaw, Hermes Agent, and our pricing and integrations pages. For a longer write-up, see Hermes Agent vs OpenClaw.
Memory and skills: where Hermes is different
Hermes is built around one agent that accumulates. After a complex task it can write a skill describing the steps, then reuse it next time. Memory persists across sessions, and you can search past conversations. The practical result is that a Hermes instance tends to get more useful the longer it runs. See Hermes Agent memory.
OpenClaw also supports skills and keeps a session store, but its emphasis is elsewhere. If you want an assistant that remembers your projects and picks up your routines, Hermes is the closer fit.
Messaging reach: where OpenClaw is different
OpenClaw is designed as a local control plane. Upstream it reaches 20+ messaging platforms and adds companion surfaces such as voice, canvas and camera. If you need a channel that few agents support, check OpenClaw first.
Hermes has its own multi-platform gateway. On OpenClaw Launch you can connect Telegram, Discord, Slack, WhatsApp, WeChat and Feishu, or use web chat. That covers what most people need from a personal or team assistant.
Using Claude with either agent
If “Claude” was the part of “OpenClaude” you cared about, both agents can run Claude models. You choose the model in the agent’s settings and supply an Anthropic API key, or use the AI credits included in our plans. Anthropic does not permit third-party services to route requests through Claude Pro or Max subscription credentials, so a Claude chat subscription does not power either agent here. See why we don’t offer Claude subscription login and the model catalog.
Pricing on OpenClaw Launch
Hermes Agent and OpenClaw use the same plans here:
- Free trial: 30 minutes of web chat, no credit card required.
- Lite: $3 for the first month, then $6/month, with $1/month in AI credits.
- Pro: $20/month, with $10/month in AI credits and up to 3 instances.
Hosting and AI usage are separate budgets. Heavy use beyond the included credits needs a top-up or your own provider key. Both projects are also free to self-host if you would rather run the server yourself.
Which should you choose?
Choose Hermes Agent if you want an assistant that remembers your context, writes its own skills and runs scheduled jobs that report back in Telegram, Slack, WhatsApp or WeChat.
Choose OpenClaw if you need the broadest set of messaging channels, companion devices such as voice or camera, or a local-first setup on your own hardware.
If you are still unsure, give one recurring task to each, such as a morning summary of three things you care about, and run it for a week. Missed runs and how easy the agent is to correct will tell you more than a feature table.
Frequently asked questions
What is OpenClaude?
There is no single, established product called OpenClaude that we can point you to. Most people who search for it mean OpenClaw, the open-source AI agent framework, because the two names sound and look alike. Others are looking for Claude, Anthropic’s model, running inside an open-source agent, or for coding agents such as Claude Code or OpenCode.
Is OpenClaude the same as OpenClaw?
In most searches, yes: “OpenClaude” is a misspelling or misremembering of OpenClaw. OpenClaw is an open-source agent framework maintained by the OpenClaw Foundation. It is not made by Anthropic, and it is not limited to Claude models.
Is OpenClaw made by Anthropic?
No. OpenClaw is developed by the OpenClaw Foundation, an independent nonprofit. It can use Claude models through an Anthropic API key, the same way it can use models from OpenAI, Google, DeepSeek and other providers.
Can Hermes Agent use Claude?
Yes. Hermes Agent can call Anthropic Claude models with an Anthropic API key, alongside other providers. Anthropic does not permit third-party services to route requests through Claude Pro or Max subscription credentials, so on OpenClaw Launch Claude runs on an API key or our included credits, not your Claude subscription.
Should I pick Hermes Agent or OpenClaw?
Pick Hermes Agent if you want one long-lived agent that remembers context and turns repeated work into reusable skills. Pick OpenClaw if you need the widest messaging reach or companion devices such as voice and camera. OpenClaw Launch hosts both on the same plans, so you can try one and switch.
Related comparisons and guides
- Hermes Agent vs OpenClaw: the full comparison
- What is OpenClaw?: the project most “OpenClaude” searches mean
- Hermes Agent vs Claude Code: always-on agent or coding agent
- Hermes Agent with Claude: run Claude models in Hermes