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Best AI Models to Use with OpenClaw (Comparison Guide)

This guide compares the AI models supported by OpenClaw. Learn which provider to choose during setup and how different models affect your agent’s performance.

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When setting up OpenClaw, one of the most important decisions is choosing the AI model that will power your agent.
OpenClaw itself is the system that connects everything together — your messaging channels, automation workflows, and AI tools. But the actual responses and reasoning come from the AI model you select during configuration.
If you open the OpenClaw configuration wizard, you’ll notice that several AI providers are supported. Each model behaves slightly differently depending on speed, reasoning ability, and cost.
In this guide, we’ll look at the AI models shown during the OpenClaw setup process, compare them, and help you understand which option might be best for your use case.

Video Walkthrough

If you'd like to see the setup and model selection visually, watch the walkthrough below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bBp9cU-ZqQ
The video demonstrates how OpenClaw interacts with AI models during configuration and how the system works once the model is connected.

Where AI Models Appear in OpenClaw Setup

During the configuration process, OpenClaw asks you to choose a model provider.
At this point, the CLI interface shows a list of supported providers.
From the setup interface shown in the screenshots, the available providers include:
  • OpenAI
  • Anthropic
  • MiniMax
  • Moonshot AI (Kimi)
  • Google
  • XAI
  • OpenRouter
  • Qwen
  • GLM
  • Copilot
  • Venice AI
  • Vercel AI Gateway
Once you select one of these providers, OpenClaw then asks for an API key so the agent can communicate with that model.

AI Models Supported by OpenClaw

Below is a simplified comparison based on the providers visible in the setup interface.
Provider
Example Model
What It’s Good For
OpenAI
GPT models
General AI tasks and automation
Anthropic
Claude models
Reasoning and long responses
Moonshot AI
Kimi models
Long context and coding tasks
Google
Gemini models
Multimodal workflows
MiniMax
MiniMax models
Fast responses
OpenRouter
Multiple aggregated models
Switching between providers
Qwen
Qwen models
Alternative AI models
GLM
GLM models
AI chat and automation
Copilot
GitHub Copilot models
Coding workflows
This flexibility is one of the biggest advantages of OpenClaw — you’re not locked into a single AI ecosystem.

How Model Selection Works in OpenClaw

When running the configuration command inside the terminal, OpenClaw asks which sections you want to configure.
Once you select Model, the system shows the list of providers mentioned earlier.
After selecting the provider:
  1. OpenClaw requests the API key
  1. The key is validated
  1. The selected model becomes the default AI engine
From that point forward, every request sent by the OpenClaw agent will use that AI model.

Example Workflow

A typical setup might look like this:
  1. Start OpenClaw configuration
  1. Select Model provider
  1. Choose a provider (for example OpenAI or Anthropic)
  1. Enter the API key
  1. Save the configuration
Once complete, the AI model is ready to process requests from messaging channels such as Telegram or WhatsApp.

Choosing the Right Model

Different users choose different models depending on how they plan to use OpenClaw.
For example:
Use Case
Suggested Model
General chatbot
OpenAI
Advanced reasoning
Anthropic
Long conversations
Kimi
Experimenting with multiple models
OpenRouter
Coding assistance
Copilot
Since OpenClaw allows switching models later, you can experiment with different providers without rebuilding your setup.

Why OpenClaw Supports Multiple Models

The goal of OpenClaw is flexibility.
Instead of forcing users to rely on a single AI provider, the platform allows multiple integrations so developers can:
  • test different models
  • compare response quality
  • control API costs
  • adapt to new AI models as they appear
This design makes OpenClaw useful for both experimentation and production systems.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right AI model is a key step when setting up OpenClaw.
From the configuration interface shown in the setup screenshots, OpenClaw supports a wide range of providers including OpenAI, Anthropic, Moonshot AI, Google, and several others.
The best approach is usually to start with a model you are familiar with, test it inside your workflow, and adjust later if needed.
Because OpenClaw allows you to change models easily, you’re free to experiment until you find the setup that works best for your AI agent.