Quick Summary

Anthropic

Creator of Claude AI models with advanced reasoning capabilities

  • 200K context window
  • Image understanding
  • Tool/function calling
View Full Guide

OpenAI (Standard)

Standard OpenAI API for GPT models

  • Standard OpenAI access
  • GPT-4o models
  • Simple setup
View Full Guide

Model Comparison

Aspect Anthropic OpenAI (Standard)
Number of Models 2 2
Default Model Claude Sonnet 4 GPT-4o
Max Context Window 200K tokens 128K tokens
Image Support ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Tool/Function Calling ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Pricing Model

Authentication

Anthropic

api_key

Standard API key authentication

ANTHROPIC_API_KEY
oauth

OAuth for Claude subscriptions

OpenAI (Standard)

api_key

Standard API key only

OPENAI_API_KEY

Pros & Cons

Anthropic

Pros

  • Excellent at following complex instructions
  • Strong reasoning and coding abilities
  • Large context window
  • Good safety alignment

Cons

  • Higher cost than some alternatives
  • Rate limits on free tier
  • No fine-tuning available

OpenAI (Standard)

Pros

  • Simple setup
  • Well-documented
  • Stable API

Cons

  • No OAuth support
  • Limited to API key auth

Best Use Cases

Choose Anthropic if you need:

  • Complex coding tasks
  • Document analysis
  • Creative writing
  • Research assistance

Choose OpenAI (Standard) if you need:

  • Simple integrations
  • API-key only environments
  • Standard chat applications

Use with Messaging Channels

Both providers work with all OpenClaw messaging channels:

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Anthropic or OpenAI (Standard)?
It depends on your use case. Anthropic excels at complex coding tasks, while OpenAI (Standard) is best for simple integrations. Consider your specific needs for context length, pricing, and feature requirements.
Can I use both Anthropic and OpenAI (Standard) with OpenClaw?
Yes! OpenClaw supports multiple providers simultaneously. You can configure Anthropic as your primary and OpenAI (Standard) as a fallback, or use different providers for different agents.
Which has better pricing, Anthropic or OpenAI (Standard)?
Anthropic uses undefined pricing, while OpenAI (Standard) uses undefined. The best value depends on your usage volume and whether you need premium features.