I Tested Clawly and OpenClaw for 30 Days as a Freelancer: Here's What Actually Worked
Freelancers lose an average of 15 hours per week to admin work—emails, invoices, scheduling, CRM updates. That's nearly two full workdays spent on tasks that don't directly generate revenue.
I spent 30 days testing two AI assistants side-by-side to see which one could actually give that time back. Here's what worked, what didn't, and which platform came out ahead for real freelance workflows.
What Is OpenClaw and Why Freelancers Care
OpenClaw is an open-source AI agent platform that can execute real-world tasks on your behalf. Instead of just answering questions like a chatbot, OpenClaw books appointments, sends emails, updates spreadsheets, and handles multi-step workflows without you clicking through each action yourself.
The appeal for freelancers is straightforward. You describe what you want done, and the AI figures out how to accomplish it. For anyone spending hours on admin work each week, that sounds like a path to getting time back.
Here's the catch, though. "Open-source" means the experience varies depending on how OpenClaw is set up and where it's hosted. Some users run it on their own computers, others rely on third-party services, and that variability creates questions about consistency and security that matter when you're connecting business tools.
What Is Clawly and How It Works for Solopreneurs
Clawly takes a different approach entirely. It's a Telegram-based AI assistant that plugs directly into tools you already use—Gmail, Stripe, Calendly, HubSpot, Notion, and over 60 others.
You message Clawly the same way you'd message a human assistant. Something like "Send an invoice to Sarah for $500" or "Follow up with leads who haven't replied in three days." Clawly handles the execution from there.
The distinction worth noting: Clawly positions itself as an "AI employee" that learns your workflows over time. Rather than waiting for instructions on every single task, it adapts to how you work and can act proactively as your business changes.
| Feature | Clawly | OpenClaw |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | Telegram chat | Browser or self-hosted |
| Setup time | Under 60 seconds | Varies widely |
| Primary use | Business admin automation | General AI agent tasks |
| Learning curve | Minimal | Moderate to steep |
How I Tested Both AI Assistants for 30 Days
I ran both platforms side-by-side for a full month, delegating the same categories of tasks to each. The goal was simple: figure out which AI could actually reduce my admin load in practice, not just in theory.
Tasks I Delegated to Each AI
- Client communication: emails, follow-ups, check-ins
- Billing and payments: invoices, reminders, expense logging
- Scheduling: meeting coordination, calendar management
- CRM updates: contact records, pipeline tracking
Tools I Connected During the Test
For Clawly, I connected Gmail, Stripe, Calendly, HubSpot, and Notion. The integrations worked immediately—connect once, start delegating right away.
OpenClaw required more configuration upfront. I spent time setting up connections and testing whether each integration behaved as expected before I could rely on it.
How I Measured Time Saved
I tracked whether tasks got done faster, whether I stopped switching between apps constantly, and whether I could focus on client work instead of admin. Perfect metrics weren't the point. The real question was simpler: which AI actually freed up my time?
Clawly vs OpenClaw for Client Communication and Email
Email is where most freelancers lose hours every week. Both platforms promise to help with inbox management, but the experience differed in ways that mattered.
Email Inbox Triage
Clawly's Gmail integration let me ask "What's urgent in my inbox?" and get a prioritized summary back. I could reply directly from the chat, and after learning my communication style, Clawly drafted responses that sounded like me.
OpenClaw handled email tasks too, though setup took longer and the initial responses felt more generic until I spent time refining prompts.
Lead Follow-Ups
With Clawly, I set up automated follow-ups for leads who hadn't replied in 48 hours. No manual triggers required—Clawly just handled the outreach on schedule.
OpenClaw could accomplish similar workflows, but each sequence required more explicit configuration to get right.
Client Check-Ins
Clawly proactively reminded me about clients I hadn't contacted recently. That kind of anticipation—without me asking first—was where the "AI employee" concept felt tangible rather than marketing speak.
Clawly vs OpenClaw for Invoicing and Payments
Getting paid faster matters when you're running a freelance business. Here's how each platform performed on billing tasks.
Creating and Sending Invoices
"Send Sarah an invoice for $500 for the website project." With Clawly's Stripe integration, that one message created and sent the invoice. Done in seconds.
OpenClaw could generate invoices too, though the process involved more steps and manual confirmation along the way.
Payment Reminders and Follow-Ups
Clawly automatically sent payment reminders based on due dates I'd set. I didn't chase payments manually anymore—Clawly handled the follow-up sequence.
Expense Tracking
Logging expenses through conversation worked smoothly. Something like "Add $47 for Adobe subscription to expenses" and Clawly recorded it through the connected finance integration.
Clawly vs OpenClaw for Scheduling and Calendar Management
Back-and-forth scheduling emails eat up time that could go toward actual work. Both platforms aimed to eliminate that friction.
Meeting Coordination
Clawly connected to Calendly and Cal.com directly. "Schedule a call with Mike next week" checked my availability and sent booking options automatically without me opening another app.
Availability Syncing
Real-time calendar awareness meant Clawly never double-booked me. It pulled availability across all connected calendars before suggesting times.
Reminder Automation
Meeting prep reminders and follow-up prompts happened proactively. Before a call, Clawly surfaced relevant context from previous conversations so I walked in prepared.
Clawly vs OpenClaw for CRM Updates and Lead Management
Keeping your CRM accurate without manual data entry is the dream for anyone managing a sales pipeline. Here's how each platform approached the problem.
Contact Updates
Clawly logged interactions to HubSpot automatically. After sending an email or completing a call, the CRM updated without me touching it.
Deal Pipeline Tracking
"What deals are stuck in proposal stage?" Clawly pulled pipeline data and flagged stalled opportunities so I knew where to focus attention.
Status Syncing Across Tools
When I updated a deal in one place, Clawly kept other connected systems in sync. One conversation updated multiple tools simultaneously.
AI Assistant Integrations Compared
The depth of integrations determines how useful an AI assistant actually becomes for your specific workflow. A platform that connects to your existing tools saves setup time and reduces friction.
| Category | Clawly | OpenClaw |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | Gmail, WhatsApp, Slack, voice | Email, basic messaging |
| Project Management | Asana, ClickUp, Notion, Trello, Linear, Monday | Varies by setup |
| Billing & Finance | Stripe, QuickBooks, Green Invoice | Limited native options |
| CRM | HubSpot, Pipedrive | Requires configuration |
Communication Tools
Clawly handles email, WhatsApp, and AI phone capabilities. You can manage client communication across channels from one chat interface rather than switching between apps.
Project Management Platforms
Task creation, status updates, and project tracking work across Asana, ClickUp, Notion, and several others. "Create a task in Asana for the homepage redesign" executes immediately.
Billing and Finance Apps
Stripe invoicing, QuickBooks expenses, and payment tracking integrate natively. No middleware or additional setup required to connect billing workflows.
AI Assistant Security Risks to Know
Giving an AI access to your business tools raises legitimate security questions. Both platforms handle data differently, and the differences matter.
OpenClaw Security Concerns
Security experts have raised concerns about OpenClaw's architecture. Because it's open-source with variable hosting options, data handling depends heavily on how each instance is deployed. Some implementations may not meet the security standards you'd expect for business data.
How Clawly Protects Your Data
Clawly is encrypted with a clear policy: your data stays yours. The platform was built with small business security as a core consideration rather than an afterthought.
Clawly vs OpenClaw Pricing Compared
Value matters when you're watching expenses carefully. Here's how the costs break down.
| Plan | Clawly | OpenClaw |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Yes | Varies |
| Paid plans | From $29/month | Depends on hosting |
| Setup cost | $0 | Time investment |
Free Tier Comparison
Clawly offers a functional free tier. You can start delegating immediately without entering a credit card.
Paid Plans and What You Get
Clawly Pro starts at $29/month with expanded capabilities and integrations. OpenClaw costs depend on hosting choices and any third-party services involved in your setup.
Cost vs Human Virtual Assistant
A human virtual assistant typically costs $1,500–$3,000/month and requires weeks of hiring and training. Clawly works instantly, runs 24/7, and requires zero onboarding time.
Setup Speed Compared
Time-to-value matters when you're busy running a business and want to see results quickly.
Clawly: Sign up with Google, connect Telegram, start delegating. Ready in under a minute.
OpenClaw: Requires more technical setup, potential self-hosting decisions, and configuration time. Going from signup to watching tasks get done takes significantly longer.
Which AI Assistant Wins for Freelancers
After 30 days, the verdict became clear. For freelancers and solopreneurs who want to run their business without drowning in admin, Clawly offers faster setup, deeper integrations, and proactive assistance that matches how small businesses actually operate day-to-day.
OpenClaw has potential for technically-inclined users who want maximum customization and don't mind the setup investment. For most freelancers, though, the plug-and-play experience wins.
Start delegating for free at Clawly—no credit card required.
Frequently Asked Questions About AI Assistants for Freelancers
What is the difference between AI assistants and AI agents?
AI assistants respond to your requests and help with individual tasks. AI agents can act autonomously, executing multi-step workflows without waiting for each instruction. Clawly combines both approaches—responding to requests while also acting proactively on your behalf.
Can you use Clawly and OpenClaw together in your workflow?
You could run both, though most freelancers find a single integrated assistant simpler to manage. Clawly covers the tasks OpenClaw handles while adding native integrations that reduce setup friction.
Which AI assistant is best for small business owners who need help with admin?
For small business owners focused on client work, an AI assistant with built-in tool integrations reduces setup time and handles recurring admin automatically. Clawly fits that profile well.
Does Clawly work on mobile devices through Telegram?
Yes. Because Clawly runs through Telegram, you can delegate tasks from your phone anywhere, anytime.
Can an AI assistant complete tasks while you sleep or travel?
Clawly works around the clock across every timezone, handling follow-ups, reminders, and updates even when you're offline.
