Two local AI agents for your Mac. One is built for developers. The other is built for everyone.
Nova and OpenClaw share the same vision — local AI that controls your Mac. The difference: Nova ships with 50+ ready-to-use automations (iMessage, Spotify, Calendar), an ambient screen observer, an automation marketplace, and remote access from any browser. OpenClaw is more developer-focused with better code execution. For non-technical users, Nova is the clear winner.
| Feature | Nova | OpenClaw |
|---|---|---|
| Native Mac app | ||
| iMessage read/send/auto-reply | ||
| Spotify control | ||
| 50+ built-in automations | ||
| Ambient screen observer | ||
| Automation marketplace | ||
| Remote access from browser | ||
| Computer vision | ||
| Mouse/keyboard control | ||
| Proactive alerts | ||
| Voice input | ||
| Multi-model switching | ||
| Runs 100% locally | ||
| Code execution sandbox | ||
| Free tier |
Free download. No signup required. Runs locally on your Mac.
Download Nova FreemacOS 12+ · Apple Silicon · No cloud required
For non-technical users who want ready-to-use Mac automations, yes. Nova ships with 50+ automations, iMessage control, Spotify integration, and a marketplace — all without writing code. OpenClaw is better for developers who want deeper code execution.
Yes! They don't conflict. You could use Nova for daily automations (messages, calendar, music) and OpenClaw for development tasks. Both run local AI models.
Yes. Nova uses a local AI engine with multiple model tiers: a lightweight model for quick tasks (auto-reply, observer) and an advanced model for complex reasoning.
Nova is free for local use — all 50+ automations, iMessage, Spotify, screen control, and the community. Nova Pro ($9.99/mo) adds cloud AI access and remote browser access.