People often ask: "Should I use OpenClaw or Zapier?" The answer is: they solve different problems, and you might want both.
The Core Difference
Zapier/n8n/Make = Workflow Automation "When X happens, do Y." Deterministic, rule-based, no intelligence.
OpenClaw = AI Agent "Figure out what to do and do it." Intelligent, contextual, adaptive.
When to Use Zapier/n8n
Use workflow automation when:
- The trigger and action are always the same
- No judgment or interpretation is needed
- You need 100% reliability and predictability
- The workflow is simple (2-5 steps)
Examples:
- New Stripe payment → send Slack notification
- New form submission → add to spreadsheet → send email
- New GitHub issue → create Trello card
- File uploaded to Dropbox → convert to PDF → email to client
These workflows are deterministic — they do exactly the same thing every time, no thinking required.
When to Use OpenClaw
Use an AI agent when:
- The task requires understanding and judgment
- Responses need to vary based on context
- You need natural language interaction
- The task is too complex for if/then rules
Examples:
- Read email and decide if it's urgent, routine, or ignorable
- Draft a contextually appropriate reply
- Research a topic and summarize findings
- Manage a conversation with a client
- "Check if anything needs my attention" (open-ended)
These tasks require intelligence — the response depends on understanding content, not just matching patterns.
Head-to-Head
| Zapier/n8n | OpenClaw | |
|---|---|---|
| Logic type | If/then rules | AI reasoning |
| Reliability | 99.9% predictable | ~95% accurate |
| Setup | Visual builder | Natural language |
| Flexibility | Fixed workflows | Adaptive responses |
| Cost (typical) | $20-50/mo | $10-20/mo |
| Handles ambiguity | No | Yes |
| Learns from context | No | Yes |
| Complex decisions | No | Yes |
| Simple triggers | Excellent | Overkill |
| Self-hosted option | n8n: yes, Zapier: no | Yes |
Using Them Together
The most powerful setup combines both:
OpenClaw as the Brain + n8n as the Hands
OpenClaw decides what to do. n8n executes the deterministic parts.
Example: Customer Support
- New support email arrives → n8n triggers
- n8n sends email content to OpenClaw
- OpenClaw reads the email, understands the issue, drafts a response
- OpenClaw classifies: urgent vs normal vs spam
- n8n routes based on classification:
- Urgent → Slack alert + email response
- Normal → queue for review
- Spam → archive
Webhook Integration
OpenClaw can call n8n/Zapier webhooks to trigger workflows:
"When I say 'invoice Client X', trigger the invoicing workflow in n8n"
n8n handles the mechanical parts (generate PDF, send email, update spreadsheet), while OpenClaw handles the intelligent parts (determine amount, draft the email text, decide timing).
Migration Path
If you're currently using Zapier for everything:
- Keep simple automations on Zapier (they work fine)
- Move anything requiring interpretation to OpenClaw
- Connect them via webhooks where needed
Don't replace working automations with AI for the sake of it. AI adds value when judgment is required.
Self-Hosted Stack
For the privacy-conscious, the open-source stack:
- n8n (self-hosted) for workflow automation
- OpenClaw (on ClawTank) for AI agent
- Connected via webhooks and API calls
All your data stays under your control. No third-party cloud services processing your information.
The Verdict
Zapier/n8n and OpenClaw aren't competitors — they're complementary. Use workflow automation for predictable, repetitive triggers. Use an AI agent for tasks requiring understanding and judgment. Use both together for maximum automation.
Deploy OpenClaw on ClawTank and connect it to your existing automation stack.