Quick Summary

WhatsApp

Connect AI to WhatsApp via Baileys protocol

  • QR code authentication
  • Multi-file auth state persistence
  • Media handling (images, audio, video, documents)
View Full Guide

Matrix

Decentralized Matrix protocol support

  • Decentralized/federated
  • End-to-end encryption
  • Thread support
View Full Guide

Capability Comparison

Capability WhatsApp Matrix
Direct Messages ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Group Chats ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Media Messages ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Voice Messages ✓ Yes — No
Reactions — No ✓ Yes
Thread Support — No ✓ Yes
Native Commands — No — No
Text Limit 4096 chars 4096 chars
Protocol @whiskeysockets/baileys matrix-bot-sdk

Access Control Policies

WhatsApp

DM Policies

  • allowlist
  • pairing
  • open

Group Policies

  • allowlist
  • open

Matrix

DM Policies

  • allowlist
  • pairing
  • open

Group Policies

  • allowlist
  • open

Best Use Cases

Choose WhatsApp for:

  • Personal AI assistant
  • Family group automation
  • Business customer support
  • Team communication

Choose Matrix for:

  • Privacy-focused teams
  • Open source communities
  • Self-hosted environments

Use with AI Providers

Both channels work with all OpenClaw AI providers:

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for AI assistants, WhatsApp or Matrix?
Both work well with OpenClaw. WhatsApp is better for personal ai assistant, while Matrix excels at privacy-focused teams. Consider your audience and feature requirements.
Can I use both WhatsApp and Matrix with OpenClaw?
Yes! OpenClaw supports multiple channels simultaneously. You can connect the same AI assistant to both WhatsApp and Matrix, allowing users to interact through their preferred platform.
Which has better group chat support?
Both support group chats. WhatsApp uses allowlist, open policies, while Matrix uses allowlist, open.