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

Telegram

Full-featured Telegram bot with commands and reactions

  • Native bot API support
  • Forum/topics support
  • Inline keyboards
View Full Guide

Capability Comparison

Capability WhatsApp Telegram
Direct Messages ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Group Chats ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Media Messages ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Voice Messages ✓ Yes ✓ Yes
Reactions — No ✓ Yes
Thread Support — No — No
Native Commands — No ✓ Yes
Text Limit 4096 chars 4096 chars
Protocol @whiskeysockets/baileys grammy

Access Control Policies

WhatsApp

DM Policies

  • allowlist
  • pairing
  • open

Group Policies

  • allowlist
  • open

Telegram

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 Telegram for:

  • AI assistant bot
  • Group automation
  • Customer support bot
  • Team productivity

Use with AI Providers

Both channels work with all OpenClaw AI providers:

Frequently Asked Questions

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