Quick Summary
Anthropic
Creator of Claude AI models with advanced reasoning capabilities
- 200K context window
- Image understanding
- Tool/function calling
Ollama
Run open-source LLMs locally with no API costs
- Completely local
- No API costs
- Privacy-focused
Model Comparison
| Aspect | Anthropic | Ollama |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Models | 2 | 3 |
| Default Model | Claude Sonnet 4 | Llama 3.3 |
| Max Context Window | 200K tokens | 128K tokens |
| Image Support | ✓ Yes | — No |
| Tool/Function Calling | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Pricing Model |
Authentication
Anthropic
api_key
Standard API key authentication
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY oauth
OAuth for Claude subscriptions
Ollama
none
No authentication required for local instance
Pros & Cons
Anthropic
Pros
- Excellent at following complex instructions
- Strong reasoning and coding abilities
- Large context window
- Good safety alignment
Cons
- Higher cost than some alternatives
- Rate limits on free tier
- No fine-tuning available
Ollama
Pros
- No API costs
- Full data privacy
- Works offline
- No rate limits
Cons
- Requires capable hardware
- Slower than cloud APIs
- Less capable than frontier models
Best Use Cases
Choose Anthropic if you need:
- Complex coding tasks
- Document analysis
- Creative writing
- Research assistance
Choose Ollama if you need:
- Privacy-sensitive applications
- Offline use
- Cost-conscious deployments
- Development and testing
Use with Messaging Channels
Both providers work with all OpenClaw messaging channels:
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Anthropic or Ollama?
It depends on your use case. Anthropic excels at complex coding tasks, while Ollama is best for privacy-sensitive applications. Consider your specific needs for context length, pricing, and feature requirements.
Can I use both Anthropic and Ollama with OpenClaw?
Yes! OpenClaw supports multiple providers simultaneously. You can configure Anthropic as your primary and Ollama as a fallback, or use different providers for different agents.
Which has better pricing, Anthropic or Ollama?
Anthropic uses undefined pricing, while Ollama uses undefined. The best value depends on your usage volume and whether you need premium features.