MaxClaw vs KimiClaw: Cloud AI Agent Comparison
MaxClaw by MiniMax and KimiClaw by Moonshot AI are both cloud-hosted AI agents that launched in February 2026. MaxClaw is powered by the MiniMax M2.5 model and prioritizes zero-friction deployment across messaging platforms, while KimiClaw runs on Kimi K2.5 inside kimi.com with deep integration into its ClawHub skills library. This page compares every major dimension so you can pick the right agent for your workflow.
Head to Head
MaxClaw and KimiClaw Side by Side
| Feature | MaxClaw | KimiClaw |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | MiniMax | Moonshot AI |
| Model | MiniMax M2.5 (229B MoE, ~10B active) | Kimi K2.5 (1T parameter MoE) |
| Launch Date | February 26, 2026 | February 15, 2026 |
| Cloud Storage | MiniMax Cloud | 40 GB |
| Skills Ecosystem | MiniMax Expert ecosystem | 5,000+ ClawHub skills |
| Channels | Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, Discord | Browser + Telegram |
| Unique Feature | Expert 2.0 natural-language config | BYOC, Pro-Grade Search |
| Cost | MiniMax subscription (no extra API fees) | Allegretto plan and above |
| Source | Closed source | Closed source |
Competitor Profile
What KimiClaw Brings to the Table
KimiClaw is Moonshot AI's managed cloud implementation of the OpenClaw framework, running natively inside kimi.com. It launched on February 15, 2026 -- eleven days before MaxClaw -- and is powered by the Kimi K2.5 model, a 1-trillion-parameter Mixture-of-Experts architecture released in January 2026.
Storage and Data Workflows
KimiClaw provides 40 GB of cloud storage per user, enabling RAG-style workflows on private data. Users can upload documents, datasets, and reference files that the agent indexes and retrieves during conversations. This is a genuine advantage for knowledge-heavy use cases where persistent file access matters.
ClawHub Skills Library
Kimi's ecosystem includes over 5,000 community-contributed ClawHub skills. These pre-built modules cover a wide range of tasks -- from formatting and translation to specialized domain tools -- and can be composed into multi-step workflows without writing code.
BYOC (Bring Your Own Claw)
KimiClaw offers a unique hybrid model: users can connect a local OpenClaw instance to kimi.com, blending local tool execution with cloud-hosted intelligence. This appeals to developers who want granular control over their toolchain while still leveraging Kimi K2.5 for reasoning.
Pro-Grade Search
KimiClaw integrates real-time financial data via Yahoo Finance alongside general web search, positioning it as a strong option for research and market analysis workflows.
Current Limitations
- Requires an Allegretto subscription (paid tier) -- no free access
- Terminal UI not yet available
- File upload from agent to user not yet supported
- Model locked to Kimi K2.5 with no option to swap
- Channel support limited to browser and Telegram
MaxClaw Advantages
Why MaxClaw Stands Out
MaxClaw takes a different approach to cloud AI agents. Rather than anchoring to a browser-based workspace, MaxClaw meets users where they already communicate -- across four major messaging platforms -- with zero deployment friction and no additional API costs.
Expert 2.0: Natural-Language Configuration
MaxClaw's Expert 2.0 system eliminates traditional agent setup entirely. Describe your desired task in plain language and the agent auto-configures its behavior, tools, and response patterns. No YAML files, no skill selection, no parameter tuning -- just state what you need and MaxClaw handles the rest.
True Multi-Platform Presence
MaxClaw operates 24/7 across Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, and Discord. This is the widest channel support among current OpenClaw-based agents, making MaxClaw accessible to teams regardless of their preferred communication tool.
Cost Simplicity
A MiniMax subscription covers all model usage -- there are no separate API fees, no per-token charges beyond the subscription, and no surprise bills. This flat-cost model is especially attractive for teams running agents at high frequency.
Powered by MiniMax M2.5
MaxClaw runs on the MiniMax M2.5 model: 229 billion total parameters with approximately 10 billion active per token, using a Mixture-of-Experts architecture. The sparse activation design keeps inference fast and cost-efficient while maintaining strong reasoning performance across agentic tasks.
Zero Deployment
MaxClaw runs entirely in the cloud. There is no local installation, no Docker configuration, and no server management. Users access MaxClaw from any browser or directly through their connected messaging platforms.
Data Layer
Storage and Memory Compared
How each agent handles persistent data is one of the clearest differentiators between MaxClaw and KimiClaw.
MaxClaw -- MiniMax Cloud
MaxClaw stores conversation history and agent state in MiniMax Cloud. The focus is on long-term conversational memory rather than raw file storage -- the agent remembers context across sessions, learns user preferences, and maintains continuity without manual data management.
KimiClaw -- 40 GB Storage
KimiClaw allocates 40 GB of cloud storage per user, designed for RAG-style retrieval on uploaded documents and datasets. This makes it stronger for document-centric workflows where the agent needs to reference large file collections during reasoning.
If your primary need is an agent that remembers how you work and adapts over time, MaxClaw's conversational memory model is the more natural fit. If you need an agent that can index and search across large document sets, KimiClaw's 40 GB storage gives it a structural edge in that specific use case.
Decision Guide
Which Agent Should You Choose?
Both agents are capable cloud-hosted AI assistants. The right choice depends on your platform preferences, budget model, and workflow requirements.
Choose MaxClaw if you need:
- Multi-platform messaging -- Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, and Discord support out of the box
- Simple pricing -- a single MiniMax subscription with no extra API fees
- Zero-config setup -- Expert 2.0 auto-configures agents from natural-language descriptions
- Always-on availability -- 24/7 agent presence across all connected channels
- Team-wide access -- agent available wherever your team already communicates
Choose KimiClaw if you need:
- Large file storage -- 40 GB cloud storage for document-heavy RAG workflows
- Hybrid execution -- BYOC connects local OpenClaw instances to cloud intelligence
- Financial data access -- Pro-Grade Search with real-time Yahoo Finance integration
- Extensive skill library -- access to 5,000+ pre-built ClawHub skills
- Browser-first workflow -- deep integration within the kimi.com environment