AI Agent Overview · 2026

Will New AI Agents Replace the Lobster (OpenClaw)?

Q: Does Think BIG's pricing include AI model fees?

No. Think BIG's service fee covers installation and setup. Third-party AI model usage fees are calculated based on your actual usage and paid directly to the model provider.

Think BIG Editorial

Grok, Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini and others are launching fast. This guide covers what AI Agents are available in 2026, how each charges for usage, what to do when quotas run out, and where OpenClaw fits for long-running tasks.

Last updated: 2026-10-02 | Data verified: 2026-09-30

New AI Agents will not make OpenClaw (the Lobster) obsolete — they are designed for different purposes. Each one is excellent. But for long-running tasks where cost control matters, brand AI Agents are not the first choice, though they are great for collaboration.

Brand AI Agents tie costs to subscription quotas. They suit collaboration tasks within brand ecosystems (Gmail, Teams, WhatsApp).
Open-source AI Agents (like OpenClaw, Hermes) let you choose your own model and pay per actual usage — suitable for 24/7 operations with predictable costs.
The two types work well together: run OpenClaw for long-running routine tasks; use brand AI Agents for collaboration or ecosystem-specific work.

Key Takeaway

Each one is excellent. But for long-running tasks where cost control matters, brand AI Agents are not the first choice — though they are great for collaboration.

Common AI Agents in 2026

Data verified: 2026-09-30. Prices are from official brand websites. All prices shown in original currency; no self-calculated conversions. Labels: [Official] from brand website or blog; [Third-party] media only; [To verify] not disclosed by vendor.

Two Main Types

Brand AI Agents — subscription-based, fixed monthly fee with usage quota. Examples: Claude, ChatGPT Agent, Gemini Spark, Grok Bot, Muse, Copilot Autopilot, Manus.
Open-source AI Agents — software is free; model usage fees paid directly to your chosen model provider, or use a local model for zero model fees. Examples: OpenClaw (Lobster), Hermes Agent.

Claude (Anthropic)

What it is: Anthropic's AI assistant, integrated background task completion (reports, research) since September 2026. [Official]
How to use: Web, desktop app, mobile, Claude Code; all share one usage limit. [Official]
Pricing: Free (limited); Pro and Max plans available — see claude.com/pricing. Usage limits reset on 5-hour and weekly cycles; paid plans can purchase usage credits. [Official]
Available in Taiwan: Yes. [Official]
Source: claude.com/pricing, verified 2026-09-30.

ChatGPT Agent and dots (OpenAI)

What it is: ChatGPT Agent uses a virtual browser to complete multi-step tasks; dots (launched 2026-09-29) is a 24/7 AI Agent with its own cloud computer, connected to 4,000+ apps. [Official]
How to use: Select "agent" in ChatGPT tools or type /agent; dots is accessible via ChatGPT, Slack, and Teams. [Official]
Pricing: Plus and Pro plans available — see openai.com/chatgpt/pricing. ChatGPT Agent and Codex share the same agentic quota; dots is included in Pro and Business Premium. [Official]
Available in Taiwan: ChatGPT Agent yes; dots availability [To verify]. [Official]
Source: ChatGPT agent help, dots launch, verified 2026-09-30.

Gemini Spark (Google)

What it is: Google's 24/7 personal AI Agent that works in the background even when your device is off, connected to Gmail, Calendar, and Drive. [Official]
How to use: Requires Google AI Pro or Ultra subscription; must be 18+ with a personal Google account. [Official]
Pricing: AI Pro and AI Ultra plans available — see gemini.google/subscriptions. Usage calculated by computation, recovering every 5 hours up to a weekly cap. [Official]
Available in Taiwan: Not on the exclusion list; actual availability [To verify].
Source: gemini.google/subscriptions, verified 2026-09-30.

Grok Bot (xAI)

What it is: xAI's persistent AI teammate (launched August 2026) with its own cloud computer, browser and terminal; multiple can run simultaneously. [Official]
How to use: Available on macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android. [Official]
Pricing: SuperGrok and SuperGrok Plus plans — both include Grok Bot. All Grok products share one weekly usage pool; heavy video or long tasks consume more quota. Extra Usage Credits available (web only, 1-year validity) — see x.ai/pricing. [Official]
Available in Taiwan: No official country list published [To verify]. [Official]
Source: x.ai/pricing, verified 2026-09-30.

Muse (Meta)

What it is: Meta's personal AI Agent (launched 2026-09-08) running in a dedicated virtual machine; can browse, fill forms, send emails, and make bookings. Confirms before sending or paying. [Official]
How to use: iOS, Android app and muse.ai. Currently limited to the US; Canada opened 2026-09-18. [Official]
Pricing: Free (limited); Power (5B Muse tokens/week) and Maximum (30B Muse tokens/week) plans available — see meta.com/ai/muse. [Official]
Available in Taiwan: Not currently available. [Official]
Source: Meta Newsroom, verified 2026-09-30.

OpenClaw — the Lobster (Open-source)

What it is: OpenClaw is an open-source personal AI assistant, often called "the Lobster" in Taiwan. Installed on your own computer; accessed via WhatsApp, Telegram or other chat apps. Supports both local and cloud models. [Official]
How to use: Runs on Windows and macOS. Can be used standalone or paired with Hermes for a dual-agent setup.
Pricing: Software is free. Model costs depend on your chosen provider and actual usage. [Official]
Available in Taiwan: Yes (self-install). [Official]
Source: OpenClaw official documentation, verified 2026-09-30. → Installation guide (中)

Two Approaches: How They Differ

The following compares approach types only — no rankings, no scores.

Dimension	Brand AI Agents	Open-source AI Agents (e.g. OpenClaw, Hermes)
Pricing	Fixed monthly fee with usage quota included	Pay per actual usage to your chosen model provider; software is free
When quota runs out	Wait for reset, upgrade, or purchase credits	No quota concept; costs scale with usage; budget-driven control
24/7 operation	Varies by plan; some continue when your device is off	Requires your computer to stay on (local install); or use cloud model API remotely
Model flexibility	Usually locked to the brand's own model	Choose any model: subscription plan, API, or local model
Data location	Subject to brand's privacy policy; typically in brand cloud	Local install — data stays on your computer; messages still sent to model provider when using cloud models
Best for	Brand ecosystem collaboration (Gmail, Teams, WhatsApp); short high-intensity tasks	Long-running 24/7 routines; scheduled tasks; cost-controlled operations

Each one is excellent. But for long-running tasks where cost control matters, brand AI Agents are not the first choice — though they are great for collaboration.

What To Do When Your Quota Runs Out

Claude (Anthropic): 5-hour segment limit plus weekly cap; paid plans can purchase usage credits. (Source: official, verified 2026-09-30)
ChatGPT Agent (OpenAI): Monthly limit per plan; credits available for purchase. (Source: official, verified 2026-09-30)
Grok Bot (xAI): Weekly pool resets; Extra Usage Credits available for purchase (web only). (Source: official, verified 2026-09-30)
Gemini Spark (Google): Computation-based, recovers every 5 hours up to weekly cap; Pro/Ultra can purchase AI credits. (Source: official, verified 2026-09-30)
Muse (Meta): Upgrade or wait for free quota to recover. Power: 5B tokens/week; Maximum: 30B tokens/week. (Source: official, verified 2026-09-30)

General approach: route long-running background work to an open-source AI Agent (like OpenClaw, Hermes) — use brand AI Agents for collaboration tasks when needed. → OpenClaw + coding agent collaboration

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will new AI Agents replace OpenClaw (the Lobster)?

The two serve different purposes and work well together. Common brand AI Agents in 2026 include Grok Bot (xAI), Claude (Anthropic), ChatGPT Agent and dots (OpenAI), Gemini Spark (Google), Muse (Meta), Copilot Autopilot (Microsoft), and Manus. Each one is excellent, but for long-running tasks where cost control matters, brand AI Agents are not the first choice — though they are great for collaboration. OpenClaw and Hermes, as open-source AI Agents, let you choose your own model, pay per actual usage, and run 24/7.

Q: What AI Agents are available in 2026?

Two main types: (1) Brand AI Agents — subscription-based with usage quotas, such as Claude, ChatGPT Agent, Gemini Spark, Grok Bot, Muse, Copilot Autopilot, Manus. (2) Open-source AI Agents — software is free, you pay per model usage, such as OpenClaw (Lobster) and Hermes Agent.

Q: What should I do when my AI subscription quota runs out?

Common options: wait for quota reset, upgrade your plan, purchase additional credits, or route long-running background work to an open-source AI Agent (like OpenClaw) that charges per actual usage.

Q: Can brand AI Agents and OpenClaw be used together?

Yes. A common setup: OpenClaw handles 24/7 routine tasks; brand AI Agents handle collaboration tasks or ecosystem-specific work. → OpenClaw + coding agent / Dual AI Agent plan

Q: Does Think BIG's pricing include AI model fees?

No. Think BIG's service fee covers installation and setup only. Third-party AI model usage fees are calculated based on your actual usage and paid directly to the model provider. See FAQ.

Sources and Update History

All data in this page is from official brand websites as of 2026-09-30. Numbers without official sources are not included.

Claude: claude.com/pricing
ChatGPT Agent: OpenAI Help Center
dots: openai.com/index/introducing-dots
Gemini Spark: gemini.google/overview/agent
Grok Bot: x.ai/news/introducing-grok-bot
Muse: Meta Newsroom

Data verified: 2026-09-30. Prices subject to change. Update history: 2026-10-02 initial publication.