Comparison

LM Mini vs OpenClaw

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

LM Mini

Chat with your locally hosted language models directly from your iPhone. This companion app connects to your LM Studio server, offering features like conversation management, context visualization, and privacy-first data handling. It also supports image generation through Automatic1111 integration.

Highlights
  • Connect to LM Studio server
  • Chat with local language models
  • Manage multiple conversations
  • Track context usage
  • Dark mode support
  • Image generation integration
Features
Read full description

Chat with LM Studio, Ollama, and oMLX from your iPhone — or run on-device models offline. Private local AI on hardware you control. No cloud chat subscription required. THREE WAYS TO USE IT 1. On-device — download a model and chat with no internet 2. Connected — LM Studio, Ollama, Jan AI, or oMLX over Wi‑Fi or USB 3. Remote — LM Mini Connect from anywhere, encrypted with your key One app for phone-side models and your desktop local setup. WHAT TO EXPECT Phone models are not the same as huge hosted models in a data center. They are smaller, and that is expected. Performance will vary by hardware. What you gain is control: offline use, private chats on your device or your home machine, and freedom to run the open models you choose. BUILT FOR - People already running LM Studio, Ollama, oMLX or Jan AI who want that stack in their pocket - People who want on-device chat when they are offline or away from Wi-Fi - People who care about keeping conversations off third-party chat servers - Researchers, builders, and privacy-minded users experimenting with local AI INSIDE THE APP - Download and run on-device models on your phone - Connect to LM Studio, Ollama, Jan AI and oMLX - Remote access through LM Mini Connect with your encryption key - Manage and download models on LM Studio from your phone - Local conversation history, folders, and context usage tracking - Personas, plus group chat with up to 5 models in one conversation - Voice chat with Kokoro - Image generation with ComfyUI and Automatic1111 - Web search through SearXNG - Memory so your AI can remember details about you - On-device semantic search across your chats - Background generation, so you don't have to sit and stare at the screen - Themes, backgrounds, and avatars - Import chats from LM Studio - Optional encrypted cloud backups - Custom servers with custom headers - Optional APIs when you want them: OpenAI, OpenRouter, Mistral, DeepSeek, Google Gemini, and more - MCP tool calling - In-app support and feature requests - Dark mode and a chat UI meant for daily use PRIVACY For local use, chats stay on your phone, or between your phone and your own computer. We don't need your conversations to make that core local path work. If you choose optional cloud APIs, those requests go to the provider you pick. SETUP On-device: a compatible phone with enough free storage and memory for the model you pick. Connected mode: LM Studio, Ollama, or oMLX on your computer, plus local network or USB access, or LM Mini Connect for remote use. Install LM Mini and keep your local AI with you. Download LM Mini today and start chatting with your local AI models privately and securely! This app uses Apple Standard EULA license and its available at https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

OpenClaw

This personal AI assistant runs locally on your devices. Pair it with your OpenClaw Gateway to chat, use voice commands, manage approvals, and automate tasks using your iPhone's capabilities securely.

Highlights
  • Local-first AI assistant
  • Secure device pairing
  • Chat and voice modes
  • Gateway action approvals
  • Direct content sharing
  • Device capability management
  • Push notifications for workflows
Features
Read full description

OpenClaw is a personal AI assistant you run on your own devices. Pair this iOS app with your OpenClaw Gateway to use your iPhone as a secure node for chat, voice, approvals, sharing, and device-aware automation. What you can do: - Pair with your private OpenClaw Gateway by QR code or setup code - Chat with your assistant from iPhone - Use realtime and background Talk mode - Review Gateway action approvals from your iPhone - Share text, links, and media directly from iOS into OpenClaw - Enable device capabilities such as camera, screen, location, photos, contacts, calendar, and reminders when you choose - Receive push wakes and node status updates for connected workflows OpenClaw is local-first: you control your gateway, keys, configuration, and permissions. Device access is managed by iOS permissions and can be enabled only for the capabilities you want to use. Getting started: 1) Set up your OpenClaw Gateway 2) Open the iOS app and pair with your gateway 3) Start using chat, Talk mode, approvals, and automations from your iPhone

Screenshots

LM Mini4 screens
OpenClaw4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: LM Mini at 4.5 against OpenClaw's 3.2. LM Mini also leads on review sentiment (67% vs 39%) and update cadence (every 3 days vs weekly). OpenClaw's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. LM Mini sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. OpenClaw asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

LM Mini holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 141 and 50 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of LM Mini's written reviews are positive against 39% of OpenClaw's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

LM Mini ships an update every 3 days, OpenClaw weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
LM Mini versus OpenClaw: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLM MiniOpenClaw
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (141 ratings) — better3.2 (50 ratings)
Positive reviews67.4% of reviews — better39.3% of reviews
Number of ratings141 — better50
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size174 MB108 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSultan HaiderOpenClaw Foundation

Customer experience

LM Mini

All ratings141 ratings
Positive87.2%
Neutral3.5%
Negative9.2%
Written reviews46 reviews
Positive67.4%
Neutral8.7%
Negative23.9%

OpenClaw

All ratings50 ratings
Positive48.0%
Neutral14.0%
Negative38.0%
Written reviews56 reviews
Positive39.3%
Neutral21.4%
Negative39.3%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

LM Mini

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$4.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$119.99
None

OpenClaw

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is LM Mini free?
LM Mini is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is OpenClaw free?
OpenClaw is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, LM Mini or OpenClaw?
LM Mini is rated higher. LM Mini averages 4.5 out of 5 from 141 ratings, while OpenClaw averages 3.2 from 50 ratings.
Do LM Mini or OpenClaw have ads?
Neither LM Mini nor OpenClaw shows ads.
Which is updated more often, LM Mini or OpenClaw?
LM Mini ships an update every 3 days, and OpenClaw weekly. Most recently, LM Mini was updated on September 24, 2026 and OpenClaw on September 20, 2026.

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