Openclaw Update 3.28: But is it Enough?

Summary

This video covers the OpenClaw 3.28 update, which the host describes as a minor release that mostly refines existing functionality rather than introducing major new features. The update focuses on plugin X integration, ACP bindings, and improved Grok compatibility. Grok stands out here because of its speed — it ranks highly for agentic tasks, making it a practical choice if you prioritize throughput over raw performance. Another focus of this release is Claude Hub, which aims to be a central place for pulling skills and tools, though the host is holding off on using it due to unresolved security concerns. File uploads have also been unified across platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Google Chat. One of the more strategic updates is the continued push toward OpenAI compatibility. Since OpenAI acquired OpenClaw, the team appears to be positioning it as a counter to Claude Code — which is rapidly expanding its capabilities, including file access, Telegram integration, and cron job support. You should be aware that Claude is aggressively moving into agentic territory, and OpenClaw is responding by deepening its OpenAI ecosystem integration. On the model side, GPT 5.4 is becoming the go-to model for OpenClaw users, largely because Claude recently reduced rate limits on its Pro and Max plans. This makes Claude more expensive in practical terms, pushing users toward cheaper alternatives. If you are budget-conscious, OpenClaw remains your best option because it supports a wide range of APIs including Chinese models like Minimax, Kimi, GLM, and Xiaomi Mimo. If cost is not a concern, Claude Code delivers strong performance but locks you into their ecosystem. The host also teases upcoming benchmarks for GLM 5.1 as a potential value contender. For most users, this update is small enough that simply telling your agent to upgrade is sufficient — unless you are using Qwen, in which case a manual update is recommended.