01What is Hermes Agent vs OpenClaw?

Hermes Agent vs OpenClaw is a comparison of two AI agents that help you automate tasks and create content. Hermes Agent is an open-source AI agent that became the most popular on OpenRouter, while OpenClaw is a similar tool that has been losing users due to stability issues.

In this episode, Julian Goldie shows live tests and usage data to explain why Hermes is winning. He compares the two side by side and gives his honest opinion.

02Hermes Agent Hits Number One on OpenRouter

Hermes Agent reached the top spot on OpenRouter with 271 billion tokens, overtaking OpenClaw, which had 245 billion. OpenRouter is a platform where hundreds of thousands of people route their AI tools daily, so this is a big deal.

Hermes only launched in February 2026, while OpenClaw has been around since late 2025. Hermes has nearly 1,000 contributors and 140,000 GitHub stars. It is still in beta, not even version 1.0, yet it has already become the most popular AI agent.

  • 271 billion tokens – Hermes usage on OpenRouter.
  • 245 billion tokens – OpenClaw usage.
  • Nearly 1,000 contributors – helped build Hermes.
  • 140,000 GitHub stars – for the Hermes project.

03Why OpenClaw Is Losing Users

Julian shows that OpenClaw's usage dropped from 450 billion tokens earlier in the month to 245 billion now. He points out that OpenClaw releases updates every day, but many of those updates make the tool worse.

He demonstrates live in the terminal: OpenClaw fails with an error, even when configured with GPT-5.5. The update process is confusing, and the interface has issues like not being able to scroll. He also mentions that OpenClaw's integration with Google Meet is not useful when the basic gateway doesn't work.

  • Frequent updates – but the tool breaks more.
  • UI problems – difficult to navigate and understand.
  • Unreliable – even for experienced users.

04How to Set Up Hermes Agent

Setting up Hermes Agent is simple and quick. Julian shows that you just type 'Hermes' in the terminal and it opens and works immediately.

  1. Open your terminal.
  2. Type 'Hermes' and press enter.
  3. Wait a few seconds for it to start.
  4. Use the command '/model' to switch between models.
  5. Start giving it tasks directly.

Switching models is as easy as typing '/model' and choosing from options like GPT-5.5, GPT-5.4, or Codex. There is no need to manually type a local URL like you do with OpenClaw.

05Using Hermes Agent for Real Tasks

Julian uses Hermes Agent for AI SEO and content creation. He shows websites that have grown since he started using Hermes for automation. He explains that you can set up Hermes to create content on X or other social media platforms to attract clients.

One community member, Marcus, says Hermes writes a 2000-word blog post every day with just one prompt. Julian also demonstrates that even when switching APIs, Hermes keeps working without issues.

For a nicer interface, Julian recommends Hermes Workspace, an open-source GUI available on GitHub. It includes features like swarm mode and even a 3D game you can play with your AI agents.

06Results and Comparisons in the Episode

Julian compares the usage trends on OpenRouter. He shows that OpenClaw's usage has been declining since the start of the month, while Hermes has been climbing. He also shows that OpenClaw's update process is confusing and often fails.

He mentions that people who still use OpenClaw successfully are not updating to the latest versions; they stick to older releases like 4.2 or 4.29. In contrast, Hermes works reliably every time, and its releases focus on security and useful features.

He also notes that OpenClaw lost its edge when other tools like Claude started offering similar features. Hermes and News4Research keep adding powerful tools that actually work.

07Tips, Limits, and Mistakes to Avoid

Julian advises against relying on OpenClaw for business automation because it breaks too often. He says you can't run a business on a temperamental tool. If you use OpenClaw, he suggests sticking to older versions to avoid bugs.

For Hermes, he says it's only as powerful as the tools you give it. It's safe if you control what APIs and tools it has access to. He hasn't heard of any security problems with Hermes.

He also warns that Hermes could become buggy someday, just like OpenClaw, but for now it's reliable. Don't add too many features that don't help you; focus on what works.

08Who Should Use Hermes Agent and Why It Matters

Hermes Agent is great for anyone who wants to automate business tasks, create content, or do SEO. Julian uses it for AI SEO, and it has helped his websites grow. It's also good for people who want a reliable tool that just works.

The community around Hermes and News4Research is positive and helpful. They share projects and support each other. Julian believes Hermes will keep growing unless it becomes unstable.

If you're using OpenClaw and tired of it breaking, switching to Hermes might be a good move. It's free, open-source, and easy to use.