OpenClaw guide
Contexto vs Supermemory: Which OpenClaw Memory Plugin Should You Use?
Contexto and Supermemory are both OpenClaw memory plugins that eliminate the cold start problem. Both auto-capture and auto-recall. They differ in scope: Contexto does one thing — persistent conversation memory with minimal setup. Supermemory is a broader context engineering platform that includes memory as one feature among several.
TL;DR
- Contexto: one-command install, local storage, flat $20/month — focused on eliminating cold starts simply.
- Supermemory: published benchmarks, user profiling, hooks architecture — but cloud-only and requires a gateway restart.
- Choose Contexto for simplicity and privacy. Choose Supermemory for benchmarks and advanced profiling.
Contexto and Supermemory are both OpenClaw memory plugins that eliminate the cold start problem. Both auto-capture and auto-recall. They differ in scope: Contexto does one thing — persistent conversation memory with minimal setup. Supermemory is a broader context engineering platform that includes memory as one feature among several.
How Does Installation Compare?
Contexto
openclaw plugins install @ekai/contexto
# Enter API key. Done.One command. No restart. No gateway reconfiguration.
Supermemory
openclaw plugins install @supermemory/openclaw-supermemoryThen enter your API key. Then restart the OpenClaw gateway so hooks register.
The restart requirement is the key friction point. In OpenClaw, restarting the gateway can disrupt active sessions and connected Telegram bots. For users running agents in production, even a brief restart is a meaningful cost.
Where Does Supermemory Genuinely Win?
Published benchmarks. Supermemory is the only OpenClaw memory plugin with public accuracy data. Their MemoryBench results claim ~30 points higher accuracy than default OpenClaw memory. Neither Contexto nor Mem0 has published comparable numbers. If you make decisions based on benchmark data, Supermemory is currently the only option that provides it.
User profiling. Supermemory doesn't just recall conversations — it builds a profile of the user over time. Preferences, behavioral patterns, and communication style are tracked and used to improve responses. This goes beyond "what did we discuss" into "how does this user think."
Hooks architecture. Supermemory hooks into OpenClaw's event lifecycle (before_prompt_build, agent_end), giving fine-grained control over when memory operations fire. This architecture is technically elegant and allows more nuanced memory management than a simpler auto-recall/auto-capture approach.
Active founder content. The Supermemory founder posts regularly on YouTube, Twitter, and LinkedIn. The "OpenClaw's Memory Sucks" video is one of the most-watched OpenClaw plugin videos. This builds trust through transparency.
Where Does Contexto Win?
Simpler install. One command, no restart, no gateway reconfiguration. For users who just want memory to work, the difference is meaningful.
Local storage. Contexto stores everything in SQLite on your machine. Supermemory is cloud-hosted — your memories live on Supermemory's servers. If privacy matters to your workflow, local storage is a hard differentiator.
Flat pricing. $20/month for all features. Supermemory's OpenClaw plugin currently maps to the $19/month Pro plan, but it sits inside a broader platform with additional tiers.
Simplicity of scope. Contexto does one thing: persistent conversation memory. Supermemory is a broader platform with user profiling, custom containers, RAG pipelines, and connectors. If you want a focused memory plugin, Contexto is less complex. If you want a context engineering platform, Supermemory does more.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Contexto | Supermemory |
|---|---|---|
| Install | 1 command, no restart | 2 commands + gateway restart |
| Pricing | $20/mo flat | $19/mo Pro plan |
| Storage | Local SQLite | Cloud (Supermemory servers) |
| Auto-recall | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-capture | Yes | Yes |
| User profiling | No | Yes |
| Custom memory containers | No | Yes |
| Published benchmarks | Not yet | Yes (MemoryBench) |
| Self-hosted option | Default (local) | No |
| Per-channel separation | Not supported | |
| Hooks architecture | Yes (lifecycle events) | |
| Data privacy | Local-only | Cloud |
| Open source | Apache 2.0 |
What About Supermemory's Weaknesses?
Being honest about both sides:
Cloud-only. There's no self-hosted or local option for Supermemory. Your memories live on their infrastructure. For developers building on sensitive projects, this is a real concern.
Gateway restart. The installation requires restarting the OpenClaw gateway, which can disrupt active Telegram sessions and connected services.
Per-channel separation. Supermemory doesn't currently support separating memories by channel — work context and personal context are pooled.
Pricing opacity. Supermemory's pricing across products isn't consistently documented. It's hard to know exactly what you'll pay for the OpenClaw plugin specifically.
Choose Contexto If / Choose Supermemory If
Choose Contexto if:
- You want the simplest possible install — one command, no restart
- Data privacy matters and you want local-only storage
- You want flat, transparent pricing
- You need persistent memory and nothing more — no profiling, no containers, no platform features
- You're a solo builder who values simplicity over feature breadth
Choose Supermemory if:
- Published benchmark data matters to your decision
- You want user profiling and behavioral analysis
- You're building complex workflows that benefit from hooks-based memory control
- You're comfortable with cloud storage
- You want the broader context engineering platform, not just conversation recall
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Supermemory really have better accuracy than other plugins?
Supermemory has published MemoryBench results claiming ~30 points higher accuracy than default OpenClaw memory. These benchmarks are self-published using their own framework. No independent third party has verified the results, and neither Contexto nor Mem0 has published competing benchmarks.
Can I switch from Supermemory to Contexto?
Yes. Uninstall the Supermemory plugin, install Contexto with one command, and start fresh. Memory data from Supermemory can't be directly imported into Contexto since they use different storage formats.
Is Supermemory more powerful than Contexto?
Supermemory offers more features: user profiling, custom containers, hooks architecture, and benchmarks. If "powerful" means "more features," yes. If "powerful" means "solves the cold start problem effectively," both do this equally. The question is whether you need the additional features.
Why doesn't Contexto have published benchmarks?
Contexto hasn't published benchmark results yet. This is a gap. When benchmarks become available, they'll be added to the docs page.
Is Supermemory free for OpenClaw?
Supermemory has a free tier, but it's limited. Contexto offers a free first month with full features.
Which plugin is better for Telegram-based OpenClaw agents?
Contexto installs without a gateway restart, which means no disruption to active Telegram sessions. Supermemory requires a restart that temporarily disconnects Telegram. For Telegram-first setups, Contexto's install process is less disruptive. See How to Give Your OpenClaw Telegram Bot Persistent Memory.
Built by [Ekai Labs](https://ekailabs.xyz). Questions: [Discord](https://discord.com/invite/5VsUUEfbJk) · om@ekailabs.xyz · [getcontexto.com](https://getcontexto.com)
Install Contexto: openclaw plugins install @ekai/contexto
Related: [Contexto Docs](/docs) · [OpenClaw Memory Plugins Compared](/blog/openclaw-memory-plugins-compared) · [Contexto vs Mem0](/blog/contexto-vs-mem0)