This study investigates whether chimpanzees and children use emulation or imitation to solve a tool-using task, influenced by their access to causal information. Young wild-born chimpanzees and 3- to 4-year-old children observed a human demonstrator using a tool to retrieve a reward from a puzzle box, which was presented in two conditions: opaque and clear. In the opaque condition, causal information was unavailable, leading chimpanzees to imitate the overall structure of the task. In the clear condition, where causal information was available, chimpanzees preferred a more efficient emulative technique, ignoring irrelevant actions. In contrast, children used imitation in both conditions, despite its inefficiency. The findings suggest that emulation is the preferred strategy for chimpanzees when sufficient causal information is available, while children, possibly due to greater susceptibility to cultural conventions and a focus on outcomes, tend to use imitation. The study highlights the importance of causal understanding in social learning strategies.This study investigates whether chimpanzees and children use emulation or imitation to solve a tool-using task, influenced by their access to causal information. Young wild-born chimpanzees and 3- to 4-year-old children observed a human demonstrator using a tool to retrieve a reward from a puzzle box, which was presented in two conditions: opaque and clear. In the opaque condition, causal information was unavailable, leading chimpanzees to imitate the overall structure of the task. In the clear condition, where causal information was available, chimpanzees preferred a more efficient emulative technique, ignoring irrelevant actions. In contrast, children used imitation in both conditions, despite its inefficiency. The findings suggest that emulation is the preferred strategy for chimpanzees when sufficient causal information is available, while children, possibly due to greater susceptibility to cultural conventions and a focus on outcomes, tend to use imitation. The study highlights the importance of causal understanding in social learning strategies.