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OpenClaw VPS: what to buy and what it costs
For OpenClaw, buy a Linux VPS with 2 vCPU and 4 GB RAM, and 8 GB if you use browser tools or build Docker images on the server. OpenClaw's docs give no RAM minimum, so these sizes are our rule of thumb. The cheapest 4 GB plan we track is €3.81/month, 8 GB is €4.40.
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Cheapest plans for OpenClaw
What is OpenClaw?
OpenClaw is an open-source (MIT) AI assistant that runs on your own machine and talks to you through chat apps such as Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, Discord and iMessage. You connect it to a model with your own API key. A VPS keeps it online all day. Source: github.com/openclaw/openclaw and docs.openclaw.ai, read 5 October 2026.
OpenClaw system requirements
| Item | What the docs say |
|---|---|
| Node.js | Node 24.16+ or 26.1+. Node 26 recommended. |
| OS | macOS, Linux or Windows (WSL2 supported). On Linux the daemon installs as a systemd user service. |
| RAM for Docker build | At least 6 GB for a local source image build. Pre-built images avoid this. |
| CPU, disk, runtime RAM | Not stated. |
| Model access | An API key from your model provider. |
Sources: Install, Docker, VPS guide. Checked 5 October 2026.
How much RAM and CPU do you need? (our rule of thumb)
| Size | Good for |
|---|---|
| 2 vCPU / 4 GB | One person, a few chat channels, hosted model through an API. Use the pre-built image or npm install. |
| 4 vCPU / 8 GB | Browser automation, several agents, or building the Docker image on the server (the docs ask for 6 GB+). |
| 8 vCPU / 16 GB+ | Heavy tool use, other services on the same box, long-running sessions with a lot of headroom. |
These are our estimates, not OpenClaw's. We have not benchmarked OpenClaw itself. For real numbers from an always-on agent server we do run, see VPS for Claude Code and AI agents.
4 GB plans for OpenClaw, cheapest first
| Plan | vCPU | Disk | Monthly | Contract | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 OVHcloud3.8TrustpilotVPS-1'From' price on OVH's page; the final price depends on location and commitment chosen when you configure. Unlimited traffic. | 2 | 40 GB | €3.81 | Monthly ('from' price) | See plan |
 Hostinger4.6TrustpilotKVM 1Intro price needs 24 months paid upfront; renews at $11.99/mo. Billed in USD; euro price at the ECB rate of 1.1225 USD per EUR. | 1 | 50 GB | €5.78 | 24 months paid upfront | See plan |
 Netcup3.8TrustpilotVPS 500 G12.5Price needs a 12-month term. Derived from the €8.26 incl.-VAT price shown on the page (19% German VAT). | 2 | 64 GB | €6.94 | 12-month term | See plan |
 Scaleway1.5TrustpilotPLAY2-NANOHourly billing, no contract. Storage is billed separately (block storage), so add a few euros a month for the disk. | 2 | 0 GB | €20.10 | Hourly, cancel anytime | See plan |
| 2 | 80 GB | €21.38 | Monthly, billed hourly | See plan | |
 DigitalOcean4.6TrustpilotBasic Droplet 4 GBNo contract. Billed in USD ($24.00/month); euro price at the ECB rate. | 2 | 80 GB | €21.38 | Monthly, billed per second | See plan |
8 GB plans for OpenClaw, cheapest first
| Plan | vCPU | Disk | Monthly | Contract | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Contabo4.6TrustpilotCloud VPS 4Promo price for the first 24 months; the page doesn't show the price after that, so check before buying. CPU is often reported as oversold. | 4 | 100 GB | €4.40 | Promo for first 24 months | See plan |
| Contabo4.6TrustpilotCloud VPS 6Price rises to €9.00 after 24 months. CPU is often reported as oversold. | 6 | 200 GB | €6.00 | Promo for first 24 months | See plan |
| OVHcloud3.8TrustpilotVPS-2'From' price on OVH's page; the final price depends on location and commitment chosen when you configure. Unlimited traffic. | 4 | 75 GB | €7.21 | Monthly ('from' price) | See plan |
| Hostinger4.6TrustpilotKVM 2Intro price needs 24 months paid upfront; renews at $14.99/mo. Billed in USD; euro price converted at the ECB rate of 1.1225 USD per EUR on 2 October 2026. | 2 | 100 GB | €8.01 | 24 months paid upfront | See plan |
| OVHcloud3.8TrustpilotVPS-3'From' price on OVH's page; the final price depends on location and commitment chosen when you configure. Unlimited traffic. | 6 | 100 GB | €10.40 | Monthly ('from' price) | See plan |
| Netcup3.8TrustpilotVPS 1000 G12.5Promo price needs a 12-month term. Derived from the incl.-VAT price shown on the page. | 4 | 128 GB | €12.18 | 12-month term | See plan |
 Vultr1.6TrustpilotVX1 8 GBFull-month price from Vultr's own API ($43.80); billed hourly, no contract. Billed in USD; euro price at the ECB rate of 1.1225 USD per EUR. | 2 | 160 GB | €39.02 | Monthly, billed hourly | See plan |
| Scaleway1.5TrustpilotPLAY2-MICROHourly billing, no contract. Storage is billed separately (block storage), so add a few euros a month for the disk. | 4 | 0 GB | €40.20 | Hourly, cancel anytime | See plan |
| Scaleway1.5TrustpilotPRO2-XXSHourly billing, no contract. Storage is billed separately (block storage), so add a few euros a month for the disk. | 2 | 0 GB | €40.95 | Hourly, cancel anytime | See plan |
| DigitalOcean4.6TrustpilotBasic Droplet 8 GBNo commitment, but about 4x Contabo per GB. $48/mo. Billed in USD; euro price converted at the ECB rate of 1.1225 USD per EUR on 2 October 2026. | 4 | 160 GB | €42.76 | Monthly, billed hourly | See plan |
| 4 | 160 GB | €42.76 | Monthly, billed hourly | See plan |
In-stock plans only. Monthly prices excluding VAT, as shown to a visitor from Turkey (0% VAT). EU buyers pay local VAT on top. Hetzner prices rose in 2026: see Hetzner Cloud pricing and Hetzner alternatives.
How do you set up OpenClaw on a VPS?
- Create the VPS with Ubuntu LTS or Debian. Add your SSH key and turn off password login.
- Install Node 24.16+ or 26.1+, or use Docker. OpenClaw's installer:
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash. Read a script before you pipe it to bash. The npm route isnpm install -g openclaw@latest --allow-scripts=openclaw. - Run
openclaw onboard --install-daemonto set it up as a systemd user service so it survives reboots. - Add your model API key and connect one chat channel.
- Reach the dashboard through an SSH tunnel or Tailscale Serve. The Docker Control UI listens on port 18789 on 127.0.0.1.
- Run
openclaw security audit.
Commands copied from the OpenClaw docs on 5 October 2026. Follow the docs for your version; they change fast.
Is it safe to run OpenClaw on a VPS?
An AI agent can run commands and read files, so treat the server as exposed. What OpenClaw's docs say, plus basic server care:
- Keep the Gateway on loopback. The docs: on a regular host install it binds to loopback. Use an SSH tunnel or Tailscale Serve, not a public port.
- Lock down who can message it. Most channels reply to unknown senders with a pairing code. Use pairing or an allowlist, not open.
- Do not share a trust boundary. The docs say OpenClaw is not a hostile multi-tenant security boundary. One server, one trusted user.
- Use a separate account. Do not sign the agent into personal Apple, Google or password-manager profiles.
- Basic server care (ours, not the docs). SSH keys only, a firewall that allows only SSH, automatic security updates, a non-root user, and a spend limit on your model API key.
Free OpenClaw hosting?
The OpenClaw VPS guide lists Oracle Cloud's Always Free Arm tier as an option. It gives 2 OCPUs and 12 GB of RAM, but with catches. Read what Oracle's free tier includes and where it falls short before you plan on it.
Questions people ask
What VPS do I need for OpenClaw?
OpenClaw's docs give no RAM or CPU minimum for a VPS. Our rule of thumb: 2 vCPU and 4 GB RAM for a personal gateway with chat channels, and 8 GB if you use browser automation or build Docker images on the server. On 5 October 2026 the cheapest 4 GB plan we track was OVHcloud VPS-1 at €3.81/month.
What are the official OpenClaw system requirements?
From the OpenClaw docs (checked 5 October 2026): Node 24.16+ or 26.1+ (Node 26 recommended) on macOS, Linux or Windows (WSL2 supported). A local Docker build from source needs at least 6 GB of RAM; pre-built images avoid that. The docs state no CPU or disk minimum.
Can OpenClaw run on a 1 GB or 2 GB VPS?
The docs do not rule it out and mention tuning for small VMs (OPENCLAW_NO_RESPAWN=1 and Node's compile cache). We have not tested it on that size, and we track no plan below 4 GB, so we cannot give a measured number. Expect less room for browser tools and long sessions.
Is there a free VPS for OpenClaw?
OpenClaw's VPS guide names Oracle Cloud's Always Free Arm tier as an option. It has real limits and catches, listed on our Oracle Cloud free tier page. You also pay for the AI model API you connect, which is usually the bigger cost.
Is it safe to run OpenClaw on a VPS?
Safer than on your laptop if you set it up carefully. OpenClaw's docs say the Gateway binds to loopback on a normal host install, and tell you to reach it by SSH tunnel or Tailscale Serve. Do not open the port to the internet. Run the openclaw security audit command, and keep the agent away from personal accounts.
Do I need a GPU?
No, if you use a hosted model through an API key. The VPS only runs the gateway and tools. Running a local model needs far more RAM and usually a GPU, which is a different server.
OpenClaw VPS or Mac mini?
A VPS is on 24/7, costs a few euros a month, and keeps the agent away from your personal files. A home machine gives you local apps and your own network. For a chat assistant that just needs to be online, a small VPS is enough.