Last updated: February 2026 · Reading time: 12 min
Every OpenClaw deployment needs a server. Whether you're running a personal AI assistant or a multi-agent system, choosing the right VPS can mean the difference between a smooth experience and constant headaches.
We've tested the most popular VPS providers with OpenClaw and ranked them based on price, performance, ease of setup, and reliability. Here's what we found.
📋 Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table
| Provider | Starting Price | RAM | Setup Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hostinger | $4.99/mo | 4GB | ⭐ Easy (Docker template) | Most users |
| DigitalOcean | $6/mo | 1GB | ⭐⭐ Medium | Developers |
| Vultr | $6/mo | 1GB | ⭐⭐ Medium | Performance |
| Hetzner | €3.79/mo | 2GB | ⭐⭐ Medium | Budget EU |
| Oracle Cloud | $0 (free tier) | 24GB ARM | ⭐⭐⭐ Hard | Free option |
OpenClaw Server Requirements
Before choosing a VPS, here's what OpenClaw actually needs:
- Minimum: 1 vCPU, 1GB RAM, 10GB storage (basic agent, one channel)
- Recommended: 2 vCPU, 2-4GB RAM, 20GB storage (multiple channels, skills, browser)
- Heavy use: 4 vCPU, 8GB RAM, 40GB storage (multi-agent, local models, heavy automation)
- OS: Ubuntu 22.04+ or Debian 12+ recommended
- Node.js: v22+ (installer handles this)
🏆 Hostinger — Best Overall
Hostinger VPS
Hostinger offers the easiest OpenClaw setup experience with their pre-configured Docker template. One click and you're running.
Pricing:
- KVM 1: $4.99/mo — 1 vCPU, 4GB RAM, 50GB NVMe
- KVM 2: $6.99/mo — 2 vCPU, 8GB RAM, 100GB NVMe
- KVM 4: $10.99/mo — 4 vCPU, 16GB RAM, 200GB NVMe
Pros:
- ✅ One-click OpenClaw Docker template
- ✅ Generous RAM (4GB on cheapest plan)
- ✅ NVMe storage (fast)
- ✅ 24/7 support
- ✅ Global data centers
Cons:
- ❌ Slightly more expensive than bare-minimum options
- ❌ No hourly billing (monthly commitment)
Setup time: ~10 minutes with Docker template
Get Hostinger VPS →DigitalOcean — Best for Developers
DigitalOcean Droplets
DigitalOcean is the developer favorite. Clean UI, excellent documentation, and hourly billing so you only pay for what you use.
Pricing:
- Basic: $6/mo — 1 vCPU, 1GB RAM, 25GB SSD
- Regular: $12/mo — 1 vCPU, 2GB RAM, 50GB SSD
- Pro: $24/mo — 2 vCPU, 4GB RAM, 80GB SSD
Pros:
- ✅ Hourly billing (destroy anytime)
- ✅ Excellent documentation
- ✅ Snapshots and backups
- ✅ API for automation
- ✅ $200 free credit for new users
Cons:
- ❌ 1GB RAM on cheapest plan (tight for OpenClaw)
- ❌ No pre-configured OpenClaw template
Setup time: ~20 minutes (manual install)
Get DigitalOcean ($200 free credit) →Vultr — Best Performance/Price
Vultr Cloud Compute
Vultr offers excellent performance at competitive prices, with data centers worldwide including locations in Asia and South America.
Pricing:
- Regular: $6/mo — 1 vCPU, 1GB RAM, 25GB SSD
- High Freq: $12/mo — 1 vCPU, 2GB RAM, 64GB NVMe
- High Freq: $24/mo — 2 vCPU, 4GB RAM, 128GB NVMe
Pros:
- ✅ High-frequency compute (fast CPUs)
- ✅ 32 data center locations
- ✅ Hourly billing
- ✅ $300 free credit for new users
- ✅ Marketplace apps
Cons:
- ❌ UI less polished than DigitalOcean
- ❌ No OpenClaw-specific template
Hetzner — Best Budget Option (EU)
Hetzner Cloud
Hetzner is the budget king for European users. Incredible value, though data centers are limited to EU and US.
Pricing:
- CX22: €3.79/mo — 2 vCPU, 4GB RAM, 40GB SSD
- CX32: €6.49/mo — 4 vCPU, 8GB RAM, 80GB SSD
Pros:
- ✅ Cheapest option with good specs
- ✅ 4GB RAM at €3.79/mo is unbeatable
- ✅ Hourly billing
- ✅ Clean, simple interface
Cons:
- ❌ EU/US data centers only
- ❌ Less hand-holding than Hostinger
Oracle Cloud — Best Free Option
Oracle Cloud Always Free Tier
If you want to run OpenClaw for $0/month, Oracle Cloud's Always Free tier is the way. You get a powerful ARM instance — but signup can be tricky.
Pricing: $0/month (Always Free)
- ARM: 4 OCPU, 24GB RAM, 200GB storage
Pros:
- ✅ Completely free, forever
- ✅ 24GB RAM is massive
- ✅ Can even run local AI models
Cons:
- ❌ Signup often fails (capacity issues)
- ❌ ARM architecture (some compatibility quirks)
- ❌ Oracle may reclaim idle instances
- ❌ Complex setup process
Managed Hosting Alternatives
Don't want to manage a server? These services handle everything for you:
| Service | Price | Setup Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MyClaw.ai | $9-39/mo | 5 min | Cheapest managed option |
| setupopenclaw.com | $24.99/mo | 60 sec | 1-day free trial |
| xCloud | $24/mo | 5 min | 7-day guarantee |
| getopenclaw.ai | $39/mo | 5 min | All-inclusive |
Quick Setup Guide
Once you have your VPS, here's how to install OpenClaw:
Step 1: SSH into your server
ssh root@your-server-ip
Step 2: Run the installer
curl -fsSL https://get.openclaw.ai | bash
Step 3: Follow the setup wizard
The installer will ask for your AI model API key and preferred messaging channel. Have your Claude/OpenAI API key ready.
Step 4: Start the gateway
openclaw gateway start
That's it. Your agent is now running 24/7.
Need Help Setting Up?
Get a professionally configured OpenClaw agent — installed, secured, and ready to use.
Browse Setup Guides →Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to run OpenClaw per month?
VPS: $0-12/month. AI API: $5-30/month depending on usage. Total: $5-42/month for most users.
Can I run OpenClaw on a Raspberry Pi?
Yes, but performance will be limited. A Pi 4 with 4GB+ RAM works for basic use. A Pi 5 is better.
Do I need a dedicated IP?
No. Any VPS comes with a public IP. OpenClaw connects outbound to messaging services — no inbound ports needed (except SSH for management).
Can I run multiple OpenClaw agents on one VPS?
Yes. Each agent uses ~200-500MB RAM. A 4GB VPS can comfortably run 3-5 agents.
Which AI model should I use?
Claude Sonnet 4 is the best balance of quality and cost. Claude Opus 4 for maximum capability. GPT-4o for budget. DeepSeek for cheapest.
Is my data safe on a VPS?
Yes — your data stays on YOUR server. Unlike cloud AI services, nothing is shared with third parties. See our Security Guide for hardening tips.