Three Ways to Run OpenClaw
OpenClaw is open source — you can run it anywhere. The real question is how much time you want to spend on infrastructure versus actually using your AI assistant.
Local Install
Great for trying things out. But your agent stops when your laptop sleeps, can't run scheduled tasks overnight, and you're on your own for updates.
Self-host on a VPS
Full control, 24/7 uptime — but you need Linux experience, Docker knowledge, and ongoing time for security patches, SSL certs, and debugging.
Clawdy Managed Hosting
We handle the infrastructure. You get a private OpenClaw instance that's always on, always updated, and accessible from any device — in about 60 seconds.
Side-by-Side Comparison
The full breakdown — so you can decide what works best for you.
| Feature | Local | VPS | Clawdy |
|---|---|---|---|
Setup time | 4-6 hours | 5-6 hours | < 60 seconds |
Technical skill required | Medium (CLI basics) | High (Linux, Docker, networking) | Just an email address |
24/7 uptime | Computer must stay on | If you maintain it | Guaranteed |
Automatic updates | Manual pull + restart | Manual SSH + restart | Handled for you |
Security & patches | On you | On you (OS, firewall, SSL) | Managed for you |
Maintenance effort | Low (but no uptime) | Ongoing (monitoring, backups) | Zero |
SSL & custom subdomain | Manual setup | Certbot / manual renewal | Automatic (slug.clawdy.app) |
Full UI accessKey | Local browser only | SSH tunnel or VPN required | Browser access anywhere |
Multi-model AI access | Bring your own API key | Bring your own API key | 30+ models via AI Credits |
Web terminal | Built-in | ||
Health monitoring | DIY | DIY | Real-time dashboard |
Support | Community forums | Community forums | Priority support |
Who is Clawdy for?
Built for those who value their time.
Developers who want OpenClaw running 24/7 without babysitting a server
Makers who'd rather spend their time building than wrestling with Docker and Nginx configs
People who want to set up OpenClaw for family members or non-technical friends
Teams that need multiple isolated instances without the ops overhead
Skip the setup. Start building.
Your OpenClaw instance is ready in under a minute — always on, always updated, always private. No SSH, no Docker, no headaches.