Where to Host OpenClaw: All Your Options Explained
Every way to host OpenClaw, from managed platforms to self-hosted VPS to one-click Railway deploys. Find your best option.
OpenClaw is open-source software, which means you are not locked into a single way to run it. You can choose from fully managed platforms, platform-as-a-service providers, bare virtual private servers, or even a machine under your desk. Each approach involves different trade-offs in cost, control, complexity, and maintenance burden.
This guide maps out every hosting option available today, explains the pros and cons of each, and helps you decide which approach matches your situation.
The Four Hosting Approaches
At a high level, there are four ways to host OpenClaw. Everything else is a variation on one of these.
1. Managed Platforms
Managed platforms are companies that run OpenClaw for you as a service. You sign up, configure your preferences, and start using the assistant. The platform handles infrastructure, updates, scaling, and support.
Examples: OCLauncher, Clowdbot, ClawHosters, Clawly, ClawNest, NitroClaw, RunClaw, Clawi.ai
2. Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)
PaaS providers give you a containerized environment where you deploy OpenClaw yourself, but the provider manages the underlying servers, networking, and orchestration. You control the application; they control the infrastructure.
Examples: Railway (via SimpleOpenClaw template), Render, Fly.io, Google Cloud Run
3. VPS Self-Hosting
A virtual private server gives you a Linux machine in the cloud where you install and configure everything from the operating system up. Maximum control, maximum responsibility.
Examples: DigitalOcean Droplets, Linode, Vultr, Hetzner, AWS EC2, GCP Compute Engine
4. Local / Home Server
Running OpenClaw on your own hardware -- a spare laptop, a NUC, a Raspberry Pi (performance permitting), or a home server rack. Zero hosting costs beyond electricity and your internet connection.
Examples: Any machine on your local network running Node.js
Pros and Cons by Approach
Managed Platforms
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Zero infrastructure management | Highest ongoing cost (platform fees + potential API markup) |
| Automatic updates and patches | Less control over configuration and customization |
| Built-in support channels | Vendor lock-in risk |
| Fast onboarding, no technical setup | Data stored on third-party infrastructure |
| Scaling handled automatically | Feature availability depends on your plan tier |
Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Minimal infrastructure management | Some operational responsibility (deploys, config) |
| Pay only for resources consumed | Less hand-holding than managed platforms |
| Full control over application configuration | Platform-specific learning curve |
| No API markup when using your own keys | Limited to platform's supported regions and features |
| One-click deploy templates available | Resource limits on lower pricing tiers |
VPS Self-Hosting
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Complete control over everything | Full operational responsibility |
| Lowest cloud hosting cost at scale | Requires Linux administration skills |
| Choose any region, any provider | Manual security hardening, updates, backups |
| No platform constraints or limits | No built-in support beyond provider's infrastructure SLA |
| Can run additional services on the same server | Setup takes significantly longer |
Local / Home Server
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No hosting costs | Reliability depends on your hardware and internet |
| Complete data sovereignty | Not accessible outside your network without extra work |
| No bandwidth charges | You handle all maintenance, power, and cooling |
| Useful for development and testing | Not suitable for team access or production use |
| Full control over the environment | Security is entirely your responsibility |
What OpenClaw Needs to Run
Before choosing a hosting approach, understand what OpenClaw requires from its environment.
Runtime
OpenClaw runs on Node.js. The current version requires Node.js 18 or later. The application is single-threaded but benefits from adequate memory for handling concurrent AI API responses and workspace operations.
Persistent Storage
OpenClaw stores configuration files, authentication credentials, conversation history, and workspace data on disk. Any hosting environment must provide persistent storage that survives restarts and redeployments. On managed platforms and PaaS, this means attaching a volume. On a VPS or local machine, the local filesystem handles this natively.
Network Port
OpenClaw's gateway listens on a configurable port (default 18789 internally). Your hosting environment needs to expose a port to the internet (or your network) with TLS termination for secure access. Most PaaS and managed platforms handle TLS automatically. On a VPS, you configure a reverse proxy like Nginx or Caddy.
AI Provider API Keys
OpenClaw does not include AI model inference. It connects to external providers (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, etc.) via API. You need at least one valid API key from a supported provider. These keys are configured during the setup process and stored in the instance's configuration file.
Outbound Internet Access
The server must be able to make outbound HTTPS requests to AI provider APIs. Most environments allow this by default, but restrictive corporate firewalls or security groups may require explicit rules.
Decision Guide: Which Approach Is Right for You
Rather than a flowchart, consider these questions and the hosting approach they point toward.
Are you non-technical and want the fastest path to a working assistant? Go with a managed platform. Clawly and RunClaw have the smoothest onboarding experiences. OCLauncher is the most established. You will pay more, but you will spend zero time on infrastructure.
Are you a developer who wants control over configuration and costs? A PaaS deployment strikes the best balance. SimpleOpenClaw on Railway gives you one-click deployment with full control over your instance, your API keys, and your data. You manage the application; Railway manages the servers. Monthly costs are minimal since you only pay for infrastructure and AI API usage with no platform markup.
Are you comfortable with Linux and want maximum control at the lowest price? VPS self-hosting is your territory. Provision a $5-10/month VPS from DigitalOcean, Hetzner, or Vultr. Install Node.js, clone OpenClaw, configure a reverse proxy with Let's Encrypt for TLS, and run it as a systemd service. This requires the most setup effort but gives you unrestricted control and the lowest fixed costs.
Are you evaluating OpenClaw for the first time and want to experiment? Start with a local installation on your own machine. It costs nothing, you can experiment freely, and there is no commitment. When you are ready to make it persistent and accessible, migrate to one of the hosted approaches.
Do you need team access with collaboration features? If role-based access, workspace sharing, and audit logging are requirements, ClawNest is purpose-built for this. Alternatively, deploy on a PaaS or VPS and manage access control at the network or reverse proxy layer if you prefer self-hosting.
Is latency critical to your use case? NitroClaw's edge-optimized infrastructure is designed for low-latency workloads. For self-hosted approaches, choose a VPS region close to your users and your AI provider's API endpoints (most are in the US East or Western Europe).
The PaaS Sweet Spot: SimpleOpenClaw on Railway
For most developers, a PaaS deployment offers the best combination of simplicity and control. SimpleOpenClaw is an open-source Railway template designed specifically for this use case.
The deployment process works as follows:
- Click the "Deploy on Railway" button to launch the template in your Railway account.
- Set a setup password and configure environment variables.
- Railway builds and starts the container automatically.
- Attach a persistent volume at
/datafor durable storage. - Visit the setup wizard at
/setupto configure your AI provider and communication channels.
The entire process takes about five minutes. Once running, Railway handles TLS, networking, container orchestration, and automatic restarts. You bring your own AI API keys, so there is no markup on model usage. The template includes a reverse proxy that manages authentication, a web-based control panel, and a backup export feature.
If you outgrow Railway or want to migrate later, the open-source codebase and standard Docker container mean you are never locked in. Export your configuration, spin up a VPS, and run the same container elsewhere.
Final Thoughts
There is no universally correct answer to "where should I host OpenClaw." The right choice depends on your technical comfort level, your budget, your team size, and how much control you want over your deployment.
Start with the approach that matches your current needs. The beauty of OpenClaw being open-source is that migration between hosting approaches is always possible. You are choosing a starting point, not signing a lifetime contract.