Thinking about self-hosting? Here's an honest comparison of OpenClaw Cloud ($24.99/mo) vs managing your own VPS. Spoiler: managed usually wins.
Fully managed OpenClaw with SSL, monitoring, and 24/7 uptime. No server administration required.
Create Telegram bot, paste token, done. No servers to configure, no SSH keys, no Ubuntu packages.
Managed SSL certificates, automatic security updates, SOC 2 infrastructure, DDoS protection.
No system updates, no security patches, no monitoring setup. We handle everything.
Real humans who understand OpenClaw, not generic hosting support that's never heard of AI assistants.
Why does RAM matter? OpenClaw's browser automation and research tasks benefit from extra memory. 4GB gives you headroom for multi-step workflows without slowdowns.
Managed cloud VPS with 24/7 support, SPanel control panel included, and hassle-free server management.
24/7 human support team. Get help with setup, troubleshooting, and server issues anytime.
Full control panel (cPanel alternative) at no extra cost. Manage domains, emails, and files visually.
Real-time server monitoring and threat detection built-in. Keeps your OpenClaw installation safe.
Already on another provider? ScalaHosting will migrate your server for free.
Automatic snapshots so you never lose your OpenClaw configuration or data.
Fast SSD storage for snappy OpenClaw responses and quick file operations.
If you're not a server admin—or just don't want to deal with maintenance—ScalaHosting is the move. Their managed support means you can focus on using OpenClaw instead of troubleshooting Ubuntu packages. The included SPanel is especially handy if you want to host a website alongside your AI assistant. At $20/mo, it's barely more than unmanaged hosting but with way less headache.
ScalaHosting uses port 6543 for SSH, not the default port 22. Connect with: ssh root@YOUR_IP -p 6543
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Simple cloud hosting for those comfortable managing their own server. Lower cost, more hands-on.
Starting at $6/mo for basic plans. Good if you're comfortable with Linux administration.
Pick a datacenter close to you for lowest latency.
Pay only for what you use. Spin up, test, delete—no commitment.
Access your server from the browser if you get locked out of SSH.
Vultr is unmanaged hosting—you're responsible for server maintenance, security updates, and troubleshooting. This is fine if you know Linux, but can be frustrating if you're new to servers. Consider ScalaHosting if you want a smoother experience.
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| Factor | OpenClaw Cloud | DIY VPS |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly hosting cost | $24.99 | $12-20 |
| Setup time | 2 minutes | 2-4 hours |
| Maintenance time/month | 0 hours | 2-8 hours |
| Security updates | Automatic | Manual (your job) |
| SSL certificates | Included | DIY setup |
| Monitoring & alerts | Included | DIY setup |
| Backups | Automatic | DIY setup |
| Support | OpenClaw experts | Generic VPS support |
| Downtime risk | 99.9% SLA | Your responsibility |
| Best for | Everyone | DevOps pros only |
At $20/hour for your time, spending just 3 hours/month on maintenance costs $60—more than double the Cloud price. Factor in setup time, security risks from misconfigurations, and the stress of keeping your server running, and Cloud becomes a no-brainer for most people.
Skip the server administration and get straight to automating your life. OpenClaw Cloud is ready in 2 minutes.