Best VPS for OpenClaw: Self-Host Your AI Assistant

Want to run your own AI assistant that connects to WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, and iMessage? OpenClaw is the open-source gateway that makes it possible — and a good VPS is the perfect home for it.

What is OpenClaw?

OpenClaw is an open-source AI assistant gateway that bridges messaging platforms (WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, iMessage) to AI coding agents. Think of it as your personal AI assistant that lives on a server and responds to your messages 24/7.

Why Self-Host OpenClaw?

• Always-on AI assistant — Responds to messages even when your laptop is off
• Multi-platform — One gateway for WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, and iMessage
• Full control — Your data stays on your server
• Customizable — Add skills, automate tasks, connect to your tools
• No subscription fees — Just the VPS cost (as low as $4.99/mo)

Honest Take: A Mac Mini at Home Is the Best Way to Run OpenClaw

Before we get into VPS picks, let's be real — the best way to run OpenClaw is on a Mac Mini sitting in your home.

Here's why: OpenClaw isn't just a chatbot. It's a personal AI assistant that becomes deeply integrated into your life. When it runs at home, it can do things a VPS simply can't:

• Control your local devices — Smart home, NAS, printers, media servers. Your AI can manage your entire home network.
• Run your own password manager — Tools like 1Password CLI give OpenClaw secure access to secrets without anything leaving your network.
• Access local files — Your photos, documents, code projects. No uploading to cloud servers.
• Automate home infrastructure — Backups to your NAS, monitoring your home network, controlling Home Assistant.
• Stay truly private — Everything runs on your hardware, on your network. Nothing leaves your house unless you want it to.

A Mac Mini M2 ($599) draws about 5W idle, runs silent, and has more than enough power for OpenClaw. It pays for itself in about 3 years compared to VPS costs — and you get a full computer, not just a VM slice.

When a VPS still makes sense:

• You travel frequently and need guaranteed uptime even during power outages
• You want your assistant accessible from anywhere without setting up port forwarding
• You don't want to deal with home networking (dynamic IP, ISP issues)
• You need a server in a specific region for latency reasons

For everyone else — especially if you're already running a homelab — a Mac Mini is the move. That said, here are the best VPS options if you go the cloud route.

OpenClaw VPS Requirements

OpenClaw is lightweight but needs a reliable server for 24/7 operation:

Requirement	Minimum	Recommended
CPU	1 vCPU	2+ vCPU
RAM	2GB	4GB+
Storage	20GB SSD	50GB+ NVMe
OS	Ubuntu 22.04+	Ubuntu 24.04 LTS
Node.js	v22+	v22 LTS

For most users running OpenClaw with a few channels and moderate usage, a 4GB RAM VPS handles everything smoothly.

Top VPS Picks for OpenClaw

1. Hostinger VPS (Best Value)

$4.99/mo | 1 vCPU, 4GB RAM, 50GB NVMe

Hostinger's KVM 1 plan offers the best specs for the price:

• 4GB RAM — more than enough for OpenClaw
• NVMe storage for fast workspace operations
• 24/7 live chat support
• 4TB bandwidth

Why it's great for OpenClaw: Most RAM per dollar, beginner-friendly panel, and responsive support when your AI assistant needs attention.

2. Hetzner Cloud (Best for Europe)

€3.79/mo | 2 vCPU, 4GB RAM, 40GB NVMe

If you're EU-based, Hetzner offers excellent value:

• Unmetered traffic
• German data centers (GDPR compliant)
• Great API for automation

3. DigitalOcean (Best Developer Experience)

$12/mo | 2GB RAM, 1 vCPU, 50GB SSD

For developers who want the best documentation and API:

• Industry-leading tutorials
• Excellent doctl CLI
• Strong community support

How to Install OpenClaw on VPS

Step 1: Initial Server Setup

# Update system
apt update && apt upgrade -y

# Install Node.js 22
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | bash -
apt install -y nodejs

# Verify
node --version  # Should show v22.x.x

Step 2: Install OpenClaw

# Install globally
npm install -g openclaw@latest

# Run onboarding wizard
openclaw onboard --install-daemon

The wizard guides you through:

• Setting up your workspace
• Configuring model authentication (Claude, OpenAI, etc.)
• Installing the background service

Step 3: Connect Messaging Channels

Telegram:

openclaw channels add --channel telegram --token "YOUR_BOT_TOKEN"

WhatsApp (scan QR):

openclaw channels login

Discord:

openclaw channels add --channel discord --token "YOUR_BOT_TOKEN"

Step 4: Test Your Setup

Send a message to your connected Telegram/WhatsApp/Discord — your AI assistant should respond!

Docker Installation (Alternative)

# Install Docker
curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh

# Clone and run
git clone https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.git
cd openclaw
./docker-setup.sh

OpenClaw Optimization Tips

1. Use a Firewall

ufw allow ssh
ufw allow 18789/tcp  # Only if needed externally
ufw enable

2. Automatic Backups

# Backup OpenClaw state
tar -czf openclaw-backup-$(date +%Y%m%d).tar.gz ~/.openclaw/

3. Monitor Resources

htop
journalctl -u openclaw -f  # View logs

OpenClaw vs Other AI Assistants

Feature	OpenClaw (Self-Hosted)	ChatGPT Plus	Claude Pro
Monthly Cost	~$5 (VPS only)	$20	$20
WhatsApp Integration	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No
Telegram Bot	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No
Custom Skills	✅ Yes	Limited	Limited
Data Privacy	✅ Your server	Their servers	Their servers
Automation/Cron	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No

FAQ

What model providers does OpenClaw support?

OpenClaw works with Claude (Anthropic), OpenAI, and others via API keys or OAuth.

Can I use multiple messaging apps?

Yes! Connect WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, and iMessage simultaneously.

Is OpenClaw secure?

Yes. By default, it binds to localhost and requires a token for access.

How much bandwidth does OpenClaw use?

Minimal for text — a few GB/month. With media, budget 20-50GB/month.

Conclusion

For self-hosting OpenClaw, Hostinger offers the best value at $4.99/mo with 4GB RAM. That's enough to run your AI assistant 24/7 across multiple messaging platforms.

Whether you want a personal AI assistant on WhatsApp or a multi-platform automation hub, a VPS provides the perfect always-on foundation.