VPS Alternative

OpenClaw withoutthe VPS hassle

Skip the OpenClaw VPS rental, the SSH setup, and the server admin. ClawRunway runs your OpenClaw instance on managed cloud infrastructure — same OpenClaw, zero DevOps work.

No VPS rental No SSH or terminal $19.99/mo flat
Comparison

OpenClaw VPS setup vs. ClawRunway

Self-hosted OpenClaw VPS

  • Rent a VPS ($5-20/mo)
  • SSH in and install Node.js + dependencies
  • Clone OpenClaw repo and configure
  • Set up Nginx reverse proxy
  • Configure SSL with Let's Encrypt
  • Set up PM2/systemd for auto-restart
  • Apply OS security patches monthly
  • Debug crashes at 2am yourself

~2-3 hours setup · Ongoing maintenance

ClawRunway managed hosting

  • Sign in with Google
  • Pick your AI model (Claude, GPT, Gemini, Kimi)
  • Paste your API key
  • Click Deploy — instance is live
  • Auto-restart included
  • SSL handled automatically
  • Updates applied without downtime
  • 24/7 managed by ClawRunway

~60 seconds · No maintenance

Real Cost

The real cost of an OpenClaw VPS

Self-hosted VPS path

  • VPS (2 GB RAM)$10-20/mo
  • Initial setup time2-3 hours
  • Monthly maintenance1-2 hours
  • Backup/snapshot storage$2-5/mo
  • Domain + SSL setup$10-15/yr

Total: ~$15-25/mo + your time

ClawRunway managed

  • Hosting + computeIncluded
  • Setup time60 seconds
  • Monthly maintenance0 hours
  • SSL + domainIncluded
  • Auto-restart + monitoringIncluded

Total: $19.99/mo flat

FAQ

OpenClaw VPS questions

Do I need a VPS to run OpenClaw?

No. While OpenClaw can run on a VPS, ClawRunway eliminates the need entirely. Your OpenClaw instance runs on managed cloud infrastructure with auto-restart, monitoring, and zero server management.

How much does an OpenClaw VPS cost vs ClawRunway?

A capable OpenClaw VPS costs $5-20/month from DigitalOcean, Hetzner, or AWS — plus your time for setup (2-3 hours), maintenance, security updates, and SSL renewals. ClawRunway is $19.99/month flat, all-inclusive, with zero DevOps work.

What VPS specs does OpenClaw need?

OpenClaw needs at least 2 GB RAM and 1 vCPU for stable operation. You'll also need 10 GB disk space, Node.js 20+, and a reverse proxy like Nginx with SSL. ClawRunway runs your instance on managed infrastructure sized correctly out of the box.

Can I migrate my OpenClaw VPS to ClawRunway?

Yes. OpenClaw configuration is portable. Sign up for ClawRunway, deploy a fresh instance with your AI API key, and decommission your old VPS. Your conversations remain on the AI provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google) — nothing is lost.

What about VPS security updates?

On a self-hosted OpenClaw VPS, you're responsible for OS patches, Node.js updates, SSL renewals, and OpenClaw version upgrades. ClawRunway handles all of this automatically — security patches, dependency updates, and OpenClaw releases are applied without downtime.

What if I want to self-host OpenClaw on my own VPS?

OpenClaw is open source and self-hostable. ClawRunway is for users who want the convenience of one-click deployment. If you prefer running your own VPS, you can follow the OpenClaw documentation. ClawRunway is for everyone else.

Skip the OpenClaw VPS

No rentals, no SSH, no Nginx configs. Deploy OpenClaw on managed cloud infrastructure in one click.