Self-Hosted vs Managed: Choosing Your OpenClaw Deployment
OpenClaw is open-source, so you have a real choice. Self-host for maximum control, or go managed for zero maintenance. Both are valid paths.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Self-Hosted OpenClaw
- Full control over infrastructure and configuration
- Modify source code to your exact needs
- Choose any hosting provider worldwide
- No monthly service fee (only server + API costs)
- Requires Docker, Linux, and DevOps knowledge
- You handle updates, security patches, and monitoring
- You manage backups and disaster recovery
- Troubleshooting is your responsibility
RunTheAgents Managed Hosting
- Optimized, maintained infrastructure
- Use OpenClaw as-is with configuration options
- Deployed to reliable infrastructure automatically
- $49.95/month flat fee (plus your API key costs)
- No technical skills required
- Automatic updates and security patches
- Built-in monitoring and uptime tracking
- Support available when things go wrong
The Hidden Costs of Self-Hosting
Self-hosting appears cheaper on paper. A VPS costs $5-20/month, and OpenClaw is free to download. But the true cost includes your time.
Initial setup takes 2-8 hours depending on your experience. Then there are ongoing costs: applying updates, monitoring uptime, debugging issues when your instance goes down at 2 AM, managing SSL certificates, configuring firewalls, and handling the inevitable dependency conflicts during upgrades.
For developers and DevOps professionals who enjoy this work, self-hosting is a rewarding choice. For everyone else, the time cost of self-hosting almost always exceeds the $49.95/month managed fee within the first month.
What Managed Hosting Includes
One-Click Deployment
Go from signup to a running instance in under 60 seconds. No server provisioning, no Docker commands, no configuration files to edit.
Automatic Updates
When OpenClaw releases new features or security patches, your managed instance updates automatically. No manual intervention required.
Uptime Monitoring
Your instance is monitored continuously. If something goes wrong, the platform detects it and works to restore service before you even notice.
Isolated Environment
Each managed instance runs in its own isolated environment. Your data and processes are completely separated from other users.
Time Investment Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
Ready to get started?
Deploy your own OpenClaw instance in under 60 seconds. No VPS, no Docker, no SSH. Just your personal AI assistant, ready to work.
Starting at $39.95/month. Everything included. 3-day money-back guarantee.