Working an AI agent on a third-party platform means your information, API keys, and dialog historical past sit on another person’s server. For builders and small groups who need actual privateness or tighter value management, that is a respectable concern. Self-hosting OpenClaw on a VPS is a sensible repair, and the method is extra easy than it was.
OpenClaw is an open-source AI assistant that connects to messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Slack, and lets an AI mannequin deal with actual duties in your behalf. As a result of the gateway runs by yourself server, you determine which AI suppliers to attach, which Expertise to allow, and the way a lot system entry the agent will get.
What you want earlier than you begin
You will want an API key out of your chosen AI supplier earlier than provisioning a server. OpenClaw works with Anthropic’s Claude, OpenAI’s GPT fashions, and native fashions by way of Ollama, amongst others. Telegram is the simplest messaging platform to begin with on a VPS, because it would not require port forwarding.
Chances are you’ll like
On the {hardware} aspect, OpenClaw’s documentation recommends no less than 2 vCPUs and 4 GB RAM for improvement and testing. Manufacturing workloads are higher served by 4 vCPUs and eight GB RAM, with no less than 20 GB of SSD storage. In the event you plan to run native AI fashions by way of Ollama alongside OpenClaw, finances for considerably extra RAM.
Tips on how to self-host OpenClaw on Hostinger VPS
Hostinger is our really useful VPS choose for OpenClaw in 2026. It is one of many few suppliers with a devoted one-click OpenClaw template constructed into its management panel, which removes a big chunk of guide work round Nginx, SSL certificates, and Docker setup.
Step 1: Select your plan.
Head to Hostinger’s OpenClaw VPS internet hosting web page. Our really useful KVM2 plan begins at round $8.99/month on a two-year time period. The entry-level configuration covers most private or small-team workloads, however should you anticipate heavier automation or a number of concurrent customers, transfer up a tier.
Step 2: Add your AI credit or API key.
Throughout checkout, you’ll be able to add nexos.ai credit on to your plan, supplying you with entry to OpenAI and Anthropic fashions with out managing API keys individually. Bringing your individual API key can be supported at this stage.
Step 3: Save your gateway token.
As soon as your order is confirmed, copy your OpenClaw gateway token and retailer it someplace safe. You will additionally join your WhatsApp quantity or most well-liked messaging platform at this step.
What to learn subsequent
Step 4: Deploy.
Hostinger provisions your VPS, installs OpenClaw by way of Docker, and configures the surroundings robotically. You will land within the Docker Supervisor inside hPanel when it is finished.
Step 5: Configure your occasion.
Entry your OpenClaw occasion via the Management UI or an SSH tunnel from the Docker Supervisor. The primary account you create turns into the administrator, and you may configure Expertise, alter lively messaging channels, and tune efficiency settings from there.
Shared internet hosting cannot help OpenClaw’s always-on structure, so the devoted CPU and reminiscence allocation on a VPS issues greater than the spec sheet suggests. Hostinger’s community can be well-suited to the persistent WebSocket connections OpenClaw makes use of throughout messaging channels.
Securing your deployment
Safety is your duty while you self-host, so it is value sorting just a few issues earlier than you go stay. Preserve OpenClaw’s gateway port (18789) off the general public web and route exterior site visitors via Nginx as a substitute. The gateway ought to bind to 127.0.0.1, not 0.0.0.0, which would go away it uncovered with out authentication.
Entry the Management UI remotely by way of an SSH tunnel or Tailscale somewhat than binding it to a public IP. OpenClaw has attain over your information, shell, and browser, so a misconfigured occasion is an actual assault floor. In the event you’re operating it for a crew the place not everybody shares the identical belief degree, separate gateway situations are safer than a shared one.
We additionally advocate establishing automated backups of your workspace and configuration information earlier than the rest. Hostinger contains backup choices throughout its VPS plans, however examine the schedule and take a look at a restoration earlier than you really need it.
Different suppliers value contemplating
Hostinger is not the one supplier with OpenClaw help. Just a few others are value taking a look at, relying in your finances and placement:
- Contabo has devoted OpenClaw VPS plans with outlined useful resource tiers ranging from 4 vCPUs and eight GB RAM, with aggressive pricing on higher-spec configurations.
- Kamatera payments hourly and affords 20+ international information facilities, which swimsuit groups that want granular value management or low latency to a particular area. Improvement environments begin at round $6/month.
- DigitalOcean is a stable alternative for guide deployments. The official OpenClaw docs cowl DigitalOcean setups, and the droplet market has community-built configurations to begin from.
- Hetzner is common within the OpenClaw group, particularly for European workloads, and is one in all three suppliers supported by ClawHost, an open-source device for automated OpenClaw deployments.
- Vultr works properly for self-managed setups and can be supported by ClawHost alongside Hetzner and DigitalOcean.
Throughout all of those, the baseline necessities are the identical: KVM virtualization (shared internet hosting will not run Docker), 4 vCPUs and eight GB RAM for manufacturing, and full root entry.
What to anticipate when you’re stay
As soon as your occasion is operating, OpenClaw stays on-line across the clock and responds to messages or executes duties whether or not or not your individual machine is on. Particular person customers usually begin with scheduling, e-mail triage, and net analysis via easy chat instructions. Groups have a tendency to construct extra concerned workflows over time, like inside bots, GitHub automation, and multi-channel help instruments.
OpenClaw remains to be a fast-moving undertaking, and what it will possibly truly do will depend on which Expertise and AI suppliers you join. Earlier than enabling any third-party Expertise on a manufacturing server, overview their code. Verify periodically which file system permissions and instruments your agent wants, and take away something it would not use. Broader entry than mandatory is a legal responsibility.
