How to Run OpenClaw on a VPS (Beginner-Friendly 2026 Guide)

Updated November 7, 2026 · We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. How we make money.

Short answer: For most people, a 2-vCPU / 4 GB VPS with a one-click OpenClaw template is the easiest route. Hostinger's KVM 2 plan with its OpenClaw template gets you running without typing commands. If you're comfortable in a terminal, any Ubuntu VPS works with OpenClaw's official installer.

See Hostinger's OpenClaw VPS plans

OpenClaw only works while the machine it runs on is awake. On a laptop it stops when the lid closes. A VPS (a small rented server in a data center) keeps it online around the clock, so it can answer you on Telegram, run scheduled tasks and keep its memory between conversations.

Pick your path

Path	Time	Terminal needed?	Best for
One-click template on a VPS	~10 min	No	Beginners who still want their own server
Manual install on any Ubuntu VPS	~25 min	Yes (copy and paste)	People who want full control or the cheapest host
Managed OpenClaw hosting	~2 min	No	People who want the agent, not a server

If you’re not sure, take the 60-second host finder.

What you need

A server: 2 vCPU and 4 GB RAM is the comfortable sweet spot. OpenClaw can start on 1–2 GB, but browser automation and multiple skills want more memory.
An operating system: Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04 is the safest choice.
An AI model key: from Anthropic, OpenAI, OpenRouter or another supported provider. You can also point OpenClaw at local models through Ollama, but that needs much more RAM (or a GPU).
Optional: a domain name, if you want to reach the dashboard at your own web address.

Path 1: One-click template (no terminal)

Hostinger’s VPS plans include OpenClaw in the Docker Manager catalog.

Choose a VPS plan. KVM 2 (2 vCPU, 8 GB) leaves headroom; KVM 1 works for light use.
During setup, or later in hPanel, open Docker Manager → Catalog and search for OpenClaw.
Click Deploy, then fill in the environment settings it asks for (your model provider and API key).
Wait a minute or two until the status shows Running.
Open the dashboard using your server’s IP address and the port Docker Manager shows.

To update later: Docker Manager → Projects → OpenClaw → Update.

Note: Hostinger also sells a separate managed OpenClaw product. With that one, Hostinger runs the server for you. With the VPS template, the server is yours to look after, including security (see below).

Get a Hostinger VPS with OpenClaw

Path 2: Manual install on any Ubuntu VPS

This works on DigitalOcean, Vultr, Hetzner or any other Linux VPS.

1. Connect to your server

ssh root@YOUR_SERVER_IP

2. Create a regular user so OpenClaw doesn’t run as root:

adduser openclaw
usermod -aG sudo openclaw
su - openclaw

3. Run OpenClaw’s official installer. It detects your Linux version, installs Node.js if needed, then installs OpenClaw:

curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash

4. Finish onboarding. The installer walks you through choosing a model provider and pasting your API key. Make sure it installs the gateway as a background service so it survives reboots and logouts.

5. Reach the dashboard safely. The OpenClaw gateway listens on port 18789. Don’t open that port to the internet. Use an SSH tunnel from your own computer instead:

ssh -L 18789:localhost:18789 openclaw@YOUR_SERVER_IP

Then visit http://localhost:18789 in your browser.

6. If the dashboard says “pairing required,” approve your device from the server:

openclaw devices list
openclaw devices approve --latest

7. If anything misbehaves, run the built-in checker:

openclaw doctor

Lock it down (don’t skip this)

Your API keys live on this server, in ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json, and OpenClaw can browse the web and run commands. Treat the server like it holds your credit card.

Keep the gateway private. Reach it through an SSH tunnel, Tailscale or a Cloudflare Tunnel, never an open port.
Turn on the firewall: sudo ufw allow OpenSSH && sudo ufw enable
Use SSH keys and disable password and root logins.
Keep it updated. OpenClaw ships updates often.
Never commit or share openclaw.json.

Connect it to your phone

Most people talk to OpenClaw through Telegram. You create a bot with Telegram’s @BotFather, copy the token it gives you, and add it in OpenClaw’s configuration. WhatsApp, Discord and Slack are also supported.

What it costs per month

Item	Typical cost
VPS (2–4 GB)	$9–$15
AI model usage	$10–$50+, depending on how much you use it
Domain (optional)	~$1 a month

The model bill usually outweighs the server bill. See our full cost breakdown.

FAQ

Is OpenClaw free? The software is free and open source. You pay for the server and the AI model you connect it to.

Do I need a Mac mini? No. A Mac mini works, but a VPS is cheaper up front, doesn’t sit in your house, and stays online during power cuts and Wi-Fi drops.

Can I run it on a cheaper 1 GB server? It can start, but you’ll hit memory limits quickly once you add skills or browser automation.

Which host should I pick? Compare them in our Best VPS for OpenClaw guide.