The easiest way to deploy OpenClaw is to pick the right server from the start—no local environment setup, no dependency conflicts. The four options below cover a range of needs from beginner to more advanced use cases. Pick what fits your situation.
Alibaba Cloud (¥68/year for new users)
A 2-core 2GB configuration at ¥68 for the first year makes this the lowest entry cost of the four. It's a domestic server with fast local access speeds, a polished console, a beginner-friendly interface, and a wealth of Chinese documentation and community resources to draw on when you run into problems.
It's well suited for testing OpenClaw's features, running lightweight bots, and personal projects. If you just want to verify whether OpenClaw meets your needs before committing further, Alibaba Cloud is the lowest-risk starting point.
Two things worth thinking through in advance: first, domestic servers come with data compliance considerations—you'll need to evaluate what projects you're running and what data you're storing. Second, overseas access is mediocre. If your OpenClaw needs to connect to Telegram or Discord, or call overseas APIs, a domestic server will create noticeable network friction. In those scenarios, Alibaba Cloud is the wrong choice.
Tencent Cloud (¥99/year)
Also a 2-core 2GB configuration, at ¥99 for the first year—¥31 more than Alibaba Cloud. What that ¥31 buys you is access to overseas node options. Tencent Cloud's lightweight servers support data centers including Silicon Valley, with a simple management interface that's just as beginner-friendly and an equally straightforward deployment process.
If your OpenClaw needs to connect to Telegram or Discord, or make calls to overseas model APIs, the Tencent Cloud Silicon Valley node is the most cost-effective way to get there. Overseas servers sidestep domestic compliance concerns, and access to overseas platforms is significantly smoother.
Two caveats: low-tier plans come with limited traffic allowances, so if your bot sees heavy usage or high data volume, confirm upfront that the quota is sufficient. Also, the promotional price is a new-user special—renewal rates may be higher, so factor long-term costs into your decision.
AWS (Amazon Cloud)
AWS offers new users a free tier on select instances for up to six months, stackable with roughly $200 in new-user credits. The upfront cost can be very low. Global node coverage is extensive, the infrastructure is enterprise-grade, compute and network quality are the strongest of these four options, and the scalability ceiling is the highest—you can grow from a personal project to a commercial AI service without switching platforms.
That said, the barrier to entry is real. Overseas payment is required, so domestic users will need PayPal or a foreign credit card. Billing is complex—compute, storage, and traffic are all metered separately, and it's easy for newcomers to rack up unexpected charges without realizing it. Many people have been caught out by this. The learning curve for the console is also steeper than domestic cloud providers: the interface is English-only, configuration options are numerous, and getting comfortable without some prior cloud computing background takes time.
AWS is the right fit for users with some technical experience who are serious about running a long-term AI service. If your goal isn't just to get OpenClaw running but to build a sustained AI workflow on top of it, AWS's scalability and global coverage are hard to match.
Google Cloud
A three-month free trial with $300 in credits makes this the most generous introductory offer of the four. Network quality is excellent, and the integration with the Google ecosystem runs deep. If you're already using Google Workspace, Google Drive, or Gemini-related services, everything connects naturally.
For users who want to deeply integrate OpenClaw with Google services—reading Google Drive files, connecting to Google Calendar, calling Google AI APIs—doing all of that on Google Cloud is meaningfully smoother than on any other platform.
The downsides mirror AWS: overseas payment is required, the console skews technical, and after the free period, it's the most expensive of the four options. It's best suited for users already embedded in the Google ecosystem or those with clear plans for large-scale deployment. If low long-term cost is your priority, this one will put the most pressure on your budget.
How to choose
The decision isn't complicated—just match your actual needs to the right option.
Wanting to try OpenClaw, validate features, or work on a personal project? Go with Alibaba Cloud—¥68 for a year with minimal risk. Need to connect to overseas platforms or call overseas APIs? Tencent Cloud's Silicon Valley node solves that for ¥31 more. Have a technical foundation, planning a long-term AI service, and need global nodes? Start with AWS and use the free tier to get your architecture in place. Deep in the Google ecosystem or planning tight integration with Google services? Google Cloud is the natural fit.
Don't get paralyzed trying to find the perfect setup from day one. Get OpenClaw running at the lowest cost first. Once it's up and you're using it, you'll quickly learn what you actually need—and upgrading at that point is straightforward.