The server requirements for running OpenClaw aren't demanding, but a poor choice creates real problems: insufficient memory causes service crashes, the wrong node location drives up API latency, and an unreliable provider means all your automated tasks go offline when it does. The seven providers below are among the most commonly chosen options, each with a distinct focus.
1. Vultr
32 data centers worldwide, with nodes in Tokyo, Singapore, Los Angeles, and Frankfurt. Hourly billing means you can stop any time without wasting money, and new user credits make it easy to test different nodes before committing to one long-term.
Recommended plan: 2 cores / 2GB RAM, $10/month. NVMe storage makes deployment and startup fast, and creating a new server takes under a minute. Best for personal AI assistants, Telegram bots, automation scripts, and anyone who needs the flexibility to switch nodes.
2. DigitalOcean
One of the most respected platforms in the developer community, with a documentation library that's among the best in the industry. Stability is consistently strong and downtime is rare—well suited for long-term deployments where you don't want to deal with operational issues.
Recommended plan: 2 cores / 4GB RAM, $24/month. The price is on the higher side, but the stability justifies it. The Singapore node works well for Asia-Pacific users calling overseas APIs. Best for long-term AI agent deployment, SaaS projects, and automation systems with high reliability requirements.
3. Hetzner
The best value VPS in Europe. The CAX series ARM plan with 2 cores and 4GB runs at €4.50/month; the x86 CX22 is €4.59/month. Nothing else comes close at this configuration level. Bandwidth quotas are generous and resource allocation is honest with minimal overselling.
Note: prices increase from April 2026—verify current pricing before purchasing. Data centers are in Germany and Finland, so latency from mainland China is high. Credit card only, no Alipay. Best for users running long-term AI agents or automation servers who prioritize cost-efficiency, particularly those targeting European users.
4. Tencent Cloud
The lowest barrier to entry for users in China. The Lighthouse Application Server offers one-click OpenClaw deployment via application image, eliminating manual environment setup. Chinese console, Alipay and WeChat Pay accepted, generous new user discounts.
Recommended plan: Singapore or Hong Kong node, 2 cores / 2GB RAM, ¥30–50/month. Overseas nodes are required for stable calls to APIs like Claude and OpenAI—domestic nodes are prone to timeouts. Best for domestic developers getting started, internal enterprise automation, and anyone who wants one-click deployment.
5. Alibaba Cloud
Also provides official OpenClaw application images. Enterprise-grade stability, full support ticket system, and broad global data center coverage. Hong Kong and Singapore nodes are well optimized for access from mainland China.
Recommended plan: 2 cores / 4GB RAM, ¥60–100/month. More expensive than Tencent Cloud, but the stability and support infrastructure are more complete—appropriate for enterprise-scale applications. Native integration with Tongyi Qianwen makes it the natural choice if you're primarily using Alibaba's AI models. Best for enterprise automation deployments and projects that require reliable customer service and technical support.
6. Linode (Akamai Cloud)
An established provider founded in 2003, now under Akamai. Its reliability has been built up over decades rather than marketed—downtime incidents are rare, the technical support team is knowledgeable, and the documentation is thorough.
Recommended plan: 2 cores / 2GB RAM, $12/month. The interface isn't the most modern, but it's stable and dependable. Best for developers running long-term automated systems who prioritize uptime and technical support quality.
7. Hostwinds
North American nodes in Seattle and Dallas. 2 cores / 4GB RAM at $10/month is competitive for that configuration level. A managed option is available that handles system updates and basic maintenance—useful for anyone who doesn't want to deal with ops work. Unlimited bandwidth means no traffic overage concerns.
Note: no Asian nodes, so latency from mainland China will be high. Best for AI projects targeting North American users where self-managed operations and customer support are priorities.
Configuration guidelines
| Use case | Recommended configuration |
|---|---|
| Personal AI assistant | 2 cores / 2GB RAM |
| Automation system | 2 cores / 4GB RAM |
| Enterprise deployment | 4 cores / 8GB RAM |
Memory is the key variable. Once OpenClaw enables browser automation via Playwright, memory consumption increases significantly. 2GB is the workable minimum; 4GB runs noticeably more stable. Prefer NVMe storage—I/O performance directly affects agent response speed. Ubuntu 22.04 LTS remains the best choice for OS compatibility.
Node selection
For stable calls to overseas AI APIs—OpenAI, Claude, OpenRouter—choose nodes in Singapore, Japan, or the US West Coast. Latency is low and request success rates are high. Domestic nodes time out frequently when hitting overseas APIs and aren't recommended. For European users, Hetzner's German nodes offer unmatched value.
Summary comparison
| Provider | Value | Stability | Beginner-friendly | Domestic access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vultr | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good |
| DigitalOcean | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good |
| Hetzner | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Average |
| Tencent Cloud | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent |
| Alibaba Cloud | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Excellent |
| Linode | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Good |
| Hostwinds | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Average |
In short: for maximum value, start with Hetzner. For beginners, Vultr or Tencent Cloud. For the best domestic access experience, Tencent Cloud or Alibaba Cloud. For long-term stable operation, DigitalOcean or Linode.