Comparison
OpenClaw Launch vs MyClaw vs Self-Hosting
A detailed comparison of the three main ways to run OpenClaw in 2026 — managed hosting with OpenClaw Launch, managed hosting with MyClaw, or self-hosting on your own server.
Quick Comparison
| OpenClaw Launch | MyClaw | Self-Hosting (VPS) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $6/mo | $19/mo | $5–20/mo + time |
| Setup time | 30 seconds | ~5 minutes | 2–6 hours |
| Visual configurator | Yes | No | No |
| AI credits included | $1–10/mo | BYOK only | BYOK only |
| BYOK (own API key) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Telegram | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Discord | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Web Chat | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Auto updates | Yes | Yes | Manual |
| SSL / HTTPS | Automatic | Automatic | Manual setup |
| Daily backups | Yes | Yes | DIY |
| Docker knowledge | Not needed | Not needed | Required |
| Full root access | No | Yes | Yes |
| Skills marketplace | Built-in browser | Manual install | Manual install |
OpenClaw Launch
OpenClaw Launch is the most affordable managed OpenClaw hosting. It uses a visual configurator — pick your AI model and chat platform from a form, click deploy, and your agent is live in 30 seconds. No command line, no config files, no Docker.
Best for: Users who want the fastest, cheapest way to get OpenClaw running. Non-technical users. People who want to try OpenClaw without commitment.
Pricing:
- Lite — $6/mo with $1 in AI credits
- Pro — $20/mo with $10 in AI credits
Unique features:
- Visual configurator (no JSON editing)
- AI credits included in every plan
- Near-instant deployment via warm pool technology
- Built-in skills browser
- Per-model cost tracking
MyClaw
MyClaw.ai is another managed hosting platform for OpenClaw. It provides dedicated virtual servers with full root access and higher resource allocations.
Best for: Power users who want a dedicated server with full root access. Teams that need higher resource limits.
Pricing:
- Lite — $19/mo (2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM)
- Pro — $39/mo (4 vCPU, 8 GB RAM)
- Max — $79/mo (8 vCPU, 16 GB RAM)
Trade-offs:
- 3x more expensive than OpenClaw Launch at the entry level
- No visual configurator — standard OpenClaw setup
- No AI credits included — bring your own API keys
- Higher resource allocations (useful for heavy workloads)
Self-Hosting on a VPS
The DIY approach — rent a VPS from Hetzner, DigitalOcean, or Vultr, install Docker, and set up OpenClaw yourself. Full control over everything.
Best for: Developers and sysadmins who want full control. People who already have a server. Those who enjoy tinkering.
Typical cost: $5–20/month for a VPS + AI model API costs
What you need to handle yourself:
- Docker installation and container management
- JSON config file creation and debugging
- SSL certificate setup (Caddy or Nginx + Let's Encrypt)
- Firewall configuration
- Security patches and OpenClaw updates
- Monitoring and restart scripts
- Backup strategy
Read our complete self-hosting guide →
Which Should You Choose?
Choose OpenClaw Launch if you want the cheapest managed option, prefer a visual setup, or are new to OpenClaw. Best value at $6/mo with AI credits included.
Choose MyClaw if you need a dedicated server with full root access and higher resource limits, and don't mind paying 3x more.
Choose self-hosting if you're comfortable with Docker and CLI, already have a server, and want maximum control over your setup.