Guide
Is OpenClaw Free?
OpenClaw is free and open source under the MIT license — anyone can download, run, and modify it at no cost. But keeping it online 24/7 requires a server, and AI models charge per message. Here's everything you need to know about OpenClaw pricing.
Yes — OpenClaw Is Free and Open Source
OpenClaw is released under the MIT license. That means you can download the source code, run it yourself, modify it, and even build commercial products on top of it — all for free. There is no license fee, no per-seat charge, and no paywall on features.
The software itself will always be free. What costs money is running it — specifically the server infrastructure and the AI model API calls that power your agent's responses.
What Does Self-Hosting Actually Cost?
To run OpenClaw yourself, you need a server that stays online 24/7. Here's what that typically involves:
- A VPS (Virtual Private Server) — $5–20/mo on providers like Hetzner, DigitalOcean, or Linode. A 1 vCPU / 2 GB RAM instance is enough for a single OpenClaw agent.
- Docker — OpenClaw runs in a Docker container. You need to install Docker, pull the image, and manage container lifecycle yourself.
- Node.js & dependencies — Some setup and occasional manual updates when new OpenClaw versions release.
- SSL / reverse proxy — Caddy or nginx to handle HTTPS for the web gateway. Free software, but requires configuration.
- Ongoing maintenance — Security patches, Docker image updates, monitoring, and debugging when things break. Expect 1–3 hours per month.
Bottom line: self-hosting OpenClaw costs $5–20/month in infrastructure plus your time to set it up and maintain it.
AI Model API Costs
OpenClaw doesn't include an AI model — it connects to AI providers like OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google via their APIs. These APIs charge per token (roughly per word). Costs depend heavily on which model you choose and how much your agent is used.
| Provider | Popular Model | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| OpenRouter | Claude Sonnet 4.5 (via OpenRouter) | ~$3/mo for light use |
| OpenAI | GPT-4o | ~$5–20/mo for moderate use |
| Anthropic | Claude Sonnet | ~$5–20/mo for moderate use |
| Gemini 2.0 Flash | ~$1–5/mo (very affordable) | |
| Local (Ollama) | Llama 3, Mistral, etc. | $0 (runs on your hardware) |
If you want to keep AI costs near zero, you can run a local model with Ollama — though quality is lower than cloud models. For most users, budget $5–20/mo for AI API calls on top of hosting.
The Managed Alternative: OpenClaw Launch
If you'd rather not manage servers, Docker, SSL, and updates yourself, OpenClaw Launch is a managed hosting platform purpose-built for OpenClaw. You configure your agent visually and deploy in under a minute — no command line required.
Plans start at $3 for the first month (then $6/mo for Lite), making it cheaper than most VPS options once you factor in your time.
What's Included in Managed Plans
- Dedicated Docker container for your agent
- Automatic SSL and HTTPS — no configuration needed
- 24/7 uptime monitoring and auto-restart
- Visual configurator — no JSON editing
- Included AI credits (via OpenRouter) each month
- Access to 3,200+ skills and MCP tools
- Automatic OpenClaw updates
- Email support
Pricing Comparison: Free vs Managed
| Self-Hosted (Free) | OpenClaw Launch Lite ($6/mo) | OpenClaw Launch Pro ($20/mo) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software cost | Free (MIT) | $3 first mo, then $6/mo | $20/mo |
| Server / hosting | $5–20/mo (VPS) | Included | Included |
| SSL / HTTPS | DIY (Caddy/nginx) | Included | Included |
| AI credits | None (BYOK) | Included each month | More included each month |
| 3,200+ skills | Manual install | Included | Included |
| Monitoring & restarts | Self-managed | Included | Included |
| Updates | Manual | Automatic | Automatic |
| Setup time | 2–6 hours | Under 1 minute | Under 1 minute |
| Free trial | Always free | Yes | Yes |
Is There a Free Trial?
Yes. OpenClaw Launch offers a free trial — no credit card required to start. You can deploy your first agent, connect a messaging channel, and see how it works before committing to a plan.
When to Self-Host vs Use a Managed Plan
Self-hosting makes sense if you're a developer who enjoys managing infrastructure, want full control over your data, or are running multiple agents at scale. The OpenClaw software is free and the community is active.
A managed plan makes sense if you want your agent online quickly without any server work, value your time over a few dollars per month, or aren't comfortable with Docker and Linux.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OpenClaw really free?
Yes — the OpenClaw software is 100% free and open source under the MIT license. You pay nothing for the code itself. Costs come from running a server ($5–20/mo) and AI model API usage ($5–30/mo typical). Managed hosting plans like OpenClaw Launch bundle these for $6–20/mo.
Can I use OpenClaw without paying for AI?
Yes, if you run a local model with Ollama on your own hardware. For cloud-hosted AI (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google), you'll pay per token. OpenClaw Launch plans include AI credits to help offset this cost.
What is OpenClaw's license?
OpenClaw is licensed under the MIT license, one of the most permissive open-source licenses. You can use it freely for personal and commercial purposes, with no restrictions beyond keeping the copyright notice.
How does OpenClaw Launch pricing compare to self-hosting?
Once you factor in VPS costs ($5–20/mo), setup time (2–6 hours), and ongoing maintenance, OpenClaw Launch Lite at $6/mo is often cheaper in practice — especially since it includes AI credits and handles all infrastructure for you.