Hosting, VPS, and One-Click Cloud Deployment
Two things are clear: server prices have dropped a lot, and many China-first users now start with one-click cloud templates instead of a hand-built VPS. You still need to understand the tradeoffs.
HETZNER
Global VPS PlaybookThe cleanest community-taught VPS path outside one-click cloud templates
Hetzner remains the easiest global community recommendation for an always-on OpenClaw gateway when you want a simple Linux server, strong value, and full control without a platform wrapper.
Deployment Options
| Cloud / VPS | Start Price | Setup Ease | Best For | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Aliyun | from ¥9.9 / mo | Domestic one-click onboarding, bundled model paths, and broad community coverage | Hub | |
Tencent Cloud | from about ¥17 / mo | Strong QQ, WeCom, and multi-model Coding Plan support for China workflows | Hub | |
Volcengine | from ¥9.9 / mo | A strong Feishu-oriented path with cloud and model bundles that are easy to recommend | Hub | |
Hetzner | from €4.51 / mo | Global Linux VPS, full control, and the clearest community-written manual deployment playbook | Guide |
Why deploy beyond your laptop?
Always-on channels
Messaging platforms, dashboard access, and remote device workflows work much better when the gateway stays online after your laptop sleeps.
Cleaner operational boundaries
A dedicated server makes it easier to reason about firewall rules, auth, logs, public exposure, and what machine your agent is actually controlling.
A safer path for shared usage
If multiple people or channels depend on the same gateway, a server or cloud template is much more predictable than a personal workstation.
Sizing Guidance
Minimum Specs
- 1 vCPU
- 1GB RAM minimum, 2GB recommended
- 20GB SSD or NVMe storage
- Ubuntu 22.04 / 24.04 LTS or an equivalent supported Linux image
When Local Models Matter
- 4 or more vCPUs
- 16GB or more RAM
- 100GB or more fast storage
- Optional GPU if you plan to keep larger local models online