Option 1: Self-Host OpenClaw on a VPS
npm install -g openclaw@latest
openclaw onboard --install-daemonAfter install you manage: systemd or PM2 to keep it running, nginx for the dashboard, firewall rules, API key storage, and uptime monitoring. Expect 2–5 hours of maintenance per month.
| Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| DigitalOcean Droplet (2GB RAM) | $18/mo |
| Uptime monitoring & backups | $2–20/mo |
| Your maintenance time | 2–5 hrs/mo |
| Total | ~$20–40/mo + time |
Pros: Full control, cheaper at scale (10+ agents), local LLM support via Ollama.
Cons: Requires Linux / DevOps knowledge, you handle downtime and security incidents.
Option 2: WaliGPT Managed Hosting
WaliGPT is a one-click OpenClaw launcher. Your agent is running on isolated cloud infrastructure in under 2 minutes.
| Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| WaliGPT per agent | $49/mo |
| Maintenance time | 0 hrs |
| Infrastructure & uptime | Included |
| Total | $49/mo, all-in |
Pros: One-click deploy, 99.9% uptime, secure API vault, agent templates, no Linux needed.
Cons: $49/mo per agent, no local LLM support (Ollama).
Which Should You Choose?
Self-host if: you’re comfortable with Linux and DevOps, running 5+ agents, need local LLM support, or have strong privacy requirements.
Use WaliGPT if: you want to be live in 2 minutes, running 1–3 agents, and value your time over the $31/month difference.
If you’re technical with multiple agents, self-host. If you value speed, simplicity, and reliability, WaliGPT is worth every dollar.