Why Self-Host OpenClaw?
OpenClaw is open source and free to run on your own hardware. Self-hosting gives you complete control over your AI assistant, your data stays on your machine, and you pay only for the AI model API calls you make.
But self-hosting is not for everyone. This guide helps you decide if it is right for you and walks through the practical details.
Benefits of Self-Hosting OpenClaw
Full Data Control
When you self-host, your conversations never leave your server (except for the API calls to your chosen AI model). No third party stores your messages, files, or configuration. For organizations with strict compliance requirements like GDPR or HIPAA, this level of control can be the deciding factor.
No Monthly Platform Fee
Self-hosted OpenClaw is free. Your costs are:
- Server: $5-30/month for a VPS depending on specs
- AI model API: Pay-per-use. Light usage might cost $5-10/month with Claude or GPT
Compare this to Molty AI at $29/month plus API costs. If you are comfortable managing a server, self-hosting saves money.
Customization
Self-hosting gives you access to OpenClaw's full configuration and source code. You can:
- Modify the codebase for custom behavior
- Install community plugins and skills
- Run custom AI models locally via Ollama (Llama, Mistral, etc.) for zero API cost
- Configure networking, logging, and monitoring to your exact specifications
Run Local Models
Self-hosting unlocks the option to use local AI models through Ollama. This means:
- Zero API costs (model runs on your hardware)
- Complete privacy (no data sent to any external service)
- Faster response times (no network latency to API servers)
The trade-off is that local models require a capable GPU and currently lag behind cloud models like Claude and GPT-4 in quality.
Self-Hosting vs Molty AI: Honest Comparison
| Factor | Self-Hosted OpenClaw | Molty AI (Managed) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $5-30 (server) + API | $29 + API |
| Setup effort | Moderate (install, configure, maintain) | Minimal (sign up, connect) |
| Updates | You apply them manually | Automatic |
| Security | You manage it | Handled by Finna (VM isolation, encryption, Cloudflare Tunnel) |
| Uptime | Depends on your server and monitoring | Managed with redundancy |
| Customization | Full access to source code | Configuration via dashboard |
| Data location | Your server, your jurisdiction | Fly.io data centers (US/EU) |
| Local models | Supported via Ollama | Not available |
| Support | Community (Discord, GitHub) | Direct support from Finna |
Choose self-hosting if: You want maximum control, have ops experience, or need to run local models.
Choose Molty AI if: You want to get started quickly, prefer someone else handling updates and security, or do not want to manage infrastructure.
Server Requirements
Minimum Specs
- RAM: 2 GB (absolute minimum, 4 GB recommended)
- CPU: 1 core (2 cores if using browser automation)
- Storage: 10 GB (more if your assistant manages files)
- OS: Linux (Ubuntu 22.04+, Debian 12+) or macOS
- Node.js: 20 or newer
Recommended VPS Providers
- Hetzner - Best value. CX22 (2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM) at $5/month
- DigitalOcean - Beginner-friendly. $6/month droplet
- Linode - Reliable. $5/month Nanode
- Oracle Cloud - Free tier with ARM instances (up to 24 GB RAM)
Running at Home
You can run OpenClaw on:
- A spare laptop or desktop
- A Mac Mini ($599 one-time, runs indefinitely)
- A Raspberry Pi 5 (limited but works for basic setups)
The main challenge with home hosting is maintaining a reliable internet connection and dealing with dynamic IP addresses. A VPS avoids these issues.
Quick Start: Self-Hosting OpenClaw
Full details in our setup guide. Here is the condensed version:
# Install OpenClaw
npm install -g openclaw
# Initialize (sets up config, AI model, personality)
openclaw init
# Add WhatsApp
openclaw channel add whatsapp
# Scan QR code with your phone
# Start the service
openclaw gateway
For production use, run as a systemd service or use pm2:
pm2 start openclaw -- gateway
pm2 save
pm2 startup
Keeping Self-Hosted OpenClaw Updated
New OpenClaw versions ship frequently. To update:
npm update -g openclaw
openclaw gateway --force
Pin to specific versions in production environments. Test updates on a staging instance before deploying to your main setup. Never run @latest blindly.
Subscribe to the OpenClaw GitHub releases to get notified of new versions.
Security for Self-Hosted OpenClaw
Self-hosting means security is your responsibility. Key considerations:
Network Security
- Run OpenClaw behind a reverse proxy (nginx, Caddy) with HTTPS
- Do not expose OpenClaw ports directly to the internet
- Use a firewall to restrict access to only necessary ports
Credential Management
- Store AI model API keys securely (environment variables, not config files committed to git)
- Rotate keys periodically
- Monitor API usage for unexpected spikes
Updates and Patches
- Keep OpenClaw, Node.js, and your OS updated
- Subscribe to security advisories from the OpenClaw project
- Have a process for applying emergency patches
Tool Permissions
- Review which tools your assistant can use
- Disable file system access if not needed
- Be cautious with browser automation in untrusted environments
- Review community-contributed skills before installing them
For more detail, see our security best practices guide.
When to Switch from Self-Hosting to Molty AI
Common reasons people move to the managed platform:
- Maintenance fatigue: Tired of applying updates, monitoring uptime, and debugging server issues
- Reliability needs: Your assistant is customer-facing and needs guaranteed uptime
- Security concerns: You want VM isolation and managed encryption without doing it yourself
- Team growth: Multiple people need assistants and managing individual servers does not scale
The migration is straightforward. Your configuration and channel connections can be recreated on Molty in minutes. Conversation history stays on the original server.
When to Switch from Molty AI to Self-Hosting
Less common but valid reasons:
- Cost optimization: You want to reduce the $29/month platform fee
- Local models: You want to run Ollama with local models for zero API cost
- Regulatory requirements: Your data must stay on specific infrastructure you control
- Source code changes: You need to modify OpenClaw's behavior at the code level
Getting Started
Ready to self-host? Follow our complete setup guide for step-by-step instructions. Or if you decide managed hosting is the better fit, sign up for Molty AI and skip the infrastructure work entirely.