If you’re searching for OpenClaw VPS hosting, you’re already past the “AI hype” stage. You want a server that can run OpenClaw 24/7, stay stable, and not turn into a security incident.
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OpenClaw is designed to be the AI that actually does things: inbox, calendar, tasks, automation, all through chat apps you already use.
That’s awesome. It also means your VPS choice matters way more than people think.
This guide is a brutally practical checklist so you can host OpenClaw correctly on a VPS, with the right specs, a sane security posture, and a setup that does not make you regret being ambitious.
1) Specs checklist: what your OpenClaw VPS actually needs 🧠
The short version
OpenClaw can run on small machines, but “runs” and “runs well” are different planets.
- OpenClaw docs describe the Gateway as lightweight (personal use can be in the 512MB to 1GB range) but recommend more headroom depending on what you’re doing.
- Real-world VPS setup guides recommend at least 2GB RAM, and typically 4GB RAM for smoother performance.
My opinionated sizing tiers (so you don’t waste time)
Use this as your baseline when choosing OpenClaw server hosting:
Tier A: Basic (learning + light use)
2GB RAM, 1 to 2 vCPU
Good for experimenting, simple chat interactions, one channel.
Tier B: Recommended (daily use + stable dashboard)
4GB RAM, 2 vCPU
This is the “most people should start here” tier. DigitalOcean’s own guide recommends at least 4GB for running OpenClaw effectively.
Tier C: Serious (multiple channels + heavier workflows)
8GB to 16GB RAM, 2 to 4 vCPU
If you’re running more integrations, logs, automation, or you just want it to feel snappy under load.
Disk and storage
You’re not training models here, but you are storing:
- Docker images and containers if you deploy with Docker
- logs
- memory files and artifacts
A common practical recommendation is 10GB+ disk for Docker images, data, and logs, and more if you expect lots of media and history.
OS and runtime expectations
Most guides assume Linux (Ubuntu is the usual default) and either:
- Docker + Docker Compose
- or a direct install using the CLI onboarding flow
Hostinger’s guide explicitly uses a Linux VPS with Docker and Compose as the baseline path.
2) Security checklist: the stuff that prevents pain 🔒
OpenClaw is powerful because it can connect to channels and run actions. Treat it like infrastructure, not like a toy chatbot.
The number one rule
Do not expose random control ports to the public internet.
OpenClaw’s Control UI and gateway commonly live on port 18789. The official Getting Started doc literally points you to open the dashboard at http://127.0.0.1:18789/ on the gateway host.
That phrasing is a hint: localhost is your friend.
Also, Pulumi’s deployment write-up explicitly warns that default deployments can expose SSH (22), the gateway (18789), and browser control (18791) publicly, which is convenient for testing but not ideal for production.
Your security must-haves (non-negotiable)
- Run the built-in security audit regularly
OpenClaw provides a security audit command and even a deeper mode and auto-fix mode. Run it after config changes, after adding channels, and after you expose anything. - Access the dashboard privately
Best practice options:
- SSH tunnel to port 18789 (simple, reliable)
- VPN access like Tailscale so you don’t open ports publicly
A popular setup guide shows the SSH tunnel pattern that keeps 18789 private while still letting you use the UI locally.
Pulumi also recommends Tailscale to avoid exposing unnecessary ports publicly.
- Use SSH keys, not passwords
If your VPS provider still lets you do password-only logins, that is a trap disguised as convenience. - Firewall default deny
Only allow what you truly need. For most people:
- allow SSH (22) from your IPs only
- keep 18789 private (tunnel or VPN)
- do not expose browser control ports unless you deeply understand the risk
3) Setup checklist: fastest path to a stable OpenClaw VPS ⚙️
OpenClaw’s docs recommend using the CLI onboarding wizard (openclaw onboard) as the sane default path to go from zero to working chat fast.
The “it just works” setup flow (recommended)
- Deploy on a Linux VPS
- Install with the official onboarding flow or Docker-based method
- Start the dashboard (Control UI)
- Lock down access (tunnel or VPN)
- Run security audit
The docs also mention you can run openclaw dashboard and chat in the browser, which is perfect for first-run verification before you connect external channels.
What to do when something feels broken
Two common debugging moves show up repeatedly:
openclaw doctorfor diagnosis and misconfig warnings- confirm the dashboard is reachable on the gateway host at 127.0.0.1:18789
4) Hosting provider checklist: how to pick the right OpenClaw hosting provider 🧩
If you’re comparing an OpenClaw hosting provider, here’s what actually matters:
Reliability and stability
OpenClaw is meant to be always-on. If your VPS is flaky, your agent is flaky. Prioritize:
- good CPU performance consistency
- NVMe storage
- clean networking
- predictable uptime
Real control
You want:
- root access
- full firewall control
- snapshots or backups
- clean redeploys if you break something
Safe remote access options
A good provider should make it easy to do this safely:
- SSH keys
- optional private networking
- VPN-friendly setup (Tailscale works basically everywhere)
Sensible default sizing
If a provider pushes you toward 1GB RAM plans for “AI agent hosting”, that’s marketing cosplay. Even mainstream deployment guides recommend 2GB minimum and 4GB as a practical baseline.
5) The practical recommendation: what I would do (and why) ✅
If you want OpenClaw to feel stable, choose1 rule: start at 4GB RAM, 2 vCPU. That matches mainstream guidance and avoids the most annoying class of failures.
Then:
- keep the dashboard private (SSH tunnel or VPN)
- run the security audit after every major change
- only open ports when you can explain, out loud, why each one is open
That setup is boring. Boring is good. Boring servers make money.
FAQ
What VPS size do I need for OpenClaw?
For real usage, 2GB RAM is the floor most guides suggest, and 4GB RAM is a common recommended starting point for smooth operation.
Is it safe to expose the OpenClaw dashboard port (18789) publicly?
It’s a bad default. Official docs reference accessing the UI on localhost, and infrastructure guides warn that exposing the gateway publicly is convenient for testing but not ideal for production.
How do I access OpenClaw safely from my laptop?
Use an SSH tunnel or a VPN like Tailscale so the UI stays private.
Does OpenClaw have a built-in security check?
Yes, there’s a security audit command, plus deep and fix modes.
