Managed OpenClaw vs
DIY VPS
Running OpenClaw on your own VPS is possible. Here's the honest comparison of what you're actually signing up for.
| DIY VPS | OpenClaw Managed | |
|---|---|---|
| Initial setup time | 2–8 hours (SSH, Docker, Nginx, DNS) | Minutes (we do it) |
| OpenClaw updates | Manual — you notice, you schedule, you test | Automatic — we apply and monitor |
| Backups | You build it (cron, S3, scripts) | Daily automatic, restore on request |
| Security config | Easy to misconfigure port exposure | Safer defaults applied for you |
| Gateway isolation | You manage it | Dedicated per customer, always |
| Ongoing maintenance | Your evenings and weekends | Ours |
| Approval controls | Build from scratch | Included in Team+ plans |
| When something breaks | You debug it | We fix it |
| Dashboard / control center | OpenClaw UI only (raw) | Clean control center included |
| Monthly cost | VPS ($6–40) + your time | From $29/mo all-in |
Who should choose what
Choose DIY VPS if:
- You enjoy infrastructure work and want full control
- You have DevOps expertise in-house
- You need very specific VPS configurations
- You're experimenting and don't need reliability
Choose OpenClaw Managed if:
- You want OpenClaw running reliably without infra work
- Your time is better spent on product or client work
- You need backups, updates, and security handled
- You want approval controls without building them yourself