Is OpenClaw free?
Short answer: the software is free. Running it isn't. Here's the complete cost breakdown and your cheapest options.
The real cost of OpenClaw
Self-hosting (DIY)
- OpenClaw softwareFree
- VPS server$5-15/month
- AI API key (OpenAI/Anthropic)$20-50/month
- Your setup time2-8 hours
- Ongoing maintenance1-2 hours/month
- Total$25-65/month + time
OpenClawHQ (managed)
- OpenClaw instanceIncluded
- Server hostingIncluded
- AI costs (flat)Included
- Setup30 min (us)
- MaintenanceZero
- Total$49/month
Why OpenClaw isn't actually free
OpenClaw is an open-source AI agent — the code is free and publicly available on GitHub. You can download it, fork it, modify it, and use it without paying anything to the OpenClaw project.
However, running OpenClaw requires two things that cost money:
- 1. A server. OpenClaw needs to run 24/7 to receive messages and respond in real time. Your laptop won't work — you need a cloud server (VPS). Budget $5-15/month for a basic VPS.
- 2. An AI provider API key. OpenClaw is just the interface — it connects to an AI model (OpenAI, Anthropic Claude, or Google Gemini) to actually generate responses. These providers charge per token, typically costing $20-50/month for an active personal assistant.
The cheapest way to run OpenClaw
If you're comfortable with Linux and command lines, self-hosting on a $5/month VPS (Hostinger Lite or Hetzner Cloud CX11) is the cheapest option — around $25-30/month total if you use Google Gemini API (lowest cost per token).
If you're not technical, managed hosting through OpenClawHQ at $49/month is likely cheaper when you factor in the hours spent on setup and maintenance.
Is there a free trial for OpenClaw?
The OpenClaw software has no trial — it's fully open-source and free to use. But "free to use" still requires server + API costs. OpenClawHQ offers a 14-day money-back guarantee on all plans, so you can try managed hosting risk-free.
More questions about OpenClaw pricing
Is OpenClaw free to use?
OpenClaw is free to download and the software itself is open-source (MIT license). However, running OpenClaw requires a dedicated server (typically $10-30/month) and an AI provider API key (variable costs, typically $20-50/month for active use). The total real-world cost to self-host OpenClaw is $30-80/month plus setup time.
Do I need to pay for OpenClaw?
You don't pay for the OpenClaw software itself — it's free and open-source. But you do need to pay for: (1) A server to run it on — typically $5-15/month for a VPS, (2) An AI provider API key (OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google) — typically $20-50/month depending on usage. Alternatively, OpenClawHQ provides fully managed hosting at $49/month flat with no separate AI costs.
Is there a free plan for OpenClaw?
There is no official free hosting plan for OpenClaw. The OpenClaw software is free to download, but you must provide your own server and AI API key. Some cloud providers like Railway offer a small free tier that may run OpenClaw temporarily, but these are unreliable for production use. OpenClawHQ does not offer a free tier but provides a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Is OpenClaw safe?
OpenClaw is generally considered safe to use. It's an open-source project with an active community. However, when self-hosting, security depends entirely on how well your server is configured. OpenClawHQ runs each customer's instance in an isolated environment with regular security updates, which is more secure than most self-hosted setups.
OpenClaw running in 30 minutes — flat $49/month
No server to rent, no AI API key to manage. Everything included.