Hosted OpenClaw VPS works best when the AI key part of setup feels simple.
Right now, the main supported choices are:
- OpenAI
- OpenRouter
- Google Gemini
For most people, the easiest place to start is OpenAI or OpenRouter.
OpenAI
OpenAI is a good default choice if you want the most familiar path.
It is usually the best starting point when you want:
- a straightforward setup
- strong general-purpose quality
- the easiest recommendation path in the dashboard
If you do not want to spend much time comparing providers on day one, OpenAI is a good place to begin.
OpenRouter
OpenRouter is useful if you want more flexibility in one place.
It can be a good fit when you want:
- access to multiple model options from one account
- easier experimentation
- a simple way to compare providers without changing your hosted setup
That is why OpenRouter is one of the most practical hosted choices.
Google Gemini
Google Gemini is also supported.
It is a reasonable option if you already use Google’s models and want to keep everything under that account.
Which One Should You Choose?
The short answer:
- choose OpenAI if you want the cleanest starting point
- choose OpenRouter if you want more flexibility
- choose Google Gemini if you already know you want Google’s models
The important thing is not picking the “perfect” provider on day one.
The important thing is getting one working bot into web chat so you can see real value quickly.
What Is Not In The Hosted Flow
If a provider is not shown in the hosted setup, treat that as intentional.
The hosted flow is meant to keep setup clear and reliable, not make every possible provider choice part of the first-run experience.