DIY vs Managed Hosting
Set it up yourself or let us handle everything. Free to start, both paths get you a running AI agent.
| Feature | DIY Setup | Managed Hosting |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Cost | $0 | Free to start |
| Time Investment | 1-4 hours | 5 minutes |
| Technical Skill | Required | None |
| Custom Config | You decide | We advise |
| Ongoing Support | Community | Included |
| Additional Bots | Self-managed | $20/month per bot after trial |
DIY Setup
Follow our guides to set up OpenClaw yourself. Great for learning and full control over every configuration decision.
Pros
- +Zero cost
- +Learn the system deeply
- +Full control
- +Community support
Cons
- -Time investment
- -Technical knowledge required
- -Debug issues yourself
Best for:
Technical users who enjoy learning and tinkering
Managed Hosting
We host and manage OpenClaw for you. Your first bot starts with a free 7-day Pro trial, then Pro is $20/month per bot after trial until the bot is destroyed. Running and paused bots both count. You get public web chat right away, Telegram if you want it, and optional private web chat through Tailscale on paid bots.
Pros
- +Free to start
- +Immediate productivity
- +Public or private web access
- +Ongoing support
Cons
- -Paid managed plan after trial
- -Less learning
- -Hosted on our infrastructure
Best for:
Busy professionals who want to get started fast
The Verdict
DIY is perfect if you enjoy technical projects and have time to invest. Managed hosting is free to start and makes sense when you want to skip the setup.
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