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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11For most people who want OpenClaw’s Gateway available around the clock, choose a VPS. OpenClaw’s documentation recommends a VPS for 24/7 reliability and says a dedicated machine is recommended—not required—for reliability and isolation. A dedicated physical server is not a typical personal setup requirement. Choose an always-on home host instead if you want to manage your own hardware or need direct access to local files and a visible browser.
What “VPS” and “dedicated server” mean for OpenClaw
A VPS is a rented virtual server that you administer remotely. A dedicated server usually means physical hardware allocated to one customer. An always-on computer you own at home is another option, but it is not the same thing as renting a dedicated server. These choices describe where OpenClaw runs; none changes what the Gateway does.
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| Consideration | VPS | Dedicated physical server or owned host |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | OpenClaw identifies always-on operation and stable networking as advantages over running the Gateway on a laptop. | A dedicated machine can avoid sleep-related interruptions, but an owned home computer still depends on your electricity, internet connection, and maintenance. |
| Administration | Remote administration, commonly over SSH; updates and troubleshooting happen remotely. | You are responsible for hardware setup, upkeep, and replacement. OpenClaw does not quantify the workload difference. |
| Local access | Often headless, so file access is remote and browser automation may rely on screenshots rather than a visible browser window. | A local host can access local files directly and show a browser window. |
| Starting resources | OpenClaw’s FAQ gives a minimum of 1 vCPU, 1 GB RAM, and about 500 MB disk, with 1–2 vCPU and 2 GB or more RAM recommended. | OpenClaw says a Raspberry Pi-class device can run the software, but does not provide model-specific benchmarks. |
| Security | Cloud hosting does not secure an exposed Gateway automatically. Binding and authentication still need attention. | Owning the physical device does not remove the need for Gateway access controls or appropriate trust boundaries. |
| Cost | Requires recurring hosting payments; no current provider prices or plan comparison are established here. | Requires hardware plus owner-provided electricity, network access, and maintenance; no cost comparison is established. |
The key distinction is not that one class of server is inherently “for OpenClaw” and the other is not. Both can host a Gateway. Instead, weigh where you want it to run, who will administer it, what local capabilities it needs, and how you will keep it available and appropriately isolated. A server labeled dedicated is not automatically easier to operate, more reliable in your circumstances, or more secure at the application level.
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When a VPS is the better fit
You want the Gateway available while your devices are off
OpenClaw’s official FAQ answers “Should I run the Gateway on my laptop or a VPS?” with: “Want 24/7 reliability? Use a VPS. Want the lowest friction and you are OK with sleep/restarts? Run it locally.” A VPS is therefore the straightforward choice if you expect the Gateway to remain online while your laptop is asleep, away from home, or disconnected.
A VPS reduces dependence on your personal computer’s sleep settings and home network. It does not guarantee uninterrupted service: OpenClaw’s documentation does not provide uptime statistics or promise that any particular VPS will always be reachable. Treat the hosting provider, server configuration, and your own maintenance as parts of the availability decision.
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That distinction matters if you expect to reach the Gateway from a phone or another computer when you are away. The Gateway can stay on the server while your personal devices come and go. You still need a way to connect to it safely, and remote access is not the same as making its interface public. OpenClaw’s documented approach keeps the Gateway on loopback and provides access through an SSH tunnel or Tailscale Serve.
You are comfortable administering a remote Linux server
The VPS setup described in OpenClaw’s Linux server guide puts the Gateway on the server, where it owns the state and workspace. You connect from a laptop or phone through the Control UI or through Tailscale or SSH. Expect remote administration rather than a desktop with an always-visible browser.
The FAQ identifies Ubuntu LTS or a modern Debian/Ubuntu distribution as the best-tested Linux path. That is guidance about the documented path, not a statement that other operating systems are impossible. The Linux server guide lists multiple hosting options and says AWS EC2 and Lightsail also work; those examples are not a ranking or endorsement.
Plan for routine remote work: applying updates, checking service health, maintaining access credentials, and confirming backups. OpenClaw’s documentation does not quantify the time these tasks take, so consider whether you want that responsibility before choosing a cloud server. If you do not regularly use SSH or Linux, the VPS may offer the always-on behavior you want while still having a steeper setup and maintenance curve than running locally.
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You value direct access to local tools and files
A computer in your home can be a better fit when OpenClaw needs access to local files or you prefer to see and interact with a browser window on the host. A VPS is commonly headless; browser automation may require working from screenshots instead of a visible local browser. The choice depends on the enabled tools and where the resources they need are located.
Local operation also avoids a recurring server-rental bill, but it transfers responsibility to you for keeping the host powered, connected, and maintained. Sleep, restarts, internet loss, and updates can interrupt it. OpenClaw does not quantify how often those interruptions occur or compare the total cost of local hosting with VPS hosting.
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Think about the location of the data and tools, too. A Gateway on a remote VPS does not automatically have direct access to files on your home computer. If your intended workflow depends on local files or a visible local browser, a home host—or a Gateway paired with an appropriate local node—may fit better than moving everything to a headless server. Decide based on the capabilities you plan to enable rather than assuming every setup needs the same arrangement.
You specifically want to own and maintain the hardware
OpenClaw says a Raspberry Pi-class box can run the software and that a Mac mini is not required. The documentation does not give model-by-model performance results, so treat those statements as feasibility guidance rather than a guarantee that any particular device will suit every workload.
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A Mac is needed only for macOS-only tools. The Gateway can run on Linux or a VPS and pair with a local Mac node for supported local capabilities. That arrangement can separate the always-on Gateway from a computer needed for a particular local task; it does not mean the Gateway itself must move to a Mac.
Owned hardware can make sense if you already have a suitable, always-on device and are comfortable troubleshooting it. Account for more than the purchase price: the machine needs power and a working network connection, and you are responsible for upkeep and replacement. The OpenClaw documentation does not establish a point at which those costs are lower than renting a VPS, so compare your own expected expenses instead of assuming either option is cheaper.
How much server capacity does OpenClaw need?
OpenClaw’s FAQ lists a baseline for a VPS of 1 vCPU, 1 GB RAM, and approximately 500 MB of disk minimum. It recommends 1–2 vCPU and 2 GB or more RAM for headroom. These are official guidance figures in the living OpenClaw FAQ, accessed in 2026; the page does not state a publication date. They are not independent benchmark results or a universal production sizing guarantee.
| Workload or capacity factor | What the documentation establishes | Practical implication |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Gateway baseline | 1 vCPU, 1 GB RAM, and about 500 MB disk minimum. | Use this as the FAQ’s minimum starting point, not as proof that every collection of tools will fit comfortably. |
| Recommended headroom | 1–2 vCPU and at least 2 GB RAM recommended. | Prefer the recommendation over the minimum if you want room for a broader workload. |
| Browser automation and node tools | OpenClaw warns these can be resource hungry. | Allow for more capacity if they are part of the workload; no exact additional amount is specified. |
| Multiple channels, logs, and media | The FAQ names these as reasons to allow more headroom and recommends 2 GB+ RAM for VMs with multiple channels, browser automation, or media tools. | Do not size solely for an idle Gateway when these features will be active. |
| Pi-class and home-server hardware | Feasibility is stated, but model-specific benchmarks and minimum device specifications are not provided. | Evaluate the actual tools and workload rather than assuming all small devices perform alike. |
OpenClaw does not provide a workload calculator in the cited guidance. If you are uncertain, begin with the recommended rather than minimum memory allowance and monitor your own server as you enable tools, channels, or media handling. That is a sizing precaution, not a claim that a particular configuration has been tested to meet a particular load.
For a basic virtual machine, use the same figures as a starting point: 1 vCPU, 1 GB RAM, and about 500 MB disk minimum, with 2 GB or more RAM recommended. The FAQ specifically calls out multiple channels, browser automation, and media tools as reasons to allow more memory. It does not give a separate sizing formula for each tool or say exactly how many channels a given instance can support. Leave headroom for the activity you expect, and treat actual behavior on your own setup as the best guide to whether you need to resize.
Storage needs can also grow beyond the stated minimum as logs, workspace content, or media accumulate. The FAQ supplies the approximately 500 MB minimum, but not a detailed storage forecast or retention policy. Keep an eye on disk use and make backups of the Gateway’s state and workspace rather than treating the minimum as a long-term storage target.
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Deploy a VPS without exposing the Gateway carelessly
Running the Gateway in a cloud server changes its network location, not its security requirements. OpenClaw’s Linux server guide describes a setup where the Gateway owns its state and workspace on the VPS and you reach it remotely. Keep administration of the server distinct from access to the Gateway itself.
- Choose the host and Linux path. Use Ubuntu LTS or a modern Debian/Ubuntu distribution if you want the best-tested Linux route named in the FAQ. The documentation does not establish a provider ranking or current plan prices.
- Keep remote administration separate. Harden the VPS’s SSH access as its own administrative path. A secure Gateway connection does not replace secure server administration.
- Prefer loopback binding for Gateway access. The Linux server guide recommends keeping the Gateway bound to loopback and connecting through an SSH tunnel or Tailscale Serve. This avoids treating a public network interface as the default place to expose the Gateway.
- Use authentication if you bind beyond loopback. If you bind to a LAN or tailnet, use a shared authentication secret unless a trusted proxy handles authentication. Do not assume the network location alone supplies the required authentication.
- Back up the state and workspace regularly. The Gateway owns both on the VPS. The guide recommends regular backups; the cited guidance does not prescribe a backup interval or retention schedule, so choose one appropriate to how much state you can afford to lose.
- Run the security audit. OpenClaw provides
openclaw security auditto identify security drift. Use it as a check on configuration, not as a substitute for deciding who should have access.
Before settling on a remote setup, decide how you will recover if the VPS is replaced or its data is lost. Because the Gateway owns its state and workspace there, backups should cover the information you need to restore the service, not merely the server’s operating system. The documentation recommends regular backups but does not prescribe a schedule; choose frequency and retention according to how much recent data you can afford to lose.
Understand the host-install and container security difference
OpenClaw’s Security page says a regular host installation binds the Gateway to loopback by default. It also says that unknown direct messages are generally paired rather than processed and that group access is allowlisted. These are useful defaults, but they do not make every deployment safe regardless of configuration.
Container images have a different default: the Security page says they bind to an exposed interface and should be paired with authentication. If you deploy in a container, follow the container exposure guidance rather than assuming the regular host-install default applies. The documentation also recommends the security audit command to find drift.
Neither a VPS nor dedicated physical hardware is automatically secure. The important distinction is how the Gateway is bound, authenticated, and separated from other users and workloads. Buying a server with dedicated hardware does not resolve those application-level decisions.
In practice, check which installation path you are using before relying on a default. A regular host install and a container do not have the same binding behavior according to OpenClaw’s Security page. If the Gateway is reachable beyond loopback, make sure authentication is handled as documented; for LAN or tailnet binding, a shared secret is required unless a trusted proxy handles authentication. Use the audit to spot configuration drift, then verify that the resulting access arrangement matches the people and systems you intend to trust.
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OpenClaw’s Security page states, “One trust boundary per gateway.” A shared Gateway can make sense for a company only when its users are within the same trust boundary and the agent is for business use. The Linux server guide advises against signing that shared runtime into personal accounts or personal browser and password-manager profiles.
If users may be adversarial to one another, do not treat separate chats or access permissions as a sufficient security boundary. The Security page advises separate Gateways and credentials, ideally using separate operating-system users or hosts. This is a reason to plan the deployment boundary before deciding whether one physical machine can serve several people.
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A dedicated physical host does not, by itself, change this rule. If different users do not trust one another, separate their Gateway runtimes and credentials; OpenClaw says separate OS users or hosts are preferable. Conversely, a shared company agent is appropriate only when the users belong to the same trust boundary and the runtime is business-only. Keep personal account sessions and personal browser or password-manager profiles out of a shared business runtime.
A practical decision path
- Choose a VPS if round-the-clock availability is the priority and remote Linux administration is acceptable.
- Choose a home server or other local host if direct local files, a visible browser, or owning the hardware matters more than avoiding interruptions tied to your power and network.
- Use a local Mac node with a Linux or VPS Gateway if the Gateway should remain on Linux but a supported capability requires a Mac.
- Use a dedicated physical server only for a specific reason, such as a deliberate hardware allocation or isolation requirement. OpenClaw does not say one is needed for a normal personal Gateway, and it does not publish a direct VPS-versus-dedicated benchmark.
- Plan for more resources than the minimum if you expect browser automation, node tools, multiple channels, or media use; the official figures are starting guidance, not a workload guarantee.
One quick way to decide is to start with the constraint that matters most. If your Gateway must be available when your home devices are offline, favor a VPS. If it needs to interact with local files or a visible browser, favor a local host or a Gateway-and-node arrangement suited to those capabilities. If you are choosing a dedicated physical server because you assume OpenClaw requires one, the FAQ says it does not. Then check the resource guidance against your planned channels and tools, and choose a secure access and backup plan before exposing any service.
Verdict
For an OpenClaw Gateway that should stay available 24/7, a VPS is the best default. A dedicated physical server is not required by OpenClaw, and buying one does not by itself improve Gateway security. Choose an owned local host when its local access or hardware ownership is worth the added responsibility for power, connectivity, and upkeep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I run the Gateway on my laptop or a VPS?
OpenClaw’s FAQ recommends a VPS when you want 24/7 reliability. Run it locally if you want the lowest friction and are comfortable with sleep, restarts, and possible interruptions. A VPS reduces dependence on your personal device and home network, but does not guarantee uninterrupted service.
How important is it to run OpenClaw on a dedicated machine?
OpenClaw’s FAQ says a dedicated machine is “Not required, but recommended for reliability and isolation.” A VPS, home server, or Raspberry Pi-class device can be used; the documentation does not require a dedicated physical server for a typical personal setup.
What are the minimum VPS requirements and recommended OS?
The OpenClaw FAQ lists 1 vCPU, 1 GB RAM, and about 500 MB of disk as the minimum, with 1–2 vCPU and 2 GB or more RAM recommended. Ubuntu LTS or a modern Debian/Ubuntu distribution is the best-tested Linux path. Browser automation, node tools, multiple channels, and media can need additional headroom.
Can I run OpenClaw in a VM, and what are the requirements?
Yes. OpenClaw’s FAQ gives a VM the same starting guidance: 1 vCPU, 1 GB RAM, and about 500 MB disk minimum, with 2 GB or more RAM recommended. It calls out multiple channels, browser automation, and media tools as reasons to allow more memory; it does not provide a workload-specific calculator.
Does running OpenClaw on a dedicated server make it secure?
No. OpenClaw’s Security page says a regular host install binds to loopback by default, while container images default to an exposed bind and should be paired with authentication. Keep the Gateway on loopback with SSH tunneling or Tailscale access when possible. If binding to LAN or tailnet, use a shared secret unless a trusted proxy handles authentication.
Can one Gateway serve several people?
OpenClaw says one trust boundary belongs with each Gateway. A shared company agent can fit users in the same trust boundary when it is business-only, but users who may be adversarial to one another should have separate Gateways and credentials, ideally on separate OS users or hosts.
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Bottom line: Choose a VPS for an OpenClaw Gateway that should stay available around the clock; OpenClaw does not require a dedicated physical server. Choose a home host when local files, a visible browser, or hardware ownership outweigh the responsibility for power, networking, and maintenance. Whatever the host, size for your tools and channels, back up the Gateway’s state and workspace, and configure access deliberately.
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