Three Ways to Run OpenClaw

OpenClaw is open source — you can run it anywhere. The question is how much time you want to spend on infrastructure vs. actually using your AI assistant.

Local Install

Great for trying things out. But your agent stops when your laptop sleeps, can't run scheduled tasks overnight, and you're on your own for updates.

Self-host on a VPS

Full control, 24/7 uptime — but you need Linux experience, Docker knowledge, and ongoing time for security patches, SSL certs, and debugging.

The Easy Way

SnappyClaw Managed

We handle the infrastructure. You get Snappy — a private, always-on AI buddy that's accessible from any device and ready to work in about 30 seconds.

Side-by-Side Comparison

The full breakdown — so you can decide what's right for you.

🖥️ Local
🌐 Self-host VPS
🦞 SnappyClaw
Setup time
4–6 hours
5–6 hours
30 seconds
Technical skill required
Medium (CLI basics)
High (Linux, Docker, networking)
Just an email address
24/7 uptime
(computer must stay on)
(if you maintain it)
(guaranteed)
Automatic updates
Manual pull + restart
Manual SSH + restart
Handled for you
Security & patches
On you
On you (OS, firewall, SSL)
Managed for you
Maintenance effort
Low (but no uptime)
Ongoing (monitoring, backups)
Zero
Cost
Free (your electricity)
$5–20/mo + your time
From $19/mo
Data privacy
Full control
Depends on provider
Isolated private instance
Support
Community forums
Community forums
Priority support (Pro+)

Who is Snappy for?

If any of these sound like you, Snappy is ready to be your buddy.

Developers

Who want OpenClaw running 24/7 without babysitting a server. Focus on building, not babysitting.

Makers & Builders

Who'd rather spend time creating than configuring Docker and Nginx. Skip the yak-shaving.

Families & Non-technical Users

People who want to set up OpenClaw for family or non-technical friends — no CLI required.

Teams

That need multiple isolated instances with shared knowledge — without the ops overhead.

Ready in minutes

Skip the setup. Start building.

Snappy is ready in minutes — always on, always updated, always private.