OpenClaw is an open-source AI personal assistant that can connect to various messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack, Signal, iMessage, and Microsoft Teams. It allows users to interact with AI through chat commands, automate tasks, and maintain persistent memory across sessions. Unlike cloud-based AI assistants, OpenClaw is self-hosted, giving users control over their data, execution, and infrastructure. It can be used for various purposes, including managing calendars, browsing the web, running code, and building applications.
OpenClaw was initially launched as Clawdbot in late 2025 and later rebranded. It requires full system access to work effectively, which raises security concerns if installed on a personal computer. Therefore, it is recommended to run OpenClaw on a virtual private server (VPS) to isolate it from personal data and ensure 24/7 availability. Several providers offer VPS hosting specifically for OpenClaw, with prices varying based on the resources provided. For example, Contabo offers OpenClaw VPS plans starting from €4.50 per month, while SSD Nodes offers plans from $17 per month. Hostinger provides VPS plans with OpenClaw from $13.99/mo. Laravel Forge also offers a dedicated OpenClaw VPS. The specific features and integrations depend on the chosen AI models and messaging platforms.