Best Cloud Providers for OpenClaw Bots in 2026
Why Cloud Hosting for Bots?
Running an OpenClaw bot requires a server that's always on. While you can use your laptop for testing, production bots need 24/7 uptime, a stable IP address, and reliable network connectivity.
Cloud hosting gives you all of this for $4-20/month — less than a streaming subscription.
The Top Picks
DigitalOcean — Best for Beginners
DigitalOcean is the easiest cloud platform to get started with. Their UI is clean, documentation is excellent, and pricing is transparent.
Pros:
- Intuitive dashboard
- $200 free credit for new users
- One-click app deployments
- Great community tutorials
Cons:
- Slightly more expensive than Hetzner
- No EU data sovereignty guarantees
Best plan for OpenClaw: $12/month (2GB RAM, 1 vCPU) — runs 1-3 bots comfortably.
Hetzner — Best Value
Hetzner offers the most compute per dollar, especially for European users. Their cloud and dedicated server offerings are hard to beat on price.
Pros:
- Cheapest plans in the market (€3.29/month entry)
- EU-based (GDPR friendly)
- Excellent dedicated server options for scaling
- ARM instances available (even cheaper)
Cons:
- Dashboard less polished than DigitalOcean
- Fewer one-click deployment options
- Support can be slow
Best plan for OpenClaw: CX22 at €5.39/month (4GB RAM, 2 vCPU) — exceptional value.
Vultr — Best Global Coverage
Vultr has data centers in 32 locations worldwide, making it ideal if you need low-latency access from specific regions.
Pros:
- 32 global locations
- Bare metal servers available
- $2.50/month entry plan
- Good API for automation
Cons:
- Smaller community than DigitalOcean
- UI can be confusing for beginners
Best plan for OpenClaw: $6/month (1GB RAM, 1 vCPU) — good for a single bot.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | DigitalOcean | Hetzner | Vultr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Price | $4/mo | €3.29/mo | $2.50/mo |
| Best Value Plan | $12/mo (2GB) | €5.39/mo (4GB) | $6/mo (1GB) |
| Regions | 15 | 5 | 32 |
| Free Credits | $200 | €20 | None |
| Affiliate Program | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| One-Click Deploy | Yes | Limited | Yes |
Our Recommendation
- Just getting started? Go with DigitalOcean. The free credits alone cover months of usage, and the learning curve is minimal.
- On a tight budget? Hetzner gives you 2x the resources for the same price.
- Need global presence? Vultr has the most locations.
All three have affiliate programs — using our links helps support Clawbay at no extra cost to you.