Is OpenClaw Free?
OpenClaw is 100% free and open-source. Learn about OpenClaw pricing, API costs, and hosting options. Compare self-hosting vs managed deployment.
Yes, OpenClaw is completely free and open-source. The software itself costs nothing to use. However, running AI agents requires compute resources and API access to language models, which may have associated costs.
What's Free
OpenClaw software
The CLI, gateway, and all features are 100% free and open-source under MIT license.
Self-hosting
Run OpenClaw on your own computer, server, or VPS at no software cost.
All integrations
WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, Slack connections are all included free.
Community support
Access to documentation, GitHub issues, and community forums.
What Costs Money
AI API usage
You need API access to a language model (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.). These providers charge per token.
Hosting (optional)
If you don't want to run on your local machine, you'll need a server or VPS.
Managed deployment
Services like clawd.new provide 1-click deployment with hosting and credits included.
Cost Comparison
Here's how the costs break down for different deployment options:
Self-hosted (BYOK)
Free software + your own API keys. Pay only for what you use. Best for developers comfortable with DevOps.
VPS + BYOK
$5-20/month for a small VPS + your API costs. Good for 24/7 availability.
clawd.new managed
Starting at $29/month with BYOK or $79/month with $20 AI credits included. Best for non-technical users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OpenClaw free?
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Do I need to pay for API access?
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Is open claw free?
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What's the cheapest way to run OpenClaw?
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Why would I pay for clawd.new if OpenClaw is free?
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Start with $20 free AI credits
clawd.new includes AI API credits so you can get started immediately. No API keys required.
Start Free →