Vultr $5-6/month is the move. Fast setup (under 60 seconds), reliable, hourly billing so you only pay for what you use. It's what most OpenClaw users run on.
What Your AI Bot Actually Needs
Running something like OpenClaw, a Telegram bot, or any AI assistant 24/7 isn't demanding. You're not training models—you're making API calls and keeping a process alive.
Minimum specs that work:
- 1 vCPU — More than enough for a single bot
- 1GB RAM — Node.js/Python bots run fine here
- Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04 — Best compatibility
- SSD storage — Any amount over 10GB is fine
What matters more than raw specs: uptime, network quality, and not getting your account randomly suspended. Budget providers sometimes flag bot traffic as abuse. The ones below don't.
The Recommendations
Vultr
The "just works" option. Used by most OpenClaw users.
- Deploy a server in under a minute
- Web console built-in (no SSH client needed)
- Hourly billing—delete anytime, pay for what you used
- No questions asked about running bots
- Snapshots for easy backups
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Why Vultr?
After testing multiple providers for running AI bots, Vultr consistently wins for a few reasons:
- Hourly billing — Spin up a server, test it, delete it. Pay only for hours used. No commitment.
- 60-second deploys — Other providers take 2-5 minutes. Vultr is ready before you finish your coffee.
- No bot restrictions — Some budget hosts flag automation as "abuse." Vultr doesn't care what you run.
- 32 locations — Pick a datacenter close to you for lower latency.
- Built-in console — SSH directly from your browser. No terminal setup needed.
Bottom line: For $5-6/month, you get a server that just works. No gotchas, no surprise bills, no support tickets asking why you're running a Telegram bot.
What About Other Providers?
DigitalOcean, Linode, Hetzner—they all work. If you already have an account somewhere, use it. Your bot doesn't care which datacenter it lives in.
That said, most people starting fresh should just use Vultr:
- DigitalOcean — Similar quality, but $6/mo minimum and no hourly billing on their cheapest tier
- Linode — Good reputation, nothing wrong with it, just no particular advantage over Vultr
- Hetzner — Cheapest in Europe, but more technical setup and fewer locations
The setup guide on this site uses Vultr because it's the smoothest experience for beginners. One-click deploy, browser console, done.
The Actual Setup
Once you have a VPS, installing OpenClaw takes about 3 minutes:
One-line install: curl -fsSL https://molt.bot/install.sh | bash
The installer handles Node.js, dependencies, and walks you through connecting Telegram/WhatsApp. Full guide: Set Up OpenClaw in 30 Minutes
FAQ
Can I run this on my own computer instead?
Yes, but then it only works when your computer is on and connected. A $5/month VPS runs 24/7, accessible from anywhere. Worth it for something you'll use daily.
What if I need more power later?
All these providers let you resize. Start small, upgrade if you actually need it. Most people never do—a single bot doesn't use much.
Is my data safe on a VPS?
As safe as you make it. The bot runs on YOUR server, not some shared service. Enable the firewall, use SSH keys instead of passwords, and you're fine. OpenClaw's installer configures sensible defaults.
Why not just use a Raspberry Pi?
You can! But: your home IP changes, your ISP might block ports, power outages happen, and you're responsible for everything. VPS is $5/month for someone else to deal with all that.