How much does OpenClaw setup cost?
OpenClaw is free. Setup takes time, expertise, and security care. Here's the full cost breakdown.
The short answer
DIY Self-Install
SetupClaw — Professional Setup
What makes OpenClaw setup complex (and expensive to get right)
OpenClaw itself is free. But running it securely for a business requires several layers that most self-installs skip:
Security hardening
Docker sandboxing, firewall rules, exec allowlists. Every self-install we've audited was missing at least one of these. The default install is not production-ready.
Composio OAuth middleware
Without Composio, your OAuth tokens sit in a plain config file. Composio separates credentials from the agent, adds an audit trail, and gives you instant revoke capability.
Integration configuration
Connecting Gmail, Google Calendar, Slack, HubSpot, WhatsApp and getting them all to work together takes time. Each integration needs OAuth scopes configured correctly.
Workflow setup
Telling OpenClaw what to do — heartbeat cadence, email triage rules, meeting prep triggers, CRM update logic — requires knowing what's possible and how to express it.
Ongoing maintenance
OAuth tokens expire. OpenClaw ships updates. Integrations break. Without someone watching, your agent quietly stops working.
DIY vs. SetupClaw: the true cost
The DIY route looks cheap on paper — $10/month for a VPS. But consider your time:
“I could have set it up myself, but every self-install I've seen has security gaps. The hardening alone was worth it.”
What's included in our setup fee
FAQ — OpenClaw setup cost
Can I set up OpenClaw for free?
Yes — it's open source. You'll need a VPS ($5–10/month) and technical time. The challenge is security hardening, OAuth configuration, and ongoing maintenance. Most teams underestimate how much this costs in engineer time.
Is there a monthly fee for SetupClaw?
No. Our setup fee is one-time. You pay for the VPS directly (~$5–10/month). If you want ongoing monitoring, updates, and support, we offer Managed Care — ask us about pricing on the discovery call.
Do I pay for the VPS separately?
Yes. You pay the hosting provider directly (e.g., Vultr, Hetzner, DigitalOcean). This keeps you in control of your infrastructure. Most customers pay $5–10 AUD/month.
What if I already have OpenClaw installed?
We offer a security audit and hardening service at the same price. Many customers come to us with a working but insecure install — we add Composio, Docker sandboxing, and proper firewall rules.
Is there a money-back guarantee?
Yes — 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you're not happy with the setup, we'll refund you in full, no questions asked.
Free 15-min discovery call. No commitment required.