OpenClaw can be run in two main ways: you self-host it, or you use a managed platform that runs it for you. Both use the same OpenClaw runtime; the difference is who handles installation, servers, and maintenance.
Self-hosted OpenClaw
You deploy OpenClaw on your own infrastructure (e.g. a VPS or cloud VM). You install dependencies (often via Docker), configure environment variables, connect your AI provider keys, and wire the agent to your channels. You have full control over where data lives, how the stack is configured, and when to update. The cost is your time and DevOps effort.
Managed OpenClaw (e.g. EasyClaw)
A managed platform runs OpenClaw for you. You sign up, connect Telegram (or another supported channel), and choose your model. There’s no Docker or server setup. The platform handles the runtime, updates, and infrastructure. You get the same agent experience with less operational burden; you trade some control for ease of use.
When to choose which
Choose self-hosted if you need full control, have DevOps capacity, or strict data-location requirements. Choose managed if you want to use OpenClaw quickly, don’t want to manage servers, or prefer to focus on use cases rather than infrastructure. Many users start with managed to validate the agent and consider self-hosting later if their needs change.