Even beginners can have AI employees: A deep dive into OpenClaw's six deployment approaches.

Author: Biteye

Deploying OpenClaw is often a hurdle for beginners. The obscure code on GitHub and the various error messages in the terminal interface deter many people.

To help everyone overcome technical barriers and successfully have their own AI employees, Biteye has summarized six mainstream deployment solutions on the market and conducted a comparative review from four dimensions: ease of installation, completeness of functions, price and cost, and security. Please choose the solution that best suits your budget and your hands-on skills.

Data saving: Comparison of core parameters

Tier 1: Official and managed services (best choice for beginners, anyone can do it)

If you get a headache just looking at code, or don't want to deal with any server maintenance work, this tier of solutions is for you.

1. Sahara Claw App – Mac Desktop Version

Positioning: An "official offspring" installed on a local computer, not a cloud server.

This is Sahara AI's newly released official open-source desktop application. Its emergence is a game-changer for all existing "deployment outsourcing" services. Essentially, it's a client application that runs on your computer, much like WeChat.

Ease of installation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Zero technical skill required: No Docker, no command line needed. Download the installation package -> Double-click to run -> Log in.

• Visual interaction: The official website provides a very clear onboarding interface, supporting one-click connection to communication platforms such as Telegram and Moltbook, and one-click installation of skills.

Functionality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Exclusive Encrypted Data: This is currently the only solution that natively supports Sorin's encrypted data intelligence, enabling direct analysis of real-time cryptocurrency market data.

• Limitations: It cannot be online 24/7 (limited by computer power cycles), and it cannot run other custom scripts like a server.

Price/Cost: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• The software is free: The app itself is free to download and does not require server rental.

🔒 Safety: High

• Official endorsement: Produced by Sahara AI, the code is open source and transparent, and has undergone sandbox security optimization, so there's no need to worry about third-party backdoors being implanted.

Official tutorial: https://clawapp.saharaai.com/

2. SimpleClaw – Fully Managed SaaS Service

Positioning: A third-party "foolproof" managed service where you pay for time.

If you don't want to use up your own computer resources or buy and run your own server, this third-party SaaS platform is tailor-made for you.

Ease of installation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Completely black-box: You don't need to know what SSH is or what a port is. After paying the subscription fee, the platform automatically deploys in the background.

• 1-Minute Deployment: In the time it takes to take a sip of water, you'll have a pre-configured, 24/7 online cloud agent.

Functionality: ⭐⭐⭐

• Sufficient but closed: Provides standard OpenClaw conversational functionality and supports 24/7 cloud connectivity. However, because it's a hosted environment, you don't have server root privileges and cannot extend other functionalities.

Security: ⚠️ Medium (Third-party managed)

• Trust Cost: Since it's a platform operated by a third-party individual or small team, your data privacy and the stability of the agent depend on the service provider's reputation, posing a certain risk of them disappearing or compromising your privacy.

Price and cost: ⭐⭐

Subscription model: Price approximately $10/month (plus top-up fees). Compared to buying your own server, the premium here mainly comes from "human service fees" and "worry-free service fees."

Recommended tutorial: https://x.com/saviomartin7/status/2018437642820731148

Second tier: Self-hosted cloud VPS (a cost-effective and stable option)

If you want your agent to be online 24/7 and prioritize data isolation for security and cost-effectiveness, buying a cloud server from a major provider is the best option.

3. Tencent Cloud Light Server – The God of Direct Network Connection

Ease of installation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Application Template: Tencent Cloud provides an image that integrates the OpenClaw environment, resolving the Node.js dependency installation issue.

• Smooth network connection: Select the "Silicon Valley" node when purchasing, which comes with a pure overseas network environment. You don't need to configure any proxy, and the connection to Telegram/Discord is extremely stable.

Functionality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Full Linux privileges: Independent server root privileges, 24/7 online operation, excellent network environment, and strong scalability.

Price/Cost: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Approximately ¥40/month. This is the preferred option for long-term stable operation, with options to suit different budgets.

Security: High (endorsed by Tencent)

• Backed by major companies: Tencent Cloud infrastructure, independent server resources, and comprehensive security group policies.

Recommended tutorial: https://x.com/starzq/status/2019693762868588782

4. Alibaba Cloud ECS – The King of Chinese Tutorials and Ecosystem

Ease of installation: ⭐⭐⭐

• The most comprehensive tutorials: From purchasing a server to configuring it, the official documentation is detailed down to every single button, and there are even video tutorials.

• ⚠️ Note: You must select a Singapore or US node, otherwise the network search and Telegram functions will not work.

Functionality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Ecosystem Integration: In addition to standard functions, the official tutorials also cover localized office scenarios such as DingTalk integration.

• Model advantages: Perfectly integrated with Alibaba Cloud's "Bai Lian" platform (Tongyi Qianwen Qwen model), with strong Chinese understanding capabilities and low cost.

Price/Cost: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• There are frequent newcomer promotions, starting from as low as ¥99/year.

Security: High (endorsed by Alibaba)

• Backed by major companies: Alibaba Cloud provides official documentation and mirrors, ensuring data security.

Official tutorial: https://help.aliyun.com/zh/simple-application-server/use-cases/quickly-deploy-and-use-openclaw

5. Google Cloud (GCP) – For tech-savvy freeloaders

Ease of installation: ⭐

• No pain, no gain: A clean Linux system requires you to configure firewall rules, manually install the Node.js environment, and handle dependency errors.

Functionality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Maximum freedom: A completely clean environment, suitable for developers to perform in-depth customization.

Price/Cost: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• Using Google Cloud's $300 new user bonus (valid for 90 days), theoretically there is zero cost.

Security: High (Google endorsed)

• Top-tier infrastructure: Google's global infrastructure boasts impeccable physical security.

Recommended tutorial: https://x.com/starzq/status/2019693762868588782

Third tier: Local deployment of idle hardware

6. Command Line Version for Idle Computers – The First Tutorial in the Chinese-Speaking World to Reach Tens of Millions of Views

Positioning: Utilize idle Mac Minis or old computers to create "fully empowered" AI employees.

It's not a pre-packaged software like ClawApp, but a "naked version" that runs directly in the system's core via command line.

Ease of installation: ⭐⭐ (Requires coding knowledge)

• Script installation: Requires running the script command using the terminal and completing the configuration in the command-line interface.

• Waste recycling: Many people's old Mac Minis or old laptops can be used to run this.

Price/Cost: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

• The software is open source and free; you only need to pay for the electricity used by your idle computer.

Functionality: ⚡ OS-level permissions

• Breaking down ecosystem barriers: It can directly access your computer's local file system, operate your local browser, and help you write and execute scripts. It's not just a chatbot, but also a "shadow administrator" of your operating system.

• Extremely high potential: In theory, it can help you automate any local operation.

Safety: High

• Privacy level: High. Data remains entirely local and does not pass through any cloud relay. However, note that the prompt words may be sent to the cloud in an LLM (Local Management System).

• At the operational level: low latency. This is a unique characteristic of this solution. Because it connects directly to the OS via command line, the AI ​​gains system-level read and write permissions. If the model experiences hallucinations or is maliciously misled, it may mistakenly delete local files, read browser caches, or access private keys.

Recommended tutorial: https://x.com/lxfater/status/2015949596544110974

In conclusion: Don't let technological barriers block your path to the future.

In 2026, the social division of labor is being completely reshaped by AI agents.

Whether you're a complete beginner, someone looking for a hassle-free solution, or a tech enthusiast eager to explore the possibilities of AI, there's a deployment plan that perfectly matches your budget and skill level.

Don't let a line or two of code, a few dollars' worth of server fees, or the so-called "technical barrier" become reasons for being left behind by the times.

Your AI employee is ready and waiting for you to activate it!

Risk Warning: This article is for informational purposes only and does not endorse the authenticity, accuracy, or risks of the third-party content cited.