Compare Linux and Windows plans, switch between monthly and yearly billing, and see which setup gives you the fastest path from checkout to a working OpenClaw server.
The server plan is the base. AI usage and billing cycle are the two other decisions that affect what you pay.
Pick Lite, Pro, or Max based on server size and support tier. The base subscription covers the server and ClawCloud operations.
Use your own provider key or add managed AI credits. Managed credits are optional and billed separately from the server plan.
Yearly billing lowers the effective monthly rate, but managed credits still reset monthly even on annual subscriptions.
Lower starting cost with SSH access for terminal-first workflows.
RDP desktop access, GUI setup, browser support, and admin control.
You keep the same ClawCloud flow even when the access method changes.
Questions buyers usually ask before choosing Linux, Windows, monthly, or yearly billing.
Fast answer: Linux starts at $29/mo with SSH access. Windows starts at $49/mo with RDP desktop access. Both support monthly or yearly billing, managed AI credits, and BYOK.
The base subscription covers one dedicated server, one OpenClaw instance, dashboard access, health monitoring, platform access (SSH on Linux or RDP on Windows), and the support tier for that plan. Managed AI credits, Backup Models, and backup depth depend on the plan and add-ons you choose.
No. Add the managed AI credits addon and start immediately — no API key required. If you prefer to use your own key from OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google, you can use bring-your-own-key (BYOK) mode instead.
Yes. No contracts, no cancellation fees. Cancel from your dashboard and your subscription ends at the end of the billing period.
Self-hosting requires provisioning a server, installing Node.js, configuring OpenClaw, setting up SSL, and managing updates — typically 45+ minutes of terminal work. ClawCloud starts at $29/month and does all of that in under a minute. See the full comparison. See comparison →
Choose Linux if you want the lower starting price and prefer SSH or a CLI-first workflow. Choose Windows if you want a desktop environment, RDP access, browser-based setup, or admin control from a familiar GUI.
Linux servers are accessed over SSH. Windows servers are accessed over RDP with the Microsoft Windows App or another RDP client. Windows plans include full desktop access and admin privileges.
Windows plans include a larger default server footprint plus desktop access and Windows licensing. That is why Windows starts at $49/mo while Linux starts at $29/mo.
Yes. Both platforms support monthly or yearly billing, BYOK or managed AI credits, and the same Lite, Pro, and Max plan structure. Credits reset monthly even when you choose yearly billing.
Telegram, Discord, and Feishu are available in ClawCloud's deploy flow today. WhatsApp and Slack are planned, but they are not currently selectable in the deploy wizard.
Yes. Windows plans work from macOS, Windows, and Linux through an RDP client. On Mac, the simplest option is the Microsoft Windows App.
Your bot stops responding on paid models once credits are exhausted. The dashboard shows an exhaustion warning and links to the free-model guide. If Backup Models is enabled, you can switch to a supported free model manually in chat to keep the bot running at lower quality and speed. Credits reset at the start of the next billing cycle, and you can also buy a credit top-up at any time — top-ups carry over and don't expire.
Yes. Credit top-ups are one-time purchases available from your dashboard. Three packs: $6 for $5 of credits, $12 for $10 of credits, and $30 for $25 of credits. Top-up credits carry over until used and never expire — they are not reset on billing renewal. Your monthly included credits are consumed first, then top-ups.
Not as a live in-place toggle on an existing instance. If you want to move between Linux and Windows, deploy a replacement instance on the target platform and migrate your bot setup.
Have more questions? See all FAQs →
Pick Linux if you want the leanest SSH workflow, or Windows if you want a desktop you can reach over RDP. Either way, you keep the same checkout flow, billing options, and OpenClaw setup path.
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