Deploying and using OpenClaw involves several visible and invisible expenses, and understanding these costs is crucial for peace of mind.

Most fundamentally, the software itself is free. OpenClaw is an open-source project; the code is publicly available, and anyone can download and use it for free, eliminating any "software purchase fee." However, free things often mean you need to set up the environment to run it yourself.

Hardware costs are the first expense to consider. If you have a spare computer at home, you can use it for local deployment, saving this cost. However, local deployment has a practical problem: OpenClaw requires continuous online access to run tasks stably. Using your main computer not only disrupts daily use but also poses security risks—OpenClaw requires access to the computer, and if there is important data on the computer, the consequences could be severe. Therefore, many users choose to prepare a dedicated device. Some use second-hand mini PCs, costing between 800 and 2000 yuan.

In contrast, cloud servers have become a more mainstream choice. Vendors have launched one-click deployment solutions for OpenClaw. Deploying OpenClaw in the cloud offers the biggest advantage of 24/7 online access, eliminating concerns about local computer security, and the cloud provider has already configured the environment; simply select an image and it's ready to use.

However, the server is just the foundation; the real expense lies in the later stages—model usage fees. OpenClaw itself lacks AI capabilities; it needs to call third-party large language models to understand and execute tasks. Every dialogue and every tool call consumes tokens. This cost is highly variable, entirely dependent on usage frequency and the chosen model.

Currently, there are two main billing methods. One is per token usage, where the more you use, the more you pay. One vendor offers a price of approximately 0.8 yuan per million tokens. This sounds inexpensive, but the actual consumption is significant. In typical use, daily token consumption can range from 500,000 to 2 million, resulting in a monthly cost ranging from 120 to 480 yuan. If a higher-order model, such as Claude Sonnet, is used, the cost is even higher. Some users have reported that running complex tasks with high-order models can result in monthly token costs reaching hundreds of dollars, equivalent to several hundred to several thousand RMB. With a large workload, exceeding a thousand dollars per month is not impossible.

Another recommended approach is to subscribe to a Coding Plan. This is a fixed-fee monthly model where a fixed amount is paid for a certain number of token access permissions; exceeding these limits results in an error but no further charges, effectively preventing uncontrolled costs. For users intending to use OpenClaw long-term, the subscription model is far more cost-effective and hassle-free than pay-as-you-go.

Besides server and model costs, there are other potential costs to consider. For example, plugin extensions: OpenClaw supports installing various skills to enhance functionality, such as browser automation, file management, GitHub interaction, and Tencent Cloud server management. Most plugins are free, but a few advanced plugins may be paid; however, for most users, the free plugins are sufficient. Another example is operational costs; managing your own servers requires attention to maintenance, backups, and security. Choosing a cloud provider's one-click deployment solution means most of the maintenance work is handled by the platform, significantly reducing the time and effort required from the individual.

Another easily overlooked expense is the learning and troubleshooting costs for beginners. Deploying OpenClaw has certain system environment requirements, especially for the Node.js version. Many beginners spend an entire night following tutorials, only to get stuck at the command-line error screen. This anxiety has spurred the development of installation services. Remote installation on domestic platforms starts at tens of yuan, while on-site services generally cost 500 to 1500 yuan. Some overseas websites even quote 3000 to 6000 US dollars. If you can't handle it yourself, this becomes a hidden cost you can't avoid.

In summary, the cost of deploying OpenClaw can be divided into several tiers. The lowest-cost option, using your existing computer and a free local model, is essentially free, but the experience is limited and there are security risks. The average user option involves choosing a cloud server and subscribing to a Coding Plan, with a total monthly cost between 100 and 200 yuan, which is currently the choice of most users. For advanced users seeking high performance and complex tasks, a separate high-spec host might be necessary, along with API fees for advanced models, resulting in a one-time investment of several thousand yuan and ongoing monthly expenses of several hundred yuan or more.

It's important to note the online claims of "high charges after installing OpenClaw." Some vendors have clarified that these charges are actually historical model usage fees and are not directly related to OpenClaw installation promotions. OpenClaw installation itself is free; the costs primarily arise from model usage. Understanding this will prevent unnecessary panic.

Ultimately, "raising lobsters" is a matter of personal preference. If it's just for trying it out, a cloud server costing a few dozen yuan, plus the free tokens for new users, is perfectly adequate. However, if you want it to become a 24/7 online digital employee, carefully calculating the costs of the server and models, and choosing the right billing method, will allow you to enjoy the convenience of AI automation without being overwhelmed by unexpected bills.