Choosing the Right VPS for AI Workloads: A Practical Guide

Introduction

Choosing a VPS provider is one of the first decisions when setting up OpenClaw. The good news is that OpenClaw, as a platform that makes API calls to external LLM providers, does not require heavy server resources. But there are important differences between providers in terms of price, network speed, data location, and reliability.

In this article, we compare four popular VPS providers — Europese cloud, DigitalOcean, Contabo, and OVHcloud — specifically for running OpenClaw and AI chatbot workloads. We provide concrete prices, specifications, and pros and cons.

What Does OpenClaw Need from a Server?

OpenClaw runs as a Docker container with a Node.js application and a PostgreSQL database. The minimum server requirement is 2 GB RAM, 1 vCPU, and 20 GB storage. In practice, we recommend 4 GB RAM for a smooth experience, especially if you run multiple bots or your database grows with conversation history.

Bandwidth is rarely a bottleneck — chatbot messages are small. What is important is network latency to the LLM API providers. If your server is in Europe and you make calls to OpenAI servers in the US, that adds 100 to 200 milliseconds to each request. For most chatbot applications, this is acceptable, but it is good to know.

Provider Comparison

Europese cloud CX22 offers 2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM, and 40 GB SSD for 3.29 euros per month. It is the cheapest option with EU data centers and a proven track record. The Europese cloud API is well-documented and makes automation easy. Downside: support is basic compared to premium providers.

DigitalOcean offers comparable specifications starting at $12 per month. The advantage is excellent documentation, reliable uptime, and managed database options if you do not want to manage PostgreSQL yourself. The downside is the higher price and limited EU data center options — Amsterdam is the only European location.

Contabo offers the most resources for the money: 4 vCPU, 8 GB RAM, and 50 GB SSD for 4.99 euros per month. But performance is more inconsistent than Europese cloud and disk I/O speeds are lower. OVHcloud offers a good balance with EU data centers in France and Germany, but the interface is less intuitive than Europese cloud or DigitalOcean.

Our Recommendation

For most OpenClaw users, Europese cloud is the best choice due to the combination of low price, EU data centers, and reliable performance. Start with a CX22 and upgrade to a CX32 when you need more resources. If you already have experience with DigitalOcean and the extra cost is not an issue, it is also an excellent choice.

Contabo is interesting if you want to run local models through Ollama and need a lot of RAM for a small budget. OVHcloud is a solid alternative for businesses that already have a relationship with OVH or specifically prefer French data centers.

Conclusion

Your VPS provider choice directly impacts the cost, performance, and compliance of your OpenClaw installation. For most scenarios, Europese cloud is the recommendation based on value for money. Start small, monitor your usage, and scale when needed. The most important thing is to choose a provider with EU data centers if you serve European customers.