The Raspberry Pi is the most affordable way to run OpenClaw 24/7 at home. A Pi 5 sitting on your desk uses about 5W of power and can keep your AI agent running constantly for pennies a month. Here’s what you need to know.
Recommended: Raspberry Pi 5 (4GB or 8GB)
The Pi 5 is 2-3x faster than the Pi 4 and handles Node.js workloads (which OpenClaw runs on) much better. Get the 4GB model minimum — 8GB is better if your budget allows.
Can You Use Raspberry Pi 4?
Yes, but it’s slower. OpenClaw will run on a Pi 4 with 4GB RAM, but response times will be noticeably slower than a Pi 5, especially for tasks that involve lots of file I/O or simultaneous operations. If you already have a Pi 4, it’s worth trying — if you’re buying new, get the Pi 5.
What You’ll Need
- Raspberry Pi 5 (4GB or 8GB) — Amazon
- MicroSD card (32GB+ Class 10) or NVMe SSD via PCIe hat for better performance
- Official Pi 5 power supply (27W USB-C)
- Case with active cooling recommended
Pi vs VPS: Which Should You Choose?
Choose a Raspberry Pi if you want local control, don’t mind the one-time hardware cost (~$80-120), and have a reliable internet connection at home.
Choose a VPS if you want zero maintenance, guaranteed uptime, and remote access even when your home internet is down. DigitalOcean starts at $6/month with $200 free credit for new users.
Setting Up OpenClaw on Raspberry Pi
Flash Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit) to your SD card, install Node.js 20+, and follow the standard OpenClaw Linux installation. Set it up as a systemd service so it starts automatically on boot and restarts if it crashes.
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