RAM is one of the most common questions when setting up OpenClaw. The answer depends on how you use it — but here’s a clear breakdown for every scenario.
Minimum RAM Requirements
OpenClaw itself (the Node.js process) uses approximately 200-400MB of RAM at idle. That’s very lean. The minimum to run OpenClaw is technically 512MB, but 1GB gives comfortable headroom.
Practical RAM Recommendations
Basic Use (Cloud AI Models Only)
If you’re using OpenClaw with cloud-based AI models — Claude, GPT-4, Gemini — and not running anything locally, 2GB RAM is plenty. This covers:
- OpenClaw process (~300MB)
- Operating system overhead (~500MB on Linux)
- Headroom for browser automation and file operations
Standard Use (Most People)
4GB RAM is the sweet spot for most OpenClaw users. This gives you room to run OpenClaw, keep several browser tabs open for automation tasks, and handle multiple simultaneous operations without slowdown.
Power Use (Local AI Models)
If you want to run local AI models via Ollama alongside OpenClaw, you need significantly more RAM:
- Llama 3.2 3B model: ~4GB RAM
- Llama 3.1 8B model: ~8GB RAM
- Mistral 7B: ~8GB RAM
- Llama 3.1 70B: ~40GB+ RAM (requires high-end hardware)
For this setup, get at least 16GB RAM so both OpenClaw and the local model have breathing room.
RAM by Platform
- VPS (DigitalOcean/Vultr): $6/month Basic Droplet (2GB) works fine for cloud models. Get $200 free credit →
- Mac Mini: 8GB base model works, 16GB recommended
- Raspberry Pi 5: Get the 4GB or 8GB model
- Windows/Linux PC: Any modern machine with 8GB+ RAM is fine
Bottom Line
For most people using OpenClaw with cloud AI: 2-4GB RAM is all you need. If you want to experiment with running local models: 16GB+. Don’t over-spec your hardware just for OpenClaw — it’s designed to be efficient.
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