OpenClaw recommends starting local on a spare device — a Mac Mini or Raspberry Pi set to never sleep runs 24/7 with no monthly costs. You get iMessage support, local model support, and your files stay on your hardware (prompts still go to your chosen AI provider). If you'd rather not manage hardware, a VPS from Hetzner ($4/mo) or DigitalOcean ($7/mo) keeps things simple. Most small businesses start local and move to VPS only if they outgrow it.