Author: Denise I Biteye Content Team
“Have you raised your little crayfish?” has become the new greeting when meeting others. From on-site installation at 499, to nearly a thousand people queuing at Tencent Building for guidance, to government policies supporting the industry; “raising crayfish” is enjoyable but has high barriers. The native version’s 30-page deployment document alone can discourage 99% of ordinary users.
Before the Spring Festival, Biteye compiled 6 mainstream global deployment options. 👇
💡OpenClaw Minimal Deployment Collection | Set up in as fast as 1 minute, beginner-friendly tutorial
Recently, major domestic companies and new AI forces have also entered the scene, launching a more suitable “Crayfish Family Pack” tailored to Chinese users. Biteye will continue to evaluate the top 8 popular solutions in China across four dimensions: ease of installation, feature completeness, cost, and security, helping you quickly find the best “crayfish” for yourself!
First Category: Local Operation
Features: Software runs on your own computer. When your computer is on, AI operates; when off, AI goes offline.
Suitable for: Users who prioritize privacy and need AI to directly operate local software.
1. Zhipu AutoClaw (Aolong) - Browser Automation King
Positioning: Produced by Zhipu GLM team, focusing on powerful desktop browser automation.
💻 Ease of installation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Includes lightweight models, very small installation package, ready in 1 minute with automated guidance.
🚀 Feature completeness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Core capabilities include webpage recognition, simulating human clicks, auto-filling forms, data collection, with high execution efficiency.
💰 Cost: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
New users receive free credits/points upon registration (zero-cost onboarding), supporting tiered paid point packages for ongoing use; model costs are based on Coding Plan or API usage, with no additional server costs, offering high cost-performance.
🔒 Security: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Models run locally, data is not transmitted externally, ensuring strong compliance.
2. Tencent QClaw - Local WeChat Remote Control Version
Positioning: Produced by Tencent PC Manager team, a one-click local version that directly controls your computer via WeChat.
Currently in beta testing (limited invitations, requires application for an invite code).
💻 Ease of installation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bind via WeChat scan code, one-click installation package, no environment setup needed.
🚀 Feature completeness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Main advantage is WeChat interface, allowing commands to control file transfers and workflows; downside is it only runs locally, offline when the computer is off.
💰 Cost: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Basic features are completely free, very friendly to domestic network environments.
🔒 Security: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Backed by Tencent, with enterprise-grade protection, data remains local during operation.
3. Cheetah EasyClaw - The Pinnacle of Lightweight Privacy
Positioning: Developed by Fusheng team, an ultra-light local privacy version.
💻 Ease of installation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Double-click to use, supports Win/Mac perfectly, beginners can complete AI setup in 3 minutes.
🚀 Feature completeness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Supports Telegram/Feishu integration, AI continuously records and learns operation habits locally. Slightly fewer skills compared to cloud versions.
💰 Cost: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Software is free, utilizing existing hardware resources, API costs are self-managed as needed.
🔒 Security: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
All files, conversations, and Memory databases are stored on your personal computer, data does not leave your device.
Second Category: Web/Cloud Hosting (SaaS/Web)
Features: Log in via web, no environment setup required. AI runs on vendor cloud, 24/7 uptime.
Suitable for: Users seeking maximum convenience, needing mobile synchronization, and long-term scheduled tasks.
⚠️ Note: These cloud versions’ servers are all within China, unable to access overseas services like Google, Telegram. For cross-border skills or fixed overseas IPs, prioritize local operation or purchase overseas cloud servers.
1. KimiClaw - Simplest Browser Version
Positioning: Built-in OpenClaw hosting on Kimi official site, perfect for beginners.
💻 Ease of installation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
No deployment needed, just one click to activate on Kimi interface, webpage and mobile app sync online.
🚀 Feature completeness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Built-in Kimi K2.5 Thinking model + internet search + Clawhub skill library, supports scheduled tasks and long-term memory.
💰 Cost: ⭐⭐⭐
Currently limited to Allegretto plan and above (monthly 199 yuan / annual 159 yuan).
🔒 Security: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Encrypted storage by major companies, data security better than third-party SaaS.
2. Byte ArkClaw - Cloud 7×24 Online Version
Positioning: Produced by Volcano Engine, a plug-and-play cloud SaaS solution.
💻 Ease of installation: ⭐⭐⭐
Create a dedicated ECS with one click via web, no configuration needed, start chatting in minutes.
🚀 Feature completeness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Online 24/7, deeply integrated with Feishu/DingTalk, supports skill installation, scheduled tasks, persona definition, file transfer, and full-stack capabilities.
💰 Cost: ⭐⭐⭐
Requires subscription to Ark Coding Plan (Lite from 9.9 yuan first month, 7-day trial; Pro from 49.9 yuan/month), no separate token billing.
🔒 Security: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Enterprise-level isolation + dedicated resource hosting, compliant with major standards, data retention for 24 hours after expiration, suitable for commercial use.
3. MiniMax MaxClaw - Lazy User’s Cloud Hosting Choice
Positioning: MiniMax’s fully managed cloud OpenClaw, with excellent usability.
⚠️ Note: Distinguish between domestic and international versions; accounts are not interchangeable. Choose based on whether your business involves external networks.
💻 Ease of installation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Register with phone number, create an instance with one click, completely bypassing Docker errors.
🚀 Feature completeness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
24/7 cloud residency, supports long-term memory, all-in-one toolbox, Cron scheduling, multi-platform IM access, skill marketplace, ideal for automation and content creation.
💰 Cost: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Subscription-based (MiniMax Agent membership from about 39 yuan/month), point packages cover extensive usage, supports coding plans, saving self-build costs.
🔒 Security: ⭐⭐⭐
Cloud container hosting, data stored on MiniMax platform, compliant but recommended for non-sensitive tasks; avoid uploading core secrets.
Third Category: Self-Hosting on Cloud Servers
Features: Rent lightweight cloud servers from major providers. You own a “cloud computer,” maximum freedom but higher operational complexity.
Suitable for: Developers, enterprise users, large-scale “shrimp farming” operations needing batch processing.
1. Tencent Cloud Lighthouse - Lightweight Cloud Server
Positioning: Tencent Cloud official one-click deployment, bringing OpenClaw to lightweight cloud servers.
💻 Ease of installation: ⭐⭐
Select “OpenClaw one-click image” in console, automatic initialization, 3-5 minutes to run, simple verification/start via web terminal.
🚀 Feature completeness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Runs inside Tencent private network, low latency for WeChat/WeChat Work API calls, supports 24-hour monitoring + report delivery directly to WeChat, forming a complete closed-loop ecosystem.
💰 Cost: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Typically 30-60 yuan/month. Compared to SaaS subscription, this “renting a computer” approach is more cost-effective for heavy script runners.
🔒 Security: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sandbox isolation + enterprise-grade protection, AI misoperations limited to cloud, no impact on local data, supports snapshots and backups.
- Alibaba Cloud ECS - Most Stable Cloud Base
Positioning: Alibaba Cloud official one-click deployment, bringing OpenClaw to the most stable cloud platform.
💻 Ease of installation: ⭐⭐⭐
Select OpenClaw image on official site, 5-10 minutes for automatic deployment, detailed documentation and videos.
🚀 Feature completeness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Native integration with Bailian platform (Qwen 3.5 series) + AppFlow connecting DingTalk/enterprise email, leading in Chinese language understanding and token efficiency.
💰 Cost: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
New user special: 68 yuan/year. For heavy users running 24/7, daily cost is just a few cents.
🔒 Security: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Financial-grade protection + official maintained images, supports snapshot rollback, configuration errors can be easily restored to previous state.
Conclusion: The Game of Freedom and Convenience
Overall, cloud versions like KimiClaw and MaxClaw essentially trade freedom for ease of use. While sacrificing deep local control, absolute privacy, and overseas ecosystem flexibility, they offer zero barriers, one-click deployment, and continuous uptime. For beginners or light office users, this is undoubtedly the perfect first step into the world of “raising crayfish.”
However, as your needs evolve to deep local file management or automation with overseas toolchains, cloud limitations become apparent. Many experienced users start with cloud testing and end up mastering independent control.
- Advanced choice: If you prioritize privacy and need 24/7 online presence, self-hosted cloud servers are a balanced “middle way” between efficiency and isolation.
- Ultimate solution: For maximum privacy and content security, completely abandoning the cloud and using idle computers or Mac Minis to build a private “shrimp pool” is the ultimate answer.
💡 Bonus: The editor’s high-cost-performance personal setup
After all this, I’ll share my own “productivity suite” configuration:
Crayfish setup: Tencent Cloud lightweight server (about 30 yuan/month) + MiniMax domestic version Coding Plan (about 260 yuan/year)
Honestly, while the local version is powerful, as a heavy user I never dare to run Docker directly on my main computer. Since OpenClaw has the highest OS permissions, “raising crayfish in a cloud sandbox” is my last security line. Even if AI logic runs amok and deletes files, it only affects the cloud container, not my local data.
The 2026 “Hundred Crayfish War” has just begun. With model iterations and ecosystem explosion, OpenClaw is transforming from a toy into a productivity infrastructure.
“To do good work, first sharpen your claws.” Share your “raising crayfish” experiences in the comments: which is the most stable? which offers the best value? Let’s witness this AI revolution together!
