One of the most common questions we get is: "After the setup, how much does it actually cost to run?" This guide gives you a straight, honest answer based on real-world usage.
The Short Answer
For most small businesses using OpenClaw as their daily AI assistant, expect to spend $10–55 per month in ongoing costs. That's it.
Where the Costs Come From
1. AI Model API Usage: $5–50/month
This is your main ongoing cost. When you send a message to your AI assistant, it forwards that message to an AI model provider (like Anthropic's Claude or OpenAI's GPT-4) and they charge a small amount per message based on length.
Here's what typical usage looks like:
| Usage Level | Description | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Light | 10–20 messages per day, simple tasks | $5–15 |
| Moderate | 30–50 messages per day, mixed tasks | $15–30 |
| Heavy | 100+ messages per day, complex analysis | $30–50 |
| Power user | Constant use, long documents, code generation | $50–100+ |
Most small business owners fall into the light to moderate range. You're not paying for idle time, only when you actually use the assistant.
2. Electricity: $3–5/month
A Mac Mini running 24/7 uses about 5–15 watts when idle and 30–40 watts under load. That works out to roughly $3–5 per month on a typical Australian electricity plan. Less than a light bulb.
3. Internet: $0 Extra
OpenClaw uses your existing internet connection. The data usage is minimal, just text messages going back and forth. It won't affect your plan or speed in any noticeable way.
How API Pricing Works
AI model providers charge based on "tokens" (roughly 1 token per word). You pay for both the tokens you send (your question) and the tokens you receive (the AI's answer).
Here's a real example with Anthropic Claude (our recommended model):
- You send a 200-word message asking for help drafting an email
- Claude responds with a 400-word drafted email
- Total: ~600 tokens = roughly $0.005 (half a cent)
At that rate, you could send 1,000 messages per month for about $5. Even with longer, more complex conversations, most business users stay well under $50/month.
Cost-Optimisation Strategies
Part of our setup service includes configuring intelligent model routing, which sends simpler tasks to cheaper models and reserving premium models for complex work:
- Simple tasks (quick lookups, formatting, simple questions) → use a smaller, cheaper model
- Standard tasks (email drafting, content creation, summaries) → use Claude Sonnet or GPT-4o
- Complex tasks (deep analysis, strategy, long documents) → use Claude Opus or GPT-4
This routing can reduce your costs by 40–60% compared to using the most expensive model for everything.
Comparison: What Would This Cost Elsewhere?
| Alternative | Monthly Cost | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT Plus | $30 USD (~$46 AUD) | Web access only, generic, no messaging apps |
| Virtual assistant (human) | $1,500–3,000+ | Limited hours, not available 24/7 |
| AI SaaS platform | $50–200+ | Locked ecosystem, limited customisation |
| OpenClaw | $10–55 | Fully customised, private, 24/7, your data |
Are There Any Hidden Costs?
No. Here's what you don't pay for:
- OpenClaw software: free, open-source, forever
- Updates and new features: free
- Monthly subscription to CE Solutions: there isn't one
- Per-seat or per-user fees: use it as much as you want
- Data storage fees: everything is on your own hardware
The only ongoing costs are AI model usage and electricity. That's it.
What If I Need Help After Setup?
Our setup service includes 30 days of direct support at no extra cost. After that, ongoing support is available at $180/hour + GST if you need it. Most clients find they're self-sufficient after the first month.
Bottom Line
Running OpenClaw costs roughly the same as a Netflix subscription. For a private, customised AI assistant that's available 24/7 through your phone, that's exceptional value.
Want to see exactly how OpenClaw would fit into your business? Book a free discovery call and we'll give you a realistic estimate based on your specific use case.