Standard Compute

Best API & Subscription for OpenClaw

To run OpenClaw's always-on jobs cost-efficiently, run standardcompute launch openclaw: Standard Compute's router sends each background task to the cheapest model that can do it (Claude Fable 5.1 or GPT-6 Astra only when it counts), and the tasks draw from a plan from $19 a month with a $20 compute budget until it is spent, then stop instead of billing overage. OpenClaw's jobs consume compute while you are away, so compare providers on routine-call cost and scheduled-task frequency; an always-on process still needs enough allowance for its actual requests.

Guide updated 2026-10-15. Check each provider's current terms below.
Get your API key$0.25 trial for eligible new accounts, no card. Plans from $19/mo.
Light or occasional use
Measure the background loop first. A small usage-based or local model can be cheaper for routine checks; evaluate a coding subscription only if OpenClaw's requests meet its provider requirements.
Daily use, cost-optimized
Standard Compute keeps routine OpenClaw calls on efficient models and saves frontier models for the steps that need them, and for every model we vet providers for price, uptime and speed, with automatic fallback. Opt-in Europe or US Compliance rules apply per key, team or company, and we don't train on your prompts or store them. The monthly plan bounds the bill: schedule and scope background work deliberately, monitor the allowance, and account for requests stopping when it runs out.

API and subscription options for OpenClaw

OptionPriceWhat you get
Standard Compute (us)From $19/moSmart routing sends each request to the cheapest model that can do it, or pin any model by its exact ID. Standard Compute starts at $19/month with a $20 monthly compute budget. Requests stop when that budget is exhausted until renewal or a plan change; there are no automatic overage charges. Requests are not slowed as the budget is used. It is a fixed bill with a finite allowance.
OpenRouterPay-as-you-goChoose models and providers through one API. Usage-based pricing can suit light or bursty work; estimate long agent sessions and review current fees and limits. Source: openrouter.ai
Local model (Ollama / vLLM)Hardware + electricityNo hosted per-token bill, but hardware, context capacity, throughput and maintenance still limit what you can run. Test task quality on your own hardware. Source: docs.ollama.com
OpenCode Go$10 or $40/moNative OpenCode subscription: Go $10 a month, Go Plus $40. Each model has a monthly usage limit in dollars, with 5-hour and weekly windows set as shares of it. Single-member workspaces only. Source: opencode.ai
GLM Coding Plan (Z.ai)See current plansA coding subscription for the GLM model family. Check the current model access, client support and usage limits for the selected tier. Source: docs.z.ai

Prices and allowances can change. OpenCode Go prices were checked against its linked public pages on October 13, 2026, DevPass prices on September 5, 2026; other entries link to current plans without quoting an unverified price. Spot an error? Tell us.

Setup for one model in OpenClaw: DeepSeek · GLM 5.3 · Gemini

Try one task before choosing a plan

  1. Check the API format and model configuration supported by your installed OpenClaw version.
  2. Run a small task on a clean branch and review the result, elapsed time and compute used.
  3. Estimate your actual monthly workload before selecting a larger allowance.
Get your API keyOpenClaw setup guide →Compare compute budgets →

Record your own results with the workload CSV and report template. These are blank templates, not published benchmark results.

Disclosure: this guide is maintained by Standard Compute, one of the options above. Choose based on task quality, supported features and total cost for your workload. Light usage may cost less on a usage-based API; sustained workloads need enough allowance on any subscription.

All flat-rate plans compared →The cheapest-tokens math →Plan compute for your team →