“Have you raised your crayfish well?” has become a new greeting for everyone. From on-site installation for 499 to nearly a thousand people queuing up for guidance in front of the Tencent Building, and then to local governments introducing support policies; “raising crayfish” is enjoyable, but the threshold is high. The original 30-page deployment document is enough to dissuade 99% of ordinary users. Before the Spring Festival, Biteye had already compiled 6 mainstream global deployment solutions.

In the past two days, major domestic manufacturers and AI newcomers have also entered the arena, launching a “crayfish family bucket” that is more suitable for Chinese users. Biteye will continue to conduct an in-depth horizontal evaluation of the 8 most popular domestic solutions based on four dimensions: ease of installation, completeness of functions, price cost, and security, to help you quickly choose the “shrimp” that suits you best!

I. Local Operation
Features: The software is installed on your own computer. When the computer is turned on, the AI works; when the computer is turned off, the AI goes offline. Suitable for: Users who value privacy extremely and need AI to directly operate local software.

1. Zhipu AutoClaw (Australian Lobster) – Browser Automation King
   Positioning: Produced by the Zhipu GLM team, focusing on ultra-strong browser automation on the desktop.
   💻 Ease of Installation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Comes with a lightweight model, the installation package is extremely small, and you can enter the automation guide after 1 minute of installation.
   🚀 Function Completeness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The core capability is web page recognition, simulating real person clicks, automatic form filling, data collection, and extremely high execution efficiency.
   💰 Price Cost: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ New users receive a certain amount of free credits/points upon registration (0 cost to get started), supports multi-gradient paid points packages for continued use; model fees are based on the Coding Plan or API access and are charged according to usage, no additional server costs, high cost performance.
   🔒 Security: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The model runs locally, data is not transmitted externally, and compliance is extremely strong.

2. Tencent QClaw – Local WeChat Remote Control Version
   Positioning: Produced by the Tencent Computer Manager team, a one-click local version that directly remotely controls the computer via WeChat. Currently in the internal testing stage (limited invitation system, you need to apply for an invitation code to download and install).
   💻 Ease of Installation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Bind with WeChat by scanning the code, the installation package runs with one click, without any environment configuration.
   🚀 Function Completeness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ The core advantage is the WeChat entry, which can control the computer to send files and run processes by sending instructions; the disadvantage is that it can only run locally, and it goes offline when the computer is turned off.
   💰 Price Cost: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Basic functions are completely free, and the domestic network environment is extremely friendly.
   🔒 Security: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tencent’s official endorsement, financial-grade protection, and relatively secure local operation data.

3. Cheetah EasyClaw – The Ceiling of Lightweight Privacy
   Positioning: Produced by the Fu Sheng team, an extremely lightweight local privacy version.
   💻 Ease of Installation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Double-click to use, perfect support for Win/Mac, and novices can also complete AI identity setting in 3 minutes.
   🚀 Function Completeness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Supports Telegram/Feishu integration, and AI will continuously record and learn operating habits locally. The shortcoming is that the skill library is slightly smaller than the cloud version.
   💰 Price Cost: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The software itself is free, using existing hardware resources, and API costs can be prepared as needed.
   🔒 Security: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ All files, conversations, and Memory databases are stored on your personal computer, and data does not leave your home.

II. Web/Cloud Hosting (SaaS/Web)
Features: Log in to the webpage to use, no need to configure the environment. AI runs on the manufacturer’s cloud, and never goes offline 24 hours a day. Suitable for: Users who pursue extreme convenience, need mobile phone synchronization, and execute long-term scheduled tasks.
⚠️ Note: These cloud versions of servers are all in China and cannot access overseas services such as Google and Telegram. If you need to run cross-border Skills or a fixed overseas IP, please give priority to local operation or purchase overseas cloud servers.

1. Moonshot AI KimiClaw – The Simplest Browser Version
   Positioning: OpenClaw hosting built into the Kimi official website, a novice artifact.
   💻 Ease of Installation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Completely free of deployment, one-click activation on the Kimi interface, webpage and mobile App are synchronized online.
   🚀 Function Completeness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Built-in Kimi K2.5 Thinking model + online search + Clawhub skill library, supports scheduled tasks and long-term memory.
   💰 Price Cost: ⭐⭐⭐ Currently only available to Allegretto plan and above premium members (monthly payment of 199.00 元/annual payment of 159.00 元).
   🔒 Security: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Large factory encrypted storage, data security is better than third-party SaaS.

2. ByteDance ArkClaw – Cloud 7×24 Online Version
   Positioning: Produced by Volcano Engine, a zero-configuration, out-of-the-box cloud SaaS solution.
   💻 Ease of Installation: ⭐⭐⭐ One-click creation of an exclusive ECS on the webpage, no configuration required, and you can start a dialogue in a few minutes.
   🚀 Function Completeness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 7×24 cloud is always online, Feishu/DingTalk deep integration, supports skill installation, scheduled tasks, personality definition, file fast transfer and other full-stack capabilities.
   💰 Price Cost: ⭐⭐⭐ You need to subscribe to the Ark Coding Plan (Lite is as low as 9.90 元 for the first month to get a 7-day experience, Pro 49.90 元/month for long-term use), without separate Token billing anxiety.
   🔒 Security: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Enterprise-level isolation + exclusive resource hosting, large factory compliance, data is retained for 24 hours after expiration, suitable for commercial use.

3. MiniMax MaxClaw – Cloud Hosting Preferred by Lazy People
   Positioning: Fully managed cloud OpenClaw launched by MiniMax, with excellent language.
   ⚠️ Note: Distinguish between the domestic version and the international version. The two accounts are not interoperable. You need to choose according to whether the business involves the external network.
   💻 Ease of Installation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Log in with your mobile phone number and create an instance with one click, completely skipping the annoying Docker errors.
   🚀 Function Completeness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 7×24 cloud resident, supports long-term memory, omnipotent toolbox, Cron scheduled tasks, multi-terminal IM access, skill market installation, suitable for automated office and content creation.
   💰 Price Cost: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Subscription system (MiniMax Agent membership is about 39.00 元/month), points packages cover a large amount of use, support coding plan, saving self-built costs.
   🔒 Security: ⭐⭐⭐ Cloud container hosting, data is stored on the MiniMax platform, compliance is good but it is recommended to avoid uploading core secrets for non-extremely sensitive tasks.

III. Cloud Server Self-built
Features: Rent a lightweight cloud server from a large manufacturer. You own a “cloud computer” with the highest degree of freedom but an operational threshold. Suitable for: Developers, enterprise-level heavy users, and “crayfish farmers” who need to run large-scale batch tasks.

1. Tencent Cloud Lighthouse – Lightweight Cloud Server
   Positioning: Tencent Cloud’s official one-click deployment solution, moving OpenClaw to a lightweight cloud server.
   💻 Ease of Installation: ⭐⭐⭐ Select “OpenClaw One-Click Image” in the console to purchase and automatically initialize, run in 3-5 minutes, and get started with simple verification/startup through the Web terminal.
   🚀 Function Completeness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Running on the Tencent intranet, WeChat/QWeChat API call latency is extremely low, supports 24-hour monitoring + report direct push to WeChat, realizing a complete closed-loop ecosystem.
   💰 Price Cost: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Prices are usually between 30.00-60.00 元 per month. Compared with the subscription system of the SaaS web version, this “rent a computer” method is more cost-effective for heavy users who run scripts.
   🔒 Security: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sandbox isolation + Tencent Cloud enterprise-level protection, AI misoperation is limited to the cloud, will not affect local data, and supports snapshot backup.

2. Alibaba Cloud ECS – The Most Stable Cloud Base
   Positioning: Alibaba Cloud’s official one-click deployment solution, moving OpenClaw to the most stable cloud base.
   💻 Ease of Installation: ⭐⭐⭐ Select the OpenClaw application image on the official website with one click to purchase, automatically deploy in 5-10 minutes, the official nanny-level documentation + video tutorial is extremely friendly.
   🚀 Function Completeness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Native integration with the Bailian platform (Qwen 3.5 series) + AppFlow to connect DingTalk/corporate email and other local scenarios, leading in Chinese understanding and Token subsidies.
   💰 Price Cost: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ New users enjoy 68.00 元 per year. For heavy players who need to hang up for 24 hours to run tasks, it only costs a few cents per day.
   🔒 Security: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Financial-grade protection + official maintenance image, supports snapshot one-click rollback, and configuration file errors can be easily restored to yesterday.

Conclusion: The Game Between Freedom and Worry-Free
In general, cloud versions such as KimiClaw and MaxClaw are essentially “exchanging freedom for worry-free”. Although they sacrifice the freedom of deep local control, absolute privacy control, and overseas ecology, they gain the ultimate convenience of zero threshold, one-click deployment, and never going offline. For novice players or light office workers, this is undoubtedly the most perfect first stop for “getting into the pit”.

However, when your needs advance to deeply managing local files or overseas tool chain automation, the limitations of the cloud version will become apparent. This is the inevitable path for many senior players: starting with cloud tasting and ending with independent control.

Advanced Choice: If you have a high pursuit of privacy and need to be online 24 hours a day, building your own cloud server is the “middle way” to balance efficiency and isolation.
The Ultimate Answer: If you are pursuing the ultimate in privacy and content security, then completely abandon the cloud and use your idle computer or Mac Mini to build a local private “shrimp pond” is the ultimate answer.

💡 Bonus: Xiaobian’s “self-reserved” cost-effective solution
After writing so much, I will finally tell you the truth. Considering “both efficiency, security, and cost savings”, the “productivity family bucket” configuration I am currently using is as follows:
Shrimp farming configuration list: Tencent Cloud Lightweight Server (approximately 30.00 元/month) + MiniMax domestic version Coding Plan (approximately 260.00 元/year)
To be honest, although the local version has powerful functions, as a heavy user, I have always been afraid to directly pull up Docker on my main computer. After all, OpenClaw has the highest operating system permissions, and “raising shrimp in the cloud sandbox” is my last security bottom line. Even if the AI logic runs away and accidentally deletes the file, it only affects the cloud container and does not harm a single hair of my local data.

The “Hundred Shrimp War” in 2026 has just begun. With model iteration and ecological explosion, OpenClaw is transforming from a toy into a productivity infrastructure. “If you want to do a good job, you must first sharpen your ‘claws’.” Come and share your “shrimp farming” experience in the comment area: Which one is the most stable? Which one is the king of cost performance? Witness this AI revolution together!

[Denise I Biteye Content Team]