The cost of “raising AI crayfish” varies widely, ranging from a few yuan to over a thousand yuan per month, depending primarily on your deployment method and usage intensity.
The term “raising AI crayfish” actually refers to deploying and using an open-source AI agent framework called OpenClaw. The framework itself is free, but running it requires hardware and a “brain” (large language model), both of which incur costs.
💰 Cost Breakdown
The cost of “raising lobsters” is mainly divided into two parts:
- Hardware/Server Costs
This is the “body” that runs OpenClaw. You have two options:- On-premises deployment: Run it on your own computer. The cost is 0 yuan (using an existing computer), but the computer must remain on 24 hours a day, adding approximately 10–30 yuan to your monthly electricity bill. If you want a more stable experience, you can purchase dedicated hardware (such as a Mac mini), with a one-time investment of about 4,000–8,000 yuan.
- Cloud Deployment: Rent a cloud server. This is the more mainstream and simpler approach, with monthly rental costs of approximately 25–150 yuan. Some cloud providers offer promotional deals; for example, Alibaba Cloud previously offered a one-click deployment plan for new users at 9.9 yuan for the first month.
- Large Model API Fees (Core Expense)
This is the primary ongoing expense for “raising lobsters,” which can be thought of as the “feed” for the lobsters. OpenClaw needs to call upon large language models such as Tongyi Qianwen and DeepSeek to think and execute tasks; these services are typically billed based on usage (tokens).- Light usage (a few simple queries per day): Approximately 70–210 yuan per month.
- Regular use (automated office tasks, multitasking): Approximately 210–490 RMB per month.
- Heavy use (complex tasks, batch processing): Easily exceeds 700 RMB per month; there are even cases where users spent 1,200 RMB in just 6 hours.
🤔 Is there a more cost-effective way?
Yes. Some vendors have launched pre-packaged solutions that lower the barrier to entry and reduce costs.
- Tencent WorkBuddy: Nicknamed the “Tencent version of Xiaolongxia,” it currently offers a free trial version that can be used immediately after registration, without complex deployment or additional API fees. It also offers a paid Professional Edition (58 yuan/month) and other plans.
- Alibaba Cloud Plans: Through its one-click deployment solution, combined with free large-model quotas for new users (e.g., over 70 million tokens within 90 days), you can keep costs extremely low in the early stages.
📊 Cost Options at a Glance
For a clearer overview, please refer to the table below:
Option Type Hardware/Server Cost Large Model API Fees (Monthly) Features
On-premises deployment 0 RMB (Using an old computer) 70–1,000+ RMB Low barrier to entry, but high power consumption and risks
Cloud Deployment 25–150 RMB/month 70–1,000+ RMB Stable and secure; the mainstream choice
Vendor-Packaged Version 0 RMB (e.g., Tencent WorkBuddy) Starting at 0 RMB (Free version available) Ready to use out of the box, ideal for beginners to try out
⚠️ Special Note: Beware of scams
Recently, there have been many scams under the guise of “AI Lobster Farming.” Please be vigilant:
- “Passive Income” Scams: Any “cloud lobster farming” project claiming “passive income without effort,” “daily dividends,” or “high-price buybacks” is an illegal Ponzi scheme.
- High-Priced Installation Services: OpenClaw is free and open-source, and there are plenty of free tutorials available online. Anyone charging hundreds or even thousands of yuan for “exclusive installation services” or “paid tutorials” is likely exploiting information asymmetry—or may even remotely control your computer to steal your data.
In summary, for ordinary users handling only routine, light-duty tasks, existing free AI tools are sufficient. Whether you should “invest in a high-end solution” depends on whether you have high-frequency, complex, and automatable tasks that require it, and whether you are willing to bear the corresponding costs.