What is OpenClaw?
OpenClaw is an open-source personal AI agent that you run on your own machine or VPS, using your own API key from an AI model provider. Some hosting companies sell plans called "VPS OpenClaw": they rent you the VPS, and you install, configure and maintain it yourself.
This suits technical users who want full control. If you like to tune every part yourself, it is a sensible choice.
Each May runs on its own VPS in Ho Chi Minh City, so it keeps working after your phone and laptop are off. Only you can message your May.
How May differs: ready-made, chat in Zalo or Telegram
May is the ready-made version for people who just want to use it. You pick a colour, a name and a chat app, and May is ready in about 2 minutes on a Thinkmay VPS in Ho Chi Minh City.
You do not install anything, bring your own API key or update it yourself.
- Ready-made on its own VPS, on 24/7
- Chat in Zalo (one tap) or Telegram (a few taps)
- Asks you before risky steps, you tap Send or Not now
- Only you can talk to it, and it remembers or forgets as you say
- Vietnamese support, paid in VND from one Thinkmay wallet
Comparison: DIY OpenClaw on a VPS vs May
The table puts the two side by side. Neither is right for everyone. It depends on whether you want to build it or use it now.
| DIY OpenClaw on a VPS | May | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Open-source AI agent you operate yourself | Ready-made AI agent operated by Thinkmay |
| Setup | You install and configure it | Pick a colour and a name, ready in about 2 minutes |
| AI model | You bring your own API key | Credits from your Thinkmay wallet, with a daily limit you set |
| Maintenance | You update it and fix problems | Thinkmay runs the agent side |
| Chat app | You connect it following the project docs | Zalo in one tap, Telegram in a few |
| Risky steps | Depends on how you configure it | May asks first: Send or Not now |
| Payment and support | Depends on the host you choose | VND from one Thinkmay wallet, Vietnamese support |
| Suits | Technical users who want full control | Small shop owners, freelancers and individuals who want it now |
Should you choose OpenClaw or May?
Choose OpenClaw if you like to install, tune and maintain things yourself and already have an API key. Choose May if you want an assistant that works straight away and answers in Zalo or Telegram, with no command line.
If you want to build your own agent and just need somewhere to run it, Thinkmay also has VPS. May is not OpenClaw and is not affiliated with the OpenClaw project.