Should I run the Gateway on my laptop or a VPS

Short answer: if you want 24/7 reliability, use a VPS. If you want the lowest friction and you’re okay with sleep/restarts, run it locally.
Laptop (local Gateway)
Pros: no server cost, direct access to local files, live browser window.
Cons: sleep/network drops = disconnects, OS updates/reboots interrupt, must stay awake.
VPS / cloud
Pros: always‑on, stable network, no laptop sleep issues, easier to keep running.
Cons: often run headless (use screenshots), remote file access only, you must SSH for updates.
OpenClaw-specific note: WhatsApp/Telegram/Slack/Mattermost (plugin)/Discord all work fine from a VPS. The only real trade-off is headless browser vs a visible window. See Browser.
Recommended default: VPS if you had gateway disconnects before. Local is great when you’re actively using the Mac and want local file access or UI automation with a visible browser.