When should I run local instead of cloud?

If sustained monthly usage is high and your model fits local VRAM, local deployment is usually cheaper over time.

When should I burst to cloud?

Use cloud when your target model exceeds local VRAM or when short-term high-throughput capacity is needed.

ROI Calculator

Compare purchase, electricity, maintenance and cloud costs for the same workload.

Local vs cloud: compare total cost for the same workload

Editable example assumptions, not live prices. Use one currency for all amounts. Idle time uses a 730-hour month; resale is credited only at the end of the horizon.

Target model Workload input

Selecting a model does not assume speed, power or price. Enter measurements for that model; exact-configuration benchmarks for these recent models are not yet verified.

Hardware ownership Horizon (months)Local workload hours / monthWhole-system active power (W)Idle power (W; 0 if off)Electricity / kWhLocal maintenance / month (include labor)Purchase cost (new hardware)Expected resale at horizon (new hardware)Cloud price / hourCloud time / local time for the same taskCloud extras / month (storage, transfer, ops)

Cost item	Local	Cloud

Purchase cash payback:

Cash payback divides purchase cost by monthly operating savings, without counting future resale early. Historical purchase cost is excluded for already-owned hardware.

These results reflect your inputs. First confirm model fit and equivalent workload quality and volume.