Free tool

Cloud GPU vs own hardware — cost calculator.

Tells you the monthly cost of running on the cloud at your usage level, the local-build payback period, and which is cheaper for your actual workload.

1 — How much do you use the GPU?

Hours per month 40

1 hr (occasional) 730 hr (24/7)

2 — What tier do you need?

Cloud price assumes RunPod community or equivalent. Local price includes the GPU + complementary parts (CPU, RAM, motherboard, PSU, case, OS) at 2026 retail.

3 — Results

Cloud monthly cost

$22

40 hr × $0.55/hr

Local one-time cost

$1,800

Hardware total (no electricity)

Break-even (months)

When cumulative cloud cost passes local hardware cost

3-year total cost

$792

Cloud

// verdict

At 40 hr/month, cloud wins comfortably. You'd spend $792 over 3 years on cloud vs $1,800 for the local build. Buy hardware only if you'll exceed about 273 hours/month consistently.

// assumptions

Cloud prices are community-tier (RunPod / Vast.ai). Secure / datacenter tiers are 2–3× higher.
Local prices include GPU plus complete supporting build (CPU, RAM, motherboard, NVMe, PSU, case). 2026 retail; 2nd-hand cards reduce cost ~30%.
Break-even assumes you'd run the same hours regardless of choice. Real life: cloud encourages bursty use; local encourages always-on.
Electricity not included. Adds roughly $5–$25/month to local at typical retail rates for a GPU box.
Cloud datacenter tier (H100) shows rent-only because owning an H100 for retail isn't realistic.