Local vs Cloud: Which Is Right for You?
Take our 30-second quiz to find out, or compare side-by-side.
How sensitive is the data your AI agent will access?
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare every aspect of local and cloud deployment.
| Aspect | Local Deployment | Cloud Deployment |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy & Data Control | Data never leaves your network | Data on our servers (we're SOC 2 certified) |
| Security | Air-gapped, physical control | We handle security patches, compliance |
| Reliability | Works offline, you control downtime | 99.9%+ uptime SLA, multi-region redundancy |
| Performance | Dedicated resources, faster response | Shared resources, response times vary |
| Setup Time | 1-2 weeks (hardware + installation) | Instant (minutes) |
| Initial Cost | $2,995-$4,995 one-time | No upfront cost |
| Ongoing Cost | $49-$149/month support | $29-$3,499/month subscription |
| Maintenance | You're responsible (we help) | We handle everything |
| Updates | You control when they happen | Automatic, we handle them |
| Scalability | Limited by your hardware | Unlimited horizontal scaling |
| Customization | Full root access, no limits | Limited by our platform capabilities |
| Compliance | Easier for strict requirements | We maintain certifications |
| Support | Dedicated to your setup | 24/7 monitoring, standard support |
| Long-term Value | Asset ownership, resale value | Always latest tech, no ownership |
Choose Local If...
You can't have your data leave your network
Compliance, privacy, or regulatory requirements
You work with sensitive information
Healthcare, legal, finance, confidential data
You work in areas with unreliable internet
Remote locations, travel, field work
You want faster response times
Dedicated hardware, no shared resources
You want predictable costs
One-time setup + low monthly support
You're technical and want full control
Root access, custom OS, network config
Choose Cloud If...
You want to start today
No hardware, instant setup
You don't want to deal with hardware
We manage everything for you
You need global availability
Multi-region CDN, 99.9% uptime
You want to scale easily
Automatic scaling, no limits
You want the latest features automatically
We handle updates, no maintenance
You prefer predictable monthly expenses
No upfront costs, cancel anytime
Local Deployment
✅ Advantages
- • Complete privacy and data control
- • Works offline, no internet required
- • One-time setup, low monthly costs
- • Dedicated performance (no sharing)
- • You own the hardware (asset value)
- • Easier compliance (audit trail on your hardware)
- • Full customization (root access)
- • No vendor lock-in
❌ Disadvantages
- • Higher upfront cost ($2,995-$4,995)
- • You're responsible for hardware maintenance
- • Limited by your hardware (can't scale beyond specs)
- • Slower for global users (no CDN)
- • Requires technical knowledge for advanced customizations
- • Hardware becomes obsolete eventually
Cloud Deployment
✅ Advantages
- • Instant setup (up and running in minutes)
- • No hardware to manage
- • We handle updates, security, scaling
- • 99.9%+ uptime SLA, multi-region redundancy
- • Unlimited horizontal scaling
- • Always on latest technology
- • No upfront costs, monthly subscription
- • Global CDN for fast performance worldwide
❌ Disadvantages
- • Data on our servers (trust required)
- • Ongoing monthly costs add up over time
- • You don't own anything (no asset value)
- • Vendor lock-in (harder to migrate)
- • Requires internet connection
- • Our outages become your outages
- • Limited customization (platform constraints)
Common Questions
Can I switch from local to cloud later?
Yes. We can help you migrate your agent between local and cloud deployments. The migration involves exporting your configuration, data, and settings, then reimporting on the new platform. Migration fees apply based on complexity.
What if I can't decide?
Start with cloud deployment. It's faster to set up, and you can always migrate to local later. This way you can see the value first before making a larger investment. We'll credit your cloud payments toward local setup if you switch within 6 months.
Is local deployment really private?
Yes. Your agent runs entirely on your hardware, on your network. The only external connection is for initial setup and optional support. We can even set it up to be completely air-gapped if needed. Your data never touches our servers.
How do I know if I have compatible hardware?
Minimum requirements: 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD, 4+ CPU cores, macOS 12+ or Ubuntu 22.04+. Recommended: 32GB RAM, 512GB SSD, 8+ cores. Common compatible devices: Mac mini 2018+, Intel NUC, Raspberry Pi 5 (limited). We can assess your hardware during the consultation.
What if I outgrow my local hardware?
You have options: upgrade your existing hardware (more RAM, bigger SSD), add more devices for multi-agent setups, or migrate to cloud for unlimited scaling. We'll help you plan for growth from the start.
Still Undecided?
Book a demo with our team. We'll help you choose the right option for your needs.