Gradient vs Modal: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Gradient and Modal comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Gradient
Gradient
Best for you if:
- • You need ai coding features specifically
- • You need gradient
- • You need professional-grade features
Modal
High-performance AI infrastructure for developers to deploy, train, and scale ML workloads.
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need hosting & deployment features specifically
- • Programmable AI infrastructure for inference, training, and batch processing.
- • Offers sub-second cold starts, instant autoscaling, and elastic GPU capacity.
| At a Glance |  Gradient |  Modal |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | AI Coding | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | —/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | Gradient | Modal |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | AI CodingHosting & Deployment | Hosting & DeploymentServerless |
How Gradient and Modal Compare
Gradient
Gradient
Paid
Modal
High-performance AI infrastructure for developers to deploy, train, and scale ML workloads.
Free tier available · 85/100 score
Gradient is a ai coding tool. Modal is in hosting & deployment.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Modal has a free tier. Gradient is paid only.
Go with: Modal
Want the highest-rated option?
Modal scores 85/100. Gradient is unrated.
Go with: Modal
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Modal
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Gradient is paid. Modal is freemium. Modal lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Gradient is a ai coding tool. Modal is in hosting & deployment. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Modal
- Higher score: 85/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Gradient
- Better fit for ai coding
The Bottom Line
Modal (85/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gradient or Modal better?
Modal scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Gradient is paid and Modal is freemium.
What are Gradient and Modal used for?
Gradient: Gradient. Modal: High-performance AI infrastructure for developers to deploy, train, and scale ML workloads..
What does Gradient cost vs Modal?
Gradient is a paid tool. Modal is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.