Modal vs Northflank: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Modal and Northflank 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:
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 7.3/10)
- • Programmable AI infrastructure for inference, training, and batch processing.
- • Offers sub-second cold starts, instant autoscaling, and elastic GPU capacity.
Northflank
Deploy any project in seconds, in our cloud or yours, with a comprehensive developer platform.
Best for you if:
- • Deploy and manage applications, databases, and AI workloads across any cloud.
- • Offers comprehensive CI/CD, autoscaling, and observability for a streamlined developer experience.
| At a Glance |  Modal |  Northflank |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Hosting & Deployment | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 85/100 | 73/100 |
| Feature | Modal | Northflank |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 85 | 73 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Hosting & DeploymentServerless | Hosting & DeploymentCI/CD |
How Modal and Northflank Compare
Modal
High-performance AI infrastructure for developers to deploy, train, and scale ML workloads.
Free tier available · 85/100 score
Northflank
Deploy any project in seconds, in our cloud or yours, with a comprehensive developer platform.
Free tier available · 73/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Modal
Want the highest-rated option?
Modal: 85/100. Northflank: 73/100.
Go with: Modal
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Modal
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are hosting & deployment tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Modal scores higher: 85/100 vs 73/100.
Key Takeaways
Modal
- Higher score: 85/100 vs 73
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Northflank
The Bottom Line
Modal (85/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Modal or Northflank better?
Modal scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Modal and Northflank used for?
Modal: High-performance AI infrastructure for developers to deploy, train, and scale ML workloads.. Northflank: Deploy any project in seconds, in our cloud or yours, with a comprehensive developer platform..
What does Modal cost vs Northflank?
Modal is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Northflank is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.