Modal vs Paperspace: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Modal and Paperspace 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 0.0/10)
- • Programmable AI infrastructure for inference, training, and batch processing.
- • Offers sub-second cold starts, instant autoscaling, and elastic GPU capacity.
Paperspace
Build, train, and deploy AI/ML models on accelerated cloud GPUs with simplicity and scalability.
Best for you if:
- • Accelerated cloud GPU platform for AI/ML development.
- • Supports full ML lifecycle: develop, train, and deploy models.
| At a Glance |  Modal |  Paperspace |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Hosting & Deployment | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 85/100 | —/100 |
| Feature | Modal | Paperspace |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 85 | — |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Hosting & DeploymentServerless | Hosting & DeploymentAI Model Deployment |
How Modal and Paperspace Compare
Modal
High-performance AI infrastructure for developers to deploy, train, and scale ML workloads.
Free tier available · 85/100 score
Paperspace
Build, train, and deploy AI/ML models on accelerated cloud GPUs with simplicity and scalability.
Free tier available
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Modal
Want the highest-rated option?
Modal scores 85/100. Paperspace 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?
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?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Modal
- Higher score: 85/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Paperspace
The Bottom Line
Modal (85/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Modal or Paperspace better?
Modal scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Modal and Paperspace used for?
Modal: High-performance AI infrastructure for developers to deploy, train, and scale ML workloads.. Paperspace: Build, train, and deploy AI/ML models on accelerated cloud GPUs with simplicity and scalability..
What does Modal cost vs Paperspace?
Modal is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Paperspace is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.