Describe your API habit
Use monthly token volume, expected growth, and the share you can realistically move local.
Buy or rent decisionBuy compute
Buy compute
or rent tokens?
Describe the API bill first. The calculator checks model fit on the largest single device and whether the full setup pays back within 36 months.
Build your API basket
Live OpenRouter prices replace the dated fallback snapshot when available.
Build your hardware setup
Use a Mac, NVIDIA card, Strix Halo system, DGX Spark / GB10 system, or a mixed fleet. Purchase and electricity costs are combined.
Estimate electricity cost
Enter hardware runtime by day, month, or year, then use a flat or peak and off-peak tariff.
API basket
BUYUpfront hardware purchase
VSbreak-even
RENTCurrent API basketper month
Year 1Local strategy vs cloud
Year 2Local strategy vs cloud
Year 3Local strategy vs cloud