Baseten vs Modal
Which Developer Tools AI tool is better in 2026?
Baseten
Deploy and scale AI models in production with the fastest inference infrastructure.
Modal
High-performance AI infrastructure with sub-second cold starts and instant autoscaling.
Side-by-side
Modal leads on both fronts — more capital raised ($1.2B) and a lower entry price than Baseten.
| Metric | Baseten | Modal |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | Deploy and scale AI models in production with the fastest inference infrastructure. | High-performance AI infrastructure with sub-second cold starts and instant autoscaling. |
| Foundedi | 2019🏆 | 2021 |
| HQi | San Francisco, US | New York, US |
| Employeesi | 51-200 | 51-200🏆 |
| Neuron scorei | 66 | 70🏆 |
| Total fundingi | $450M | $1.2B🏆 |
| Latest roundi | Series E · Jan 2026 | series-d · Oct 2026 |
| Valuationi | $5B🏆 | $4.7B |
| Cheapest paid plani | — | Pricing not disclosed🏆 |
| Free plani | ✗ | ✗ |
| Free triali | ✗ | ✗ |
| Top tier pricei | Dedicated Deployments · Contact sales | Pricing not disclosed |
| Pricing summaryi | 3 published plans | Freemium |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Baseten and Modal.
| Capability | Baseten | Modal |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✗ | ✓ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | 1 (Python) | 1 (python) |
| Free plan | ✗ | ✗ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✗ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Baseten
- More mature (2019)
🔵 Strengths of Modal
- Has raised more capital ($1.2B vs $450M)
- Higher Neuron score (70 vs 66)
- Newer company (2021)
Which should you choose?
Choose Modal if price matters most — it starts at Freemium, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both AI Developer Tools tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose Modal if you want the most established option — it has raised $1.2B, suggesting more runway for enterprise features, support, and long-term roadmap. For mission-critical workflows or larger teams, that stability often outweighs a lower monthly price.
Frequently asked questions
Baseten vs Modal — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Baseten is the leaner option; Modal is cheaper to start. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Baseten cheaper than Modal?
No — Modal's cheapest paid plan is Freemium, while Baseten's is Paid.
Do Baseten and Modal offer free plans?
Baseten: Paid only. Modal: Paid only.
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