Cognite vs Modal
Which Infrastructure AI tool is better in 2026?
Cognite
Deploy and scale industrial AI to optimize production, reduce downtime, and increase productivity across your enterprise.
Modal
High-performance AI infrastructure with sub-second cold starts and instant autoscaling.
Side-by-side
| Cognite | Modal | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Deploy and scale industrial AI to optimize production, reduce downtime, and increase productivity across your enterprise. | High-performance AI infrastructure with sub-second cold starts and instant autoscaling. |
| Founded | — | 2021 |
| HQ | Oslo, NO | New York, US |
| Employees | — | 51-200 |
| Total funding | Undisclosed | $111M |
| Latest round | — | series-b |
| Valuation | — | $1.1B |
| Cheapest paid plan | — | Team · $250/mo |
| Free plan | ✗ | ✓ Starter |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✗ |
| Top tier price | Enterprise · Contact sales | Team · $250/mo |
| Pricing summary | 1 published plans | 3 published plans |
| Categories |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Cognite and Modal.
| Capability | Cognite | Modal |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✗ | ✗ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | 2 (Python, JavaScript) | 3 (Python, JavaScript, Go) |
| Free plan | ✗ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✗ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Cognite
- Strong in AI Infrastructure
🔵 Strengths of Modal
- Has raised more capital ($111M vs Undisclosed)
- Higher Neuron score (75 vs 16)
- 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 Infrastructure 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 $111M, 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
Cognite vs Modal — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Cognite is the leaner option; Modal is cheaper to start. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Cognite cheaper than Modal?
No — Modal's cheapest paid plan is Team · $250/mo, while Cognite's is Enterprise · Contact sales.
Do Cognite and Modal offer free plans?
Cognite: Paid only. Modal: Yes, has a free plan.
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