CoreWeave vs Modal
Which Developer Platforms AI tool is better in 2026?
CoreWeave
The Essential Cloud for AI, purpose-built to power pioneers' most complex workloads with next-generation infrastructure and intelligent tools.
Modal
High-performance AI infrastructure with sub-second cold starts and instant autoscaling.
Side-by-side
| CoreWeave | Modal | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | The Essential Cloud for AI, purpose-built to power pioneers' most complex workloads with next-generation infrastructure and intelligent tools. | High-performance AI infrastructure with sub-second cold starts and instant autoscaling. |
| Founded | 2017 | 2021 |
| HQ | Roseland, US | New York, US |
| Employees | 1000+ | 51-200 |
| Total funding | $21B | $111M |
| Latest round | growth | series-b |
| Valuation | $19B | $1.1B |
| Cheapest paid plan | — | Team · $250/mo |
| Free plan | ✗ | ✓ Starter |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✗ |
| Top tier price | Capacity Plans (Custom) · Contact sales | Team · $250/mo |
| Pricing summary | 6 published plans | 3 published plans |
| Categories |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for CoreWeave and Modal.
| Capability | CoreWeave | Modal |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✗ | ✗ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | — | 3 (Python, JavaScript, Go) |
| Free plan | ✗ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✗ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of CoreWeave
- Has raised more capital ($21B vs $111M)
- More mature (2017)
🔵 Strengths of Modal
- Higher Neuron score (75 vs 45)
- 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 Platforms tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose CoreWeave if you want the most established option — it has raised $21B, 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
CoreWeave vs Modal — which is better?
It depends on your priority. CoreWeave has raised more capital and is the more established option; Modal is cheaper to start. See the side-by-side table above.
Is CoreWeave cheaper than Modal?
No — Modal's cheapest paid plan is Team · $250/mo, while CoreWeave's is Enterprise · Contact sales.
Do CoreWeave and Modal offer free plans?
CoreWeave: Paid only. Modal: Yes, has a free plan.
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