Modal vs Nebius
Which Infrastructure AI tool is better in 2026?
Modal
High-performance AI infrastructure with sub-second cold starts and instant autoscaling.
Nebius
Full-stack AI cloud with large-scale GPU clusters for training and inference
Side-by-side
Nebius is the more established option (raised $700M), but Modal is cheaper to start.
| Metric | Modal | Nebius |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | High-performance AI infrastructure with sub-second cold starts and instant autoscaling. | Full-stack AI cloud with large-scale GPU clusters for training and inference |
| Foundedi | 2021🏆 | 2024 |
| HQi | New York, US | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Employeesi | 51-200🏆 | 1000 |
| Neuron scorei | 60 | 77🏆 |
| Total fundingi | $442M | $700M🏆 |
| Latest roundi | Series C · May 2026 | private_placement · Dec 2024 |
| Valuationi | $4.7B🏆 | — |
| Cheapest paid plani | Pricing not disclosed🏆 | Pricing not disclosed |
| Free plani | ✗ | ✗ |
| Free triali | ✗ | ✓ |
| Top tier pricei | Pricing not disclosed | Pricing not disclosed |
| Pricing summaryi | Freemium | Free trial |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Modal and Nebius.
| Capability | Modal | Nebius |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✗ | ✓ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | 3 (Python, JavaScript, Go) | 4 (Python, REST API, CLI, Terraform) |
| Free plan | ✗ | ✗ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✓ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Modal
- More mature (2021)
🔵 Strengths of Nebius
- Has raised more capital ($700M vs $442M)
- Higher Neuron score (77 vs 60)
- Offers a free trial
- Newer company (2024)
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 Nebius if you want the most established option — it has raised $700M, 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
Modal vs Nebius — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Modal is the leaner option; Nebius has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Modal cheaper than Nebius?
Yes — Modal's cheapest paid plan is Freemium, while Nebius's is Free trial.
Do Modal and Nebius offer free plans?
Modal: Paid only. Nebius: Free trial only.
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