Break-Even
5 articles
Articles
30 September 2026
Self-Hosting vs a Managed API: The Break-Even Volume
The usual comparison divides a GPU hourly rate by theoretical throughput and calls self-hosting cheaper. Priced with utilisation and the full serving stack included, the crossover moves, and a managed dedicated endpoint sits between the two extremes.
11 September 2026
Self-Host vs API: The Token Break-Even for Open Models
If you are applying one self-hosting rule of thumb to every model you run, this guide shows how the crossover moves with model size and where it reverses entirely.
12 August 2026
Batch vs Real-Time Inference Pricing: When the Discount Wins
Major AI providers cut inference costs by 50 percent when teams route requests through asynchronous batch queues instead of real-time endpoints. Slashing spend requires isolating workloads that tolerate 24-hour turnaround times from those requiring interactive responses.
2 June 2026
Agent Inference Cost Optimization: Engineering the 2026 Stack
Agentic workflows multiply token consumption several times over compared to standard chat interfaces. We break down the engineering techniques and infrastructure decisions required to keep LLM inference costs viable at scale in 2026.
20 April 2026
Pay Per Token vs Dedicated GPU Inference: The Break-Even Guide
As hyperscaler credits expire, AI startups face a critical infrastructure fork: continue paying per token or move to dedicated GPUs. This guide breaks down the utilization math, latency trade-offs, and sovereignty requirements for European engineering teams.