GPU Servers vs AI API Credits: The Real Cost Breakdown (2026)
If you’re building anything with LLMs right now, you’ll hit this question sooner than you expect: Should I rent a GPU and run models myself, or just pay for API credits? At first glance, APIs feel expensive. GPUs feel powerful. But the real answer is more nuanced - and getting it wrong can cost you a lot. Let’s break it down properly. The Core Trade-off This isn’t really about “cheap vs expensive.” It’s about: ...