Cloud vs. Self-Hosting OSS
When deciding between Wren AI Cloud and self-hosting the Wren AI Open Source (OSS) version, it's essential to understand the trade-offs and benefits of each option. This guide will help you evaluate which is the best choice for your business by comparing features, costs, and scenarios for each hosting model.
Key Differences Between Wren AI Cloud and Self-Hosting Wren AI
Here’s a (nonexhaustive) table comparing the two options:
| Feature | Self-Hosted OSS | Wren AI Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Backend servers | ~$128+/month | ✅ Included |
| Load balancer | ~$18+/month | ✅ Included |
| Managed database | ~$76+/month | ✅ Included |
| Managed vector database | ~$32+/month | ✅ Included |
| LLM API | Manual setup & Pay-as-you-go | ✅ Included |
| Fine-tuned & optimized AI pipelines | ❌ | ✅ Included |
| Project management tools | ❌ | ✅ Included |
| User management | ❌ | ✅ Included |
| Data control tools | ❌ | ✅ Included |
| Boilerplates | ❌ | ✅ Included |
| Advanced features & personalization | ❌ | ✅ (Timezone, CSV downloads, adjustable results, etc.) |
| Support | Community (Discord) | ✅ Dedicated support portal |
| Setup | Manual setup | ✅ Ready in minutes |
| Upgrades | Manual updates | ✅ Seamless automatic upgrades |
| Multi-zone availability | Manual configuration | ✅ Included |
| Backups | Manual configuration | ✅ Automated backups |
| Monitoring | Manual monitoring tools | ✅ Fully managed monitoring |
| Keep your own fork of the code | ✅ | ❌ |
| SOC 2 Type 2 security auditing | Manual | ✅ Included |
| SSL certificate | Manual setup | ✅ Managed by Wren AI |
Cost Breakdown of Self-Hosting
While self-hosting provides more control, it requires managing and maintaining the infrastructure yourself. Here are approximate monthly costs for a comparable setup:
- Backend Servers: ~$128+
- Load Balancer: ~$18+
- Managed Database: ~$76+
- Managed Vector Database: ~$32+
- AI API Costs: Vary based on usage
These are ballpark estimates. Costs can vary significantly depending on your cloud provider and configuration.
Self-hosting is ideal for organizations with robust engineering teams who can manage infrastructure, updates, and troubleshooting. However, Wren AI Cloud provides a fully managed solution, removing this overhead and allowing teams to focus on their business.
When Should You Self-Host Wren AI OSS?
There are specific scenarios where self-hosting is the better choice:
1. Regulatory or Compliance Needs
If your organization requires:
- Air-gapped environments for strict data privacy or compliance.
- Compliance with specific regulations like HIPAA or similar mandates.
If you’re unsure about needing an air-gapped setup, you likely don’t need one.
2. Custom Builds and Modifications
- You want to maintain a custom fork of Wren AI to add proprietary features.
- You have an engineering team capable of maintaining a customized version, including applying updates and handling compatibility issues.
3. Custom or Community Drivers
- You require a driver not officially supported by Wren AI Cloud. For quality assurance, Wren AI Cloud only supports 1st-party and partner drivers.
Why Choose Wren AI Cloud?
For most users, Wren AI Cloud offers the best value by handling all operational complexity, including:
- Infrastructure Management: Servers, databases, backups, and monitoring are fully managed.
- Ease of Use: Get started in minutes with a ready-to-use solution.
- Security: Built-in SOC 2 Type 2 compliance ensures enterprise-grade security.
- Automatic Upgrades: Stay up-to-date without manual intervention.
- Dedicated Support: Access to a robust support team to resolve issues quickly.
- Advanced Features: Leverage exclusive tools and personalization options.
The Cloud solution allows you to focus entirely on your business goals while leaving the infrastructure to us.
Start with Wren AI Cloud, Move to Self-Hosting Later
If you're unsure which option is right for you, start with Wren AI Cloud. It provides a seamless experience and allows you to evaluate your needs without committing to self-hosting infrastructure from day one.
You can always switch to self-hosting later as your requirements evolve.
Conclusion
Choosing between Wren AI Cloud and self-hosting comes down to your organization's unique needs. If you're looking for a cost-effective, managed solution with advanced features and dedicated support, Wren AI Cloud is the way to go. For those requiring custom builds, specific compliance setups, or complete control over the codebase, self-hosting may be a better fit.
Still unsure? Reach out to our team for guidance on the best setup for your business.