OSS vs. Cloud vs. Enterprise

When deciding between Wren AI Open Source (OSS), Wren AI Cloud, and self-hosting Wren AI Enterprise, 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 OSS and Commercial Plans

Here’s a (nonexhaustive) table comparing the two options:

Feature	OSS	Wren AI Commercial Plans
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	✅ Included
Fine-tuned & optimized AI pipelines	❌	✅ Included
Project management	❌	✅ Included
User management	❌	✅ Included
Data control	❌	✅ Included
Boilerplates	❌	✅ Included
AI-powered Spreadsheets	❌	✅ Included
Pre-built Metrics	❌	✅ Included
Advanced security	❌	✅ Included
Advanced features	❌	✅ Included
Personalization	❌	✅ (Timezone, CSV downloads, 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

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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 use Wren AI OSS?

There are specific scenarios where self-hosting is the better choice:

1. Personal Use

If you don’t require advanced collaboration and data security features and are using it just for personal use, OSS is the option for you.

2. Proof of Concept in an Enterprise

Wren AI OSS includes all key features publicly, allowing enterprise teams to evaluate functionality and build internal trust before scaling to production.

3. 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.

4. 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:

• Advanced Features: There are many features doesn't include in the OSS version, such as
  • Multiple dashboards
  • Usage management
  • User management
  • Access control
  • Data control
  • AI-powered spreadsheets
  • Boilerplates
  • etc..
• 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.

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 like Wren AI Enterprise edition later as your requirements evolve.

When Should You Self-Host Wren AI Enterprise?

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.

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If you’re unsure about needing an air-gapped setup, you likely don’t need one.

Please contact us to learn more about Wren AI Enterprise.

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.