Cloud, On-Prem, Desktop, or Hybrid?

AI deployment isn’t one-size-fits-all. Security requirements, data sensitivity, connectivity, and cost constraints all influence where and how you deploy.

Here’s how to choose the right deployment model for your needs.

Deployment Options

Cloud Hosted (Multi-tenant SaaS): We host everything. You use it.

Dedicated Cloud (Single-tenant): Your own instance in our cloud or yours.

On-Premise: Runs in your datacenter. You control everything.

Desktop (Free): Runs on individual machines. BYOK.

Decision Framework

Ask these questions:

Where can your data go?

• Public cloud OK → Cloud hosted
• Must stay in your cloud → Dedicated cloud
• Can’t leave your network → On-premise
• Must stay on device → Desktop

Who needs access?

• Whole organization → Cloud or on-prem
• Single team → Dedicated or on-prem
• Individual → Desktop

What connectivity do you have?

• Always connected → Cloud options work
• Intermittent → Need offline capability
• Air-gapped → On-premise or desktop only

What’s your IT capacity?

• Minimal → Cloud hosted (we manage)
• Moderate → Dedicated cloud (shared management)
• Full → On-premise (you manage)

Cloud Hosted

Best for:

• Teams getting started
• Organizations with cloud-friendly policies
• When speed to value matters

Pros:

• Instant setup
• We handle operations
• Always up to date
• Scales automatically

Cons:

• Data in our cloud
• Less customization
• Shared infrastructure

Dedicated Cloud

Best for:

• Enterprises needing isolation
• Compliance requirements
• Your cloud, our management

Pros:

• Single-tenant isolation
• Your cloud account option
• Managed for you
• More customization

Cons:

• Higher cost
• Longer setup
• Still cloud-based

On-Premise

Best for:

• Regulated industries
• Air-gapped environments
• Maximum control requirements

Pros:

• Complete control
• Data never leaves
• Air-gap capable
• Full customization

Cons:

• You operate it
• Hardware required
• Manual updates
• IT capacity needed

Desktop

Best for:

• Individual developers
• Learning and exploration
• Privacy-sensitive work
• Cost-conscious users

Pros:

• Free
• Complete privacy
• Works offline
• Your API keys

Cons:

• No collaboration
• No governance
• Single user only
• Local resources only

Hybrid Approaches

Many organizations use multiple models:

Dev/Prod split:

• Desktop for development
• Cloud for production

Sensitivity split:

• Cloud for general work
• On-premise for sensitive data

Team split:

• Cloud for business users
• On-premise for regulated teams

Migration Paths

Start where you are, move where you need:

Desktop → Cloud: Same interface, just connect to cloud

Cloud → Dedicated: We migrate your data and config

Dedicated → On-Premise: Same software, different location

Work isn’t lost when deployment needs change.

Cost Considerations

Cloud Hosted:

• Per-user subscription
• API costs included or passed through
• No infrastructure cost

Dedicated Cloud:

• Higher subscription
• Possible cloud infrastructure cost
• Managed operations included

On-Premise:

• License + support
• Your infrastructure cost
• Your operations cost

Desktop:

• Free software
• Your API costs only
• Your hardware

Security by Deployment

Each model has different security characteristics:

The Deployment Checklist

When choosing deployment:

• Where can data reside?
• Who needs access?
• What connectivity exists?
• What IT capacity is available?
• What compliance requirements apply?
• What’s the budget?
• What’s the timeline?

Choose the model that fits your constraints.

Explore deployment options →