Aquanode vs. RunPod: What's the Real Cost?
RunPod: Cloud GPU marketplace with variable pricing, popular for ML workloads.
Aquanode: Aggregator platform sourcing GPUs from multiple providers for lower prices with more Cloud features.
Both platforms use floating prices. Aquanode pulls GPU capacity from Akash, DataCrunch, Voltage Park, and a few others, so we often land cheaper and handle more of the orchestration. We're still the newer option, so here's the straight-up comparison.
Snapshot of Current Rates
(these move around, but here's a real-world picture)
Aquanode Pricing
| GPU Model | Memory | Price/Hour |
|---|---|---|
| H100 | 80 GB | $1.29/hr |
| H200 | 141 GB | $2.60/hr |
| A100 | 80 GB | $0.90/hr |
| MI300X (AMD) | 192 GB | $1.99/hr |
| RTX 4090 | 24 GB | $0.38/hr |
| RTX 3090 | 24 GB | $0.30/hr |
| A6000 | 48 GB | $0.79/hr |
| RTX 6000 Ada | 48 GB | $1.03/hr |
| T4 | 16 GB | $0.13/hr |
RunPod (typical ranges)
| GPU Model | Memory | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| RTX 4090 | 24 GB | $0.35–$0.80/hr |
| A6000 / Ada | 48 GB | $0.90–$1.60/hr |
| A100 | 80 GB | $1.80–$3.20/hr |
| H100 | 80 GB | $3.50–$5.50/hr |
Why Your Bill Isn't Just "Price × Hours"
Key Considerations:
- Throughput matters: a busy 4090 at $0.50/hr can outpace an idle A100 at $0.90/hr.
- Restarts add up: cold boots and image pulls sneak into the bill.
- Good orchestration cuts waste: fewer moving parts, less idle time.
- Data placement counts: storage and network fees can dwarf GPU savings.
- Predictability is gold: finance teams hate surprise swings.
How Aquanode Handles Pricing
-
Pool supply: We pool supply, which usually means lower median prices and better coverage.
-
Stable pricing: Rates float with upstream markets, but we aim for a steady "envelope," not an auction.
-
High utilization: Our orchestration keeps GPUs hot and utilization high, so real $/token often beats the sticker.
When Each One Makes Sense
RunPod
- Perfect for short jobs where you can hunt for a deal.
- Good if you need a specific SKU or region right now and don't mind marketplace churn.
Aquanode
- Better when you want predictable, competitive pricing.
- Great if you care about total throughput and reliability more than price-sniping.
- One API for multiple providers—no manual stitching.
Quick DIY Test
Performance Comparison Steps:
- Pick two SKUs on each platform.
- Run the same workload for 24 hours.
- Track tokens/sec, restarts, cold starts, and total cost.
- Choose the cheaper stable path, not just the lowest five-minute price.
Bottom Line
RunPod can be crazy cheap on the right day.
Aquanode's pooled supply and tighter orchestration usually win on total cost, stability, and operator time—while we keep proving ourselves as the newer player.
(All prices are snapshots and will shift with demand.)
