"It's open source, so self-hosting is free" is the most expensive sentence in platform decisions. The license is free. The operating model is not. MonkeyCode is a useful case because it now offers both paths: self-host the open-source project (github.com/chaitin/MonkeyCode, AGPL-3.0), or use the hosted platform at monkeycode-ai.net, which is free to start.
The real cost comparison
Self-hosting shifts cost from a subscription line to a set of hidden lines: infrastructure, model backend, patching, monitoring, on-call, and the ramp time before the team is productive. The hosted SaaS trades those for a service dependency and data-flow decisions.
| Dimension | Hosted SaaS | Self-host |
|---|---|---|
| Time to first value | Minutes | Days to weeks |
| Ongoing ops headcount | ~0 | Real, recurring |
| Control over data path | Lower | Higher |
| Predictable at small scale | Yes | Often no |
| Fit for strict residency rules | No | Yes |
A decision rule, not a vibe
Buy (hosted) when: you lack a platform team, time-to-value dominates, and your data-flow constraints are satisfiable by a hosted service. Build (self-host) when: data residency, model control, or utilization economics at scale justify owning the operations.
The cheapest way to get evidence for either path is to run a real pilot on the hosted platform first — monkeycode-ai.net, free to start — then price the self-host option against what you learned. Before you model spend, ask on the MonkeyCode Discord about current free model-credit availability, eligibility, and limits; treat free capacity as a trial input, not a permanent line item.
Disclosure: I'm a MonkeyCode user sharing my own experience, not affiliated with the project.
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