If you own a consumer GPU or a small multi-GPU rig and want to rent it out, your options for individual hosting come down to two main peer-to-peer marketplaces. Both bypass traditional centralized cloud providers, connecting hardware owners directly with AI developers and researchers.
However, they operate on completely different fee structures, payout models, and settlement risks.
This comparison breaks down what hosting on each network actually looks like in 2026 — including real fee math, payout currencies, and which platform puts more money in your pocket.
📊 Quick Verdict: Vast.ai pays in stable USD with zero crypto risk. Clore.ai offers higher nominal list prices but settles in volatile tokens. Most experienced hosts use both.
1. Onboarding and Hardware Setup
Before earning a single dollar, you need to get your machine online. Here’s how Vast.ai and Clore.ai differ at the setup stage.
Vast.ai Onboarding
- Requires a dedicated host account (separate from any renter account).
- You must agree to their terms of service.
- Run the official Linux/Ubuntu daemon.
- Configure router ports correctly (this is where most beginners fail).
- No hand-holding support — troubleshooting happens through the community Discord.
Clore.ai Onboarding
- Caters heavily to individual operators and former crypto miners transitioning to AI compute.
- Supports integration with management environments like HiveOS.
- Straightforward for users already familiar with rig maintenance.
- Lower technical barrier for crypto-native operators.
👉 Verify current onboarding prerequisites on our Host Eligibility Matrix.
2. Platform Fees and Take Rates
Fees determine what lands in your bank account or wallet after a renter leases your hardware. This is where Vast.ai vs Clore.ai diverge most sharply.
Vast.ai Fee Architecture
Vast.ai removed direct host commission fees but operates on a renter-side markup model. When you set your asking price as a host, Vast adds an internal surcharge (averaging roughly 25%) before showing the final price to renters.
The formula: Net Rate = Renter Price ÷ 1.25
Example: If an RTX 4090 lists at $0.51/hr, your take-home rate is roughly $0.41/hr. For a deeper dive into how these fees impact your actual ROI, read our GPU Host Net Earnings Guide.
👉 Adjust this divisor in our Hosting Calculator.
Clore.ai Fee Architecture
Clore.ai operates with transparent base fees deducted at settlement, outlined in the official Clore.ai Host Fee Schedule:
| Fee Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Base Fee (On-Demand) | 5% |
| Base Fee (Spot) | 1.25% |
| Payment Surcharge (BTC/USDT/USDC) | +15% |
Example: On an On-Demand RTX 4090 renting at $0.57/hr:
- Paid in CLORE → you keep 95% ($0.54/hr)
- Paid in USDT without fee locks → your net drops to 80% ($0.46/hr)
3. Payout Currencies: Fiat USD vs Crypto Volatility
This is the dividing line for most home hosts.
| Feature | Vast.ai | Clore.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Payout Medium | Fiat USD (Stripe/Wise/PayPal) | Native CLORE / Bitcoin |
| Price Risk | ✅ Zero (stable purchasing power) | ⚠️ High (token volatility) |
| Idle Background Earnings | ❌ None | ✅ Proof-of-Holding/mining |
| Settlement Speed | Standard fiat rails | On-chain (varies) |
| Tax Reporting | Simple (USD) | Complex (crypto gains) |
Vast.ai Payouts
Vast.ai pays out in reliable US Dollars. Your revenue doesn’t fluctuate based on crypto market swings — what you earn is what you keep. This makes financial modeling and tax reporting dramatically easier.
Clore.ai Payouts
Clore.ai calculates and settles earnings in native tokens. If the price of CLORE drops between the moment your GPU earns it and the moment you liquidate it, your real-world earnings shrink. On the flip side, Clore offers background utility features that can keep rigs productive during dry spells.
4. Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Criteria | Vast.ai | Clore.ai | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup Difficulty | Medium | Easy (HiveOS) | 🏆 Clore.ai |
| Host Fees | ~25% markup | 5% base | 🏆 Clore.ai |
| Payout Stability | USD (stable) | CLORE (volatile) | 🏆 Vast.ai |
| Renter Demand | Deep consumer GPU demand | Niche crypto-AI crossover | 🏆 Vast.ai |
| Idle Earnings | None | Proof-of-Holding | 🏆 Clore.ai |
| Exclusivity | None | None | 🤝 Tie |
| Support | Discord community | Community + docs | 🤝 Tie |
5. Pros and Cons of Each Platform
✅ Vast.ai Pros
- Fiat USD payouts — zero crypto exposure.
- Deep consumer GPU demand.
- Simple tax reporting.
- No exclusivity clause.
❌ Vast.ai Cons
- ~25% effective markup reduces net. (If your local power costs are high, this markup can make hosting unviable. Check our Electricity Cost Ceiling Guide to see if your tariff is too high).
- No idle earnings.
- Community-only support.
✅ Clore.ai Pros
- Lower base fees (5%).
- HiveOS integration.
- Idle background earnings via Proof-of-Holding.
- Higher nominal list prices.
❌ Clore.ai Cons
- Payouts in volatile tokens.
- 15% surcharge for non-CLORE payments.
- Complex tax reporting.
6. Which Platform Should You Choose?
Many experienced hosts choose not to choose. Because neither platform demands exclusive rights, you can:
- Configure your rig to list on whichever market serves the best demand at the moment.
- Test both using median rates from our Market Rates Table.
- Hedge crypto volatility with USD earnings from Vast.ai.
👉 Review our calculation standards and fee breakdowns before committing hardware. If you are operating a commercial datacenter and want to compare this to enterprise-grade platforms, read our TensorDock Hosting Review.
Bottom line: If you want stable USD income, go Vast.ai. If you want higher nominal rates and idle earnings, go Clore.ai. If you want maximum utilization, run both.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vast.ai better than Clore.ai for hosting?
It depends on your preference for payout stability. Vast.ai offers fiat USD payouts and deeper consumer GPU demand. Clore.ai often features higher nominal renter list prices but settles in native tokens subject to crypto market volatility.
Do I need to be a datacenter to host on Vast.ai or Clore.ai?
No. Both platforms permit individual home hosts and small multi-GPU rig operators, provided you run a stable Linux environment and meet network bandwidth requirements.
Can I list my GPU on both platforms simultaneously?
Yes. Neither Vast.ai nor Clore.ai enforces exclusivity agreements for individual providers, allowing you to manage availability across networks.
How much does Vast.ai take from hosts?
Vast.ai uses a renter-side markup of roughly 25% rather than a direct host commission. Your net is approximately Renter Price ÷ 1.25.
How much does Clore.ai take from hosts?
Clore.ai deducts a 5% base fee for On-Demand contracts (1.25% for Spot). An additional 15% surcharge applies if the renter pays in BTC, USDT, or USDC instead of CLORE.
Which platform pays more for an RTX 4090?
On an RTX 4090:
- Vast.ai → ~$0.41/hr net (from $0.51/hr list)
- Clore.ai → ~$0.54/hr net in CLORE (from $0.57/hr list) but subject to token volatility
Is Clore.ai safe for home hosts?
Clore.ai is safe from a technical standpoint, but payouts are in volatile tokens. Consider your risk tolerance for crypto price swings before hosting.
8. Sources & Official Documentation
- Vast.ai Host Earnings Article — marketplace markups and host guidelines (checked 2026-10-09)
- Clore.ai Host Fee Schedule Docs — official fee splits and payment rules (checked 2026-10-09)
- Host Eligibility Matrix — onboarding prerequisites
- Hosting Calculator — net payout estimator
- Market Rates Table — live median rates
- GPU Host Net Earnings Guide — deep dive into fee impact
Written by Alex Rivers (Senior Hardware Infrastructure Analyst) and the GPUEARN Research Team. We collect transparent market pricing daily and never accept payment for placement rankings.
Last updated: October 24, 2026