Best for privacy & power.
Your own hardware, always on.
Best for getting started cheap.
No hardware needed.
| 🖥️ Mac Mini | ☁️ VPS | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | ~$500 | $0 |
| Monthly cost | ~$50-200 (API) | ~$7 + $50-200 API |
| Privacy | Your hardware | Cloud provider |
| macOS features | Yes | No (Linux) |
| Setup time | ~30 min | ~30 min |
| Best for | Long-term, privacy-focused | Getting started fast & cheap |