USAGE-BASED CLOUD GAMING
Pay-as-you-go cloud gaming with no monthly Noland fee
Choose live GPU marketplace hardware through your Vast.ai account, run it when you want to play, and pay the compute rate associated with that instance while it is running.
QUICK ANSWER
What you need to know
Noland has no monthly subscription. Instead, you pay Vast.ai marketplace compute while your selected Linux gaming instance runs; typical overall compute is about $0.10–$0.40 per hour, but current supply and configuration determine the actual rate.
PRICING
What you pay for
The Noland desktop client does not add a monthly subscription. Your usage cost comes from the Vast.ai marketplace instance you choose, and compute continues to be billed while that instance is running.
Typical overall compute falls around $0.10–$0.40 per hour for many practical configurations. It can be lower or higher because GPU model, host configuration, demand, and available inventory change over time; Noland does not guarantee a particular listing or price.
- $0 monthly Noland subscription
- Marketplace rate shown for the hardware you select
- Compute charges accrue while the instance runs
PLANNING
Estimate a session before starting it
A simple planning estimate is the listing's hourly compute rate multiplied by the time you expect the instance to run. Include provisioning and any installation or setup time in your usage plan, not only active gameplay.
Provisioning averages 10–15 minutes, and downloading games can add more time. Stop the instance when you are done, and confirm its state in the service you use for billing rather than assuming closing a stream has ended compute usage.
- Review the selected listing and configuration before provisioning
- Allow time for setup and game downloads
- Verify the instance is stopped after each session
TRADEOFFS
Usage pricing exchanges predictability for choice
A GPU marketplace can offer a broad range of hardware without putting everyone on the same fixed tier. That makes it possible to choose around your workload, but the exact GPU, location, and rate you want may not be available every time.
The best value is not automatically the cheapest listing. Network route, host reliability, GPU capability, and the configuration required by your game all matter, so compare the complete fit rather than optimizing for hourly price alone.
BEFORE YOU CHOOSE
Know the platform and game limitations
Noland provisions a Linux gaming environment. Compatibility varies, especially for games with unsupported anti-cheat, launchers, or Windows-only features, and not every title will run even when the selected GPU is powerful enough.
Performance is also variable. Marketplace hardware, geographic distance, internet routing, local network conditions, and stream settings prevent responsible guarantees about FPS or latency; the measured Noland overhead of about 8 ms sits above natural route latency rather than replacing it.
FAQ
Questions about usage-based cloud gaming
01Is Noland really subscription-free?
Yes. Noland's monthly subscription price is $0. You still pay the Vast.ai marketplace compute charges associated with your selected instance while it runs.
02How much does pay-as-you-go cloud gaming cost per hour?
Typical overall compute is about $0.10–$0.40 per hour, depending on live marketplace supply and configuration. It is not a guaranteed range, and the actual listing you choose may cost less or more.
03Am I charged only while playing a game?
Compute billing is tied to the marketplace instance running, not to whether a game is actively on screen. Provisioning, setup, downloads, and idle time can therefore be part of billed runtime.
04Does closing the stream stop compute billing?
Do not assume it does. Stop the marketplace instance when you are finished and verify its state so that it does not continue running unintentionally.
05Are GPU prices and availability fixed?
No. Vast.ai is a live marketplace, so hardware supply, host location, configuration, and pricing can change. A specific GPU or rate may not be available when you next start a session.
