Modal
Small (~110)
Vast AI
Small (~30)
Best For
Modal
Best for: Systems engineers who want to build developer-loved cloud infrastructure with elite teammates
Vast AI
Best for: Scrappy generalists who want a front-row seat to the AI compute revolution
Ratings
ModalVast AI
4.0
5.0
Overall
3.8
4.5
Work-Life Balance
4.2
5.0
Culture & Values
3.8
5.0
Comp & Benefits
4.0
5.0
Senior Mgmt
3.5
5.0
Career Opps
👍 82% Recommend
👤 88% CEO Approval (Erik Bernhardsson)
👍 100% Recommend
👤 100% CEO Approval (Jake Cannell)
Culture Values
Modal only
🎧 Deep Work / Low Meetings🔓 Open Source Culture🎯 Direct Product Impact
Vast AI only
🤝 Flat Hierarchy💎 Strong Comp & Equity
Shared
⚙️ Engineering-Driven🚀 Ship Fast & Iterate🧩 Wears Many Hats
Pros & Cons
Modal
- World-class engineering team — includes creators of Luigi, Seaborn, and olympiad medalists
- High-impact product with 50x revenue growth — developers widely praise the platform
- Early-stage startup dynamics — roles shift quickly, requires high self-direction
- Limited HR infrastructure — benefits and career ladders still being developed
Vast AI
- Front-row seat to the AI compute revolution — demand for GPU cloud is surging
- Strong compensation and generous equity stakes for a bootstrapped startup
- Processes are still being defined — expect ad hoc workflows
- Intense workload — the team explicitly values high output
Bottom Line
Modal
Choose Modal if you want world-class engineering peers and 50x revenue growth — but expect early-stage startup dynamics.
Vast AI
Choose Vast AI if you want perfect Glassdoor scores and generous equity at a tiny GPU marketplace — but expect startup chaos.
Open Roles
Modal — 31 jobs
💻 Engineering
10
💼 Sales / GTM
5
👤 HR / People
3
🎨 Design
2
💰 Finance
2
📣 Marketing
2
🧠 ML / AI
2
⚙️ Operations
1
Vast AI — 10 jobs
💻 Engineering
5
🧠 ML / AI
2
📊 Data
1