Paperspace vs Shadow PC: Which Cloud Service Should You Choose?

Cloud GPUs are a game-changer for teams needing heavy computational power without investing in expensive hardware. From AI model training to 3D rendering, these services make high-performance GPUs accessible to everyone.

Shadow PC is a well-known name in cloud computing, offering robust solutions built for demanding workloads. On the other hand, Paperspace flies under the radar but still delivers a versatile cloud GPU platform. Whether you’re a developer, data scientist, or creative professional, both options promise the tools to take your projects to the next level.

But how do they stack up against each other? Is Shadow PC’s premium service the clear winner, or does Paperspace bring something unique to the table? In this post, we’ll dive deep into Paperspace vs Shadow PC, comparing their GPUs, pricing, and features to help you choose the right platform for your team.

Paperspace vs Shadow PC: Cloud Gaming

When it comes to cloud gaming services, both Paperspace and Shadow PC are solid contenders, but their strengths cater to slightly different audiences.

Shadow PC is a fully-fledged cloud provider built for gaming enthusiasts. With hardware equivalent to an RTX 3080, Shadow Tech supports the latest versions of demanding games with stunning visuals, including 4K resolution and ray tracing. It offers seamless access across devices—PCs, tablets, and even browsers—making it perfect for gamers on the go. Its monthly fee, starting at $29.99, provides a virtual Windows PC ready for gaming and other tasks. However, issues like more storage costs, higher latency in regions without local data centers, and occasional driver delays may limit the experience for some users.

Paperspace, while more commonly associated with professional workloads, is also a great alternative for cloud gaming. With GPUs like the Quadro P4000 and RTX A100, it supports play time for high-end titles. Unlike Shadow PC, Paperspace uses a pay-as-you-go model, which can be cost-effective for casual gamers who only play games occasionally. The flexibility to scale resources makes sense for those juggling gaming with creative or computational tasks.

For gamers focused purely on performance and ecosystem support, Amazon Luna might be another great alternative, offering curated gaming libraries at a lower cost. However, if you’re looking for a hybrid solution that blends gaming and professional work, Paperspace or Shadow PC could be your ideal fit. Both offer a compelling gateway to Xbox Game Pass and other gaming platforms, but Paperspace’s flexibility may appeal more to diverse needs, while Shadow PC delivers a gaming-first approach.

Whether you need an H100 or RTX A6000, CUDO Compute has the perfect GPU to meet your performance requirements. Sign up now!

Affiliate Disclosure

We are committed to being transparent with our audience. When you purchase via our affiliate links, we may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. These commissions support our ability to deliver independent and high-quality content. We only endorse products and services that we have personally used or carefully researched, ensuring they provide real value to our readers.

Paperspace vs Shadow PC: GPU Comparison

When it comes to cloud GPU solutions, both Paperspace and Shadow PC cater to professionals and teams needing powerful hardware without the hassle of managing physical machines.

Let’s break down their offerings, focusing on GPU models, pricing, features, and use cases to help you decide which service fits your needs best.

GPU Models and Configurations

Paperspace GPU Offerings

Paperspace provides one of the most extensive GPU catalogs available. Their platform is designed for machine learning, data science, rendering, and other GPU-intensive tasks.

• NVIDIA H100 (Latest)
  • Designed for AI training, inference, and HPC workloads.
  • Features: 80GB HBM3 memory, 2.4TB/s memory bandwidth, and up to 700 Tensor TFlops.
  • Ideal for: Training large AI models, deep learning, and scientific simulations.
• NVIDIA A100 (Ampere Architecture)
  • Built for high-performance computing and AI.
  • Features: 40/80GB memory variants, Tensor Float-32 (TF32) precision, and multi-instance GPU (MIG) support.
  • Ideal for: Data analysis, natural language processing, and large-scale AI workloads.
• NVIDIA RTX 3090 & RTX A5000
  • High-performance GPUs for creators and developers.
  • Features: 24GB GDDR6X memory (RTX 3090) and 24GB GDDR6 memory (RTX A5000).
  • Ideal for: 3D rendering, real-time ray tracing, and VR applications.

Paperspace offers per-second billing and flexibility to switch GPU instances. This makes it a cost-effective choice for dynamic workloads.

Shadow PC GPU Offerings

Shadow PC focuses on delivering professional-grade workstations with varying GPU configurations suitable for diverse tasks.

1. Essential Plan (No GPU)
   • CPU: Intel Xeon (up to 3.1 GHz), 4 vCores.
   • Memory: 4GB RAM.
   • Storage: 256GB SSD.
   • Ideal for: Basic office tasks like word processing and spreadsheets.
2. Standard Plan (NVIDIA GTX 1080 / P5000)
   • GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1080 or Quadro P5000 (12GB VRAM).
   • CPU: Intel Xeon (up to 3.1 GHz), 8 vCores.
   • Memory: 12GB RAM.
   • Storage: 1TB SSD.
   • Ideal for: 3D modeling, video editing, and light rendering.
3. Advanced Plan (NVIDIA RTX 3070 Ti / A4500)
   • GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3070 Ti or RTX A4500.
   • CPU: AMD EPYC 7543P (up to 3.7 GHz), 8 vCores.
   • Memory: 28GB RAM.
   • Storage: 1TB SSD.
   • Ideal for: Animation, advanced photo/video editing, and architectural design.
4. Expert Plan (NVIDIA RTX 6000)
   • GPU: NVIDIA RTX 6000 (48GB GDDR6 memory).
   • CPU: 12 vCores.
   • Memory: 41GB RAM.
   • Storage: Customizable up to 5TB HDD.
   • Ideal for: AI, CAD simulations, deep learning, and VFX rendering.

Shadow PC’s plans come with robust networking and Windows environments optimized for professional software.

With competitive rates and high availability, CUDO Compute is the ideal cloud provider for AI and computational workloads. Sign up now!

Price Comparison

Paperspace Pricing

Paperspace offers on-demand pricing, which varies depending on the GPU selected. They highlight affordability, with claims of saving up to 70% compared to traditional public clouds.

For instance, an NVIDIA RTX 3090 instance costs approximately $1.10/hour, while the A100 is priced at $2.80/hour. Paperspace’s pricing model is particularly advantageous for teams with fluctuating workloads, as you only pay for what you use.

Shadow PC Pricing

Shadow PC offers tiered monthly subscriptions:

• Essential Plan: $9.99/month.
• Standard Plan: $24.99/month (first month) or $34.99/month thereafter.
• Advanced Plan: $54.99/month.
• Expert Plan: Pricing varies by configuration but averages around $129/month.

Shadow PC’s plans are more predictable with fixed monthly costs, making budgeting easier for long-term projects. However, its higher-tier configurations can become costly compared to Paperspace’s pay-as-you-go model.

CUDO Compute’s flexible pricing lets you pay by the hour or save with monthly and multi-month plans for long-term projects. Sign up now!

Performance and Features

Paperspace

Paperspace’s performance and features are tailored to meet the demands of developers, data scientists, and teams requiring cutting-edge technology with a high degree of flexibility. Here’s a closer look:

1. Scalability

Paperspace supports configurations with up to 8 GPUs per instance, offering unmatched scalability for GPU-intensive workloads. This level of parallel processing is critical for tasks such as training deep learning models, scientific simulations, and large-scale rendering projects. Multi-GPU setups dramatically reduce computation times, making Paperspace a go-to option for users who need to scale computing power effortlessly.

2. Preloaded Frameworks

Time-consuming setup processes are minimized on Paperspace. The platform comes preloaded with popular machine-learning libraries and frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, and others. These frameworks are installed and ready to use, enabling users to focus on building and deploying models instead of troubleshooting installation issues. It’s especially beneficial for beginners or researchers who need a streamlined environment to start their projects immediately.

3. Networking

Paperspace ensures lightning-fast connectivity with a 10 Gbps backend network and 1 Gbps internet speed. This robust networking infrastructure is essential for transferring large datasets, collaborating in real-time, and ensuring seamless access to cloud resources. For workflows involving shared data or remote team collaboration, this networking speed reduces latency and enhances overall productivity.

4. Customization

Paperspace offers full root access and SSH compatibility, allowing users to customize their virtual machines to fit specific requirements. Whether it’s installing unique software stacks, configuring drivers, or managing intricate workflows, the flexibility Paperspace provides ensures that no project is constrained by pre-defined configurations. This level of control is particularly appealing to advanced users who want a cloud environment that mimics the versatility of on-premises hardware.

5. Ease of Use

The platform is designed with simplicity in mind, featuring an intuitive management interface and comprehensive API access. Users can manage instances, track resource utilization, and automate workflows seamlessly. Paperspace’s interface simplifies complex operations, making it user-friendly for beginners while still offering the depth needed by seasoned professionals.

Shadow PC

Shadow PC takes a different approach, focusing on accessibility and a seamless user experience for professionals who prioritize convenience and security alongside performance.

1. Ease of Access

One of Shadow PC’s standout features is its ability to provide access from virtually any device, including macOS, iPad, Android, Linux, Windows, and even web browsers. This universal compatibility ensures that teams and individuals can connect to their cloud workstations from anywhere without worrying about hardware limitations. This feature is especially valuable for mobile professionals or teams spread across various devices and operating systems.

2. Security

Shadow PC’s services are hosted on OVHCloud servers, which meet stringent security standards, including ISO27001, ISO27017, ISO27018, and SOC 2 Type 2 certifications. This guarantees data safety and compliance with industry regulations, making Shadow PC an excellent choice for businesses that handle sensitive data or require secure environments.

3. Fleet Management

Managing cloud workstations becomes effortless with Shadow PC’s intuitive fleet management tools. Users can easily add, clone, or remove virtual machines through a clear and user-friendly interface. This feature allows businesses to scale their virtual infrastructure up or down depending on project demands, reducing overhead costs while maximizing efficiency. The simplicity of these tools means minimal IT expertise is required to manage an entire team’s workstations.

4. High-Fidelity Rendering

For creative professionals, Shadow PC’s support for 4:4:4 color rendering and ray tracing stands out. This capability ensures superior color accuracy and lifelike visual fidelity, making it a favorite for designers, animators, and video editors. Additionally, features like real-time ray tracing allow users to produce realistic lighting, reflections, and shadows, elevating the quality of their projects.

CUDO Compute’s flexible pricing lets you pay by the hour or save with monthly and multi-month plans for long-term projects. Sign up now!

Use Cases

Paperspace:

Paperspace is a versatile platform designed to cater to high-performance computing needs, making it a top choice for professionals and organizations involved in intensive computational tasks.

1. Machine Learning

Paperspace excels in the machine learning domain, offering cutting-edge GPUs like the NVIDIA H100 and A100, which are optimized for AI and deep learning tasks. Researchers and developers can use these GPUs to train complex neural networks faster and more efficiently. With preloaded machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Keras, Paperspace reduces setup time, allowing users to focus on model development and deployment.

The scalability of Paperspace, supporting up to 8 GPUs per instance, ensures that even the most demanding machine learning workloads can be handled seamlessly. From computer vision to natural language processing, Paperspace is ideal for AI innovation at scale.

2. Rendering

The high-performance GPUs available on Paperspace make it an excellent option for rendering tasks, such as 3D modeling, animation, and video editing. For industries like gaming, film production, and design, Paperspace provides the power needed to render high-quality visuals in shorter time frames.

Artists can utilize platforms like Blender, Maya, or Cinema 4D on Paperspace to create photorealistic scenes and animations. The platform’s robust networking infrastructure also ensures smooth collaboration, even when working with large file sizes.

3. Scientific Research

Paperspace supports advanced computational workloads, making it suitable for scientific research involving simulations, data analysis, and modeling. Researchers in fields like physics, chemistry, biology, and climate science can use Paperspace to process large datasets and run simulations that would typically require on-premises supercomputers. With its scalability and flexibility, Paperspace empowers scientists to perform experiments, analyze results, and iterate faster than ever before.

Shadow PC:

Shadow PC’s offerings are tailored toward professionals requiring powerful and accessible workstations for creative and collaborative tasks.

1. Gaming Enthusiasts:

Shadow PC is a powerful cloud gaming service designed to deliver a seamless gaming experience. By providing access to a virtual Windows PC, it allows gamers to play graphically demanding titles in stunning 4K resolution with ray tracing.

Shadow Tech ensures compatibility with the latest version of popular games and supports high refresh rates for smooth gameplay. While its monthly fee may seem steep, the same amount grants access to a fully functional workstation, making it ideal for gamers who also need productivity tools. Shadow PC is perfect for anyone seeking high-performance gaming with added versatility.

2. Creative Professionals

Shadow PC is a favorite among creative professionals, particularly those working in video editing, animation, and game development. With configurations like the RTX 3070 Ti and RTX 6000, Shadow PC ensures seamless performance on demanding software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Blender, Unreal Engine, and After Effects.

Ray tracing and 4:4:4 color fidelity further enhance Shadow PC’s appeal to creators who need precise rendering and high-quality visual output. Whether crafting cinematic effects or editing 4K videos, Shadow PC delivers the power and fidelity required to bring creative visions to life.

3. Design and Visualization

For architects, engineers, and industrial designers, Shadow PC provides robust support for CAD software like AutoCAD, Rhino 3D, and SolidWorks. With its high-performance GPUs and ample memory, Shadow PC can handle large-scale projects involving complex designs and simulations.

It’s also ideal for architectural visualization and virtual walkthroughs, thanks to real-time rendering capabilities in software like Twinmotion and ArchiCAD. The ability to produce photorealistic models with natural lighting and accurate details makes Shadow PC a valuable tool for design professionals.

4. Collaborative Work

Shadow PC’s accessibility across multiple devices and operating systems makes it an excellent solution for teams working remotely. Team members can access their workstations from Windows PCs, macOS devices, tablets, or even web browsers, ensuring consistent performance and productivity regardless of location.

The platform’s intuitive fleet management tools simplify the process of adding or modifying workstations, making it a practical choice for dynamic teams with evolving needs. For creative agencies or businesses requiring secure and efficient workflows, Shadow PC is a reliable partner.

Paperspace vs Shadow PC Cloud: The Bottom Line

Feature	Paperspace	Shadow PC
GPU Range	Broad, latest NVIDIA GPUs (e.g., H100)	Limited to GTX 1080, RTX 6000 tiers
Pricing	Pay-as-you-go, cost-efficient	Fixed monthly plans, predictable
Customizability	High, flexible instance types	Moderate, fixed tiers
Use Case Focus	Machine learning, AI, rendering	Gaming, Creative design, remote work
Accessibility	Advanced setup tools	Simple access on any device

Both providers cater to different needs. Paperspace shines with flexibility and scalability, while Shadow PC offers polished, ready-to-use workstations perfect for gaming and creative professionals.

Choose based on your workflow and budget. If you need flexibility for AI or scientific projects, Paperspace is a strong contender. For creative projects or simple access across devices, Shadow PC is worth considering.