When you're deep in the world of computer vision, getting your data labeled accurately and efficiently is paramount. And that's where CVAT comes in – a powerful, open-source tool that's become a go-to for annotating images and videos. But like any robust tool, understanding its pricing structure is key to making the most of it.
CVAT actually offers a few distinct paths, catering to different scales and needs. For those just starting out or working solo, there's the CVAT Cloud Free option. It's a fantastic way to dive in without any initial cost, perfect for individual projects or small teams dipping their toes into annotation. You get access to the core functionalities, which is pretty generous to begin with.
As your team grows or your projects demand more, CVAT Cloud offers subscription plans. They've got a 'Team' offering that's designed for flexibility. You can opt for a Team Monthly plan, which is great if you need to scale up and down as projects ebb and flow. The pricing here is per user, so you pay for exactly what you need, when you need it. It starts around $33 per user per month, but of course, the more users you add, the more the total cost increases. They even have a handy calculator right on their site to show you the total monthly cost based on the number of seats you require.
If you know you'll be committed for the long haul, the Team Yearly plan offers a significant saving – we're talking about a 30% discount compared to the monthly option. This is the sweet spot for teams that have ongoing annotation needs and want the best value. Again, it's priced per user, with a starting point of about $23 per user per month when billed annually. It’s a smart move for established projects or organizations that rely heavily on CVAT.
And for those larger organizations with stringent security, compliance, and data control requirements, there's CVAT for Enterprises. This isn't your typical cloud subscription; it's about hosting CVAT securely within your own infrastructure. This option is tailored for businesses that need that extra layer of control and often come with enterprise-level support. While the exact figures aren't listed in the same way as the cloud plans, it starts at $10,000 per year and is designed for organizations prioritizing these advanced features, including things like SSO, LDAP, and deeper integrations with platforms like Roboflow and Hugging Face.
It's worth noting that CVAT also has a self-hosted Community Edition, which is free to use if you have the technical wherewithal to set it up and manage it yourself. This is a fantastic option for those who want complete control over their environment and data, without any subscription fees.
Ultimately, CVAT's pricing is structured to grow with you. Whether you're a solo annotator, a burgeoning startup, or a large enterprise, there's a path to leverage their powerful annotation tools. The key is to assess your current needs, anticipate future growth, and then choose the plan that offers the best balance of features, cost, and control for your specific computer vision workflow.