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Cloud · head to head

Encore vs RAD Studio

Encore logo

Encore

Cloud

Automated infrastructure for humans and agents

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite
RAD Studio logo

RAD Studio

Developer Tools

Cross-platform native app development with Delphi and C++Builder

From
$2000/perpetual
Free plan
No
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Encore has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Encore limited language support (TypeScript and Go only); RAD Studio professional edition costs $2,000 for the perpetual license plus $599 for year one maintenance, totaling $2,599 before tax
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Encore and RAD Studio actually diverge.

Attributes where Encore and RAD Studio differ
AttributeEncoreRAD Studio
Starting priceFree$2000/perpetual
Pricing modelUnknownone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, CLIWeb
CategoryCloudDeveloper Tools

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Encore

  • Local development environment
  • Preview environments
  • Infrastructure automation
  • Cloud deployment
  • Self-service operations
  • Distributed tracing

Only in RAD Studio

Nothing recorded that Encore does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Encore

  • Building microservices with database provisioningnot RAD Studio
  • Creating feature branch preview environmentsnot RAD Studio
  • Deploying TypeScript and Go backends to AWS/GCPnot RAD Studio

RAD Studio

  • Building Windows desktop applications with VCL componentsnot Encore
  • Creating iOS and Android apps from shared Delphi codebasenot Encore
  • Connecting to Oracle databases through FireDAC connectivitynot Encore
  • Building REST web services that run on Linux serversnot Encore

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Encore

  • Limited language support (TypeScript and Go only)
  • Pro tier requires per-member subscription pricing
  • Additional resource costs beyond subscription for AWS/GCP provisioning

RAD Studio

  • Professional edition costs $2,000 for the perpetual license plus $599 for year one maintenance, totaling $2,599 before tax
  • Enterprise edition steps up to $3,400 license plus $1,199 maintenance, and Architect edition to $4,416 license plus $2,183 maintenance
  • The perpetual license only entitles the buyer to updates for one year; continued access to new updates and upgrades requires an annually renewable Update Subscription

Pricing, plan by plan

Encore

Free
  • StarterFree
    • 2 free dev environments
    • 1M distributed tracing events/month
    • 7-day log retention
  • Pro$49/month
    • Unlimited free dev environments
    • 20M tracing events/month
    • 30-day log retention
  • Enterprise$undefined/custom
    • Enterprise security and compliance
    • SSO/SAML
    • Custom RBAC

RAD Studio

$2000/perpetual
  • Professional Edition$2000/perpetual
    • Perpetual License
    • First year maintenance $599
    • Total $2,599 + Tax
  • Enterprise Edition$3400/perpetual
    • Perpetual License
    • First year maintenance $1,199
    • Total $4,599 + Tax
  • Architect Edition$4416/perpetual
    • Perpetual License
    • First year maintenance $2,183
    • Total $6,599 + Tax

Which should you pick?

Choose Encore if

  • You need local development environment.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, CLI.
  • You also want preview environments.
Encore review

Choose RAD Studio if

Nothing in the data separates RAD Studio from Encore on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

RAD Studio review

Questions people ask

Is Encore or RAD Studio better?
Neither clearly leads. Encore starts at Free and RAD Studio at $2000/perpetual, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Encore or RAD Studio?
Encore has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Encore and $2000/perpetual for RAD Studio.
Does Encore or RAD Studio run on more platforms?
Encore runs on Web, CLI. RAD Studio runs on Web.
Can I use Encore for free?
Yes. Encore has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. RAD Studio starts at $2000/perpetual.
What is Encore best used for?
Encore is most often used for building microservices with database provisioning, creating feature branch preview environments, deploying typescript and go backends to aws/gcp. Of those, building microservices with database provisioning and creating feature branch preview environments are not what RAD Studio is typically brought in for.
What can Encore do that RAD Studio cannot?
Encore covers Local development environment, Preview environments, Infrastructure automation, Cloud deployment.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Encore: What happens after the free tier?

The Pro plan costs $49/member/month plus usage charges of $2.50 per resource and $99 per AWS/GCP environment.

Source
RAD Studio: How much does RAD Studio cost?

RAD Studio uses perpetual licensing: Professional Edition $2,000 perpetual license + $599 first year maintenance ($2,599 total + tax). Enterprise Edition $3,400 license + $1,199 maintenance ($4,599 total + tax). Architect Edition $4,416 license + $2,183 maintenance ($6,599 total + tax).

Source
Encore: Do I own my infrastructure?

Yes, Encore deploys infrastructure in your own AWS or GCP cloud account, so you maintain complete control and avoid vendor lock-in.

Source
RAD Studio: What is the difference between RAD Studio editions?

Professional Edition ($2,599 total + tax) targets individual developers. Enterprise Edition ($4,599 total + tax) adds multi-tier app capabilities. Architect Edition ($6,599 total + tax) includes advanced database and cloud features. All three include perpetual licenses.

Source
RAD Studio: Does RAD Studio offer Kai AI integration and discounts?

Yes, adding Kai AI to any edition provides discounts: 25% off Professional ($2,136 + tax), 30% off Enterprise ($3,394 + tax), and 40% off Architect ($4,109 + tax). This promotion is active through August 31, 2026.

Source
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