Your Mac Studio is sitting idle most of the day. When you're not using it, that 512GB of unified memory and 80 GPU cores aren't earning you anything. MetalCloud changes that - connecting your hardware to AI developers who need exactly what you have.
This guide covers everything you need to know about becoming a MetalCloud host: realistic earnings, setup process, and tips from hosts who are already earning.
Earnings Potential
Let's start with what everyone wants to know: how much can you actually make?
Average Monthly Earnings
| Machine | Hourly Rate | Monthly (50% util) | Monthly (80% util) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mac Studio M3 Ultra (512GB) | £6.95/hr + VAT customer £5.91/hr host (85%) |
£2,128 | £3,404 |
The 512GB M3 Ultra is the most in-demand configuration. Developers pay a premium for machines that can run Llama 70B at full precision - something no other cloud offers on a single machine.
Realistic Expectations
Most hosts see 40-70% utilization in their first months, growing as they build reputation. Top hosts with 24/7 availability and high uptime scores can exceed 80% utilization. Your actual earnings depend on your availability and reliability.
How It Works
The Basic Flow
- You install the MetalCloud daemon - a lightweight process that runs in the background
- You set your availability - which hours your machine is available for jobs
- Jobs are automatically matched - when a developer needs compute, compatible machines are selected
- Workloads run in isolation - sandboxed execution protects your system
- You get paid weekly - direct deposit to your bank account
What Runs on Your Machine
MetalCloud jobs are primarily AI inference workloads:
- LLM inference: Running models like Llama 70B, generating text responses
- Model fine-tuning: LoRA and other efficient training methods
- MLX workloads: Apple Silicon-native machine learning
- Batch processing: Document analysis, embedding generation
All workloads run in isolated containers with no access to your files or personal data. You're providing compute, not storage.
Getting Started: Step by Step
Apply to Host
Fill out the host application at metalcloud.space/host. We verify your hardware specs and location. Approval typically takes 24-48 hours.
Install the Daemon
Download and install the MetalCloud daemon. It's a single command: brew install metalcloud-daemon. The daemon runs silently in the background and uses minimal resources when idle.
Configure Availability
Set which hours your machine is available. Many hosts run 24/7, but you can also set specific windows - like overnight only, or weekdays only. Jobs are only assigned during your available hours.
Set Your Pricing
The published customer price is £6.95/hour + VAT. Hosts are credited 85% of that rate, £5.91 per compute hour.
Start Earning
Once configured, your machine appears in the pool. Jobs will start flowing within hours. You can monitor earnings and job history in the host dashboard.
Tips from Top Hosts
We talked to hosts earning £1,000+/month. Here's what they recommend:
Maximize Uptime
Reliability is everything. Hosts with 99%+ uptime get priority for high-value jobs. Use a UPS, set up automatic restarts, and avoid scheduled reboots during peak hours.
Optimize Your Network
A stable, fast connection matters. Wired ethernet is strongly preferred over WiFi. Most jobs involve downloading model weights initially, so good bandwidth helps job start times.
Count the electricity
Electricity comes off your earnings, and it depends on your tariff and the job. Check it on your own meter. The useful case is a Mac you already bought for your own work, asleep when it has nothing to run. Electricity for Mac jobs.
Start 24/7 If Possible
Hosts available round the clock get more jobs. If you can't do that, overnight hours, when US developers are working, are often busy. A Mac left on with nothing to run still uses electricity. The case for hosting is a machine you already own.
Costs and Considerations
What You'll Spend
| Item | Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | Your meter | Your tariff times the kWh on your meter. Electricity for Mac jobs. |
| Internet | £0 | Use existing connection |
| Wear and tear | Not priced here | SSDs last a long time. Fans do run under sustained load. |
| Total overhead | Your electricity bill | Gross figures above are before power. Take off what your meter shows. |
Hardware Requirements
- Minimum: Any Apple Silicon Mac with 16GB+ unified memory
- Recommended: Mac Studio M4 Max or M5 Max (128GB), or M3 Ultra (512GB)
- Network: Stable broadband, 50Mbps+ recommended
- Location: Currently accepting hosts in UK, EU, US, Canada, Australia
Security and Privacy
Your machine, your control. Here's how we protect you:
- Sandboxed execution: All workloads run in isolated containers with no filesystem access
- Network isolation: Jobs can't access your local network or other devices
- Resource limits: CPU, memory, and disk I/O are strictly capped per job
- Audit logging: Full logs of what runs on your machine, viewable in your dashboard
- Kill switch: Instantly terminate any job and remove your machine from the pool
You can also set restricted hours when sensitive work is happening, or pause hosting entirely at any time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my Mac while it's hosting?
Yes, but performance may be reduced during active jobs. Most hosts dedicate machines to hosting, or set availability for times when they're not using the machine.
What happens if my internet goes down?
The job is automatically reassigned to another machine. You won't be penalized for occasional outages, but frequent disconnections affect your reliability score and job matching priority.
Do I need to keep the Mac awake?
Yes, the daemon keeps the machine awake during available hours. Sleep is disabled when you're marked as available. You can schedule sleep during unavailable hours.
How are payments handled?
Payments are processed weekly via direct bank transfer. Minimum payout is £50. You'll receive a detailed breakdown of jobs and earnings in your dashboard.
Is this taxable income?
Yes, hosting income is taxable in most jurisdictions. We provide annual earnings summaries for tax reporting. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Ready to Start Earning?
If you have a Mac Studio (or any Apple Silicon Mac) that's idle for significant portions of the day, MetalCloud hosting is an easy way to generate passive income. The setup takes 15 minutes, and jobs start flowing within hours.
The AI industry needs compute. Your Mac has it. Let's connect the two.
Become a MetalCloud Host
Turn your idle Mac into a passive income stream. Applications open now.
Apply to Host