On-premises servers and cloud servers are two common methods for hosting websites and applications. A self-built server refers to purchasing and configuring a physical server locally or in a data center, connecting it to the Internet, and running a website or application by installing and configuring the operating system, software, and network settings yourself. A cloud server stores the data and code of a website or application on the cloud service provider's server and accesses and maintains it through the Internet.

There are several aspects to consider when comparing the cost of building a home server versus a cloud server . Here are some common cost factors:

1. Purchase servers and hardware equipment: In the case of self-built servers, you need to purchase physical servers and other hardware equipment, such as network switches, routers, and firewalls. The cost of this hardware depends on the size and number of servers. Cloud servers do not require the purchase of any hardware equipment.

2. Data center hosting fees: If you choose to host your self-built server in a data center, you need to pay the corresponding hosting fees. These fees typically cover aspects such as cabinet rental, power consumption and network bandwidth. Cloud servers do not require these additional hosting fees.

3. Network bandwidth fees: Self-built servers require monthly network bandwidth fees, which depend on the data transmission volume of the website or application on the server. Cloud servers usually have a fixed bandwidth fee that is not affected by the amount of data transferred.

4. Maintenance and warranty: Self-built servers need to be maintained and maintained by themselves. This includes regular software updates, hardware maintenance and backup management. Cloud servers are usually maintained and warranted by the cloud service provider, which does not require you to spend extra manpower and time on maintenance.

5. Flexibility and elastic fees: The cost of cloud servers is usually calculated on a pay-as-you-go model. You can quickly adjust the size and configuration of the server according to actual usage, and only pay for the resources you actually use. Self-built servers require purchasing and configuring servers in advance, and capacity planning may take a certain amount of time and cost.

Based on the comparison of the above cost factors, the following conclusions can be drawn:

1. For small-scale websites or applications, cloud servers may be a more economical choice. Building a self-built server requires purchasing server hardware and other equipment, and hosting fees and maintenance costs will also increase. In contrast, cloud servers provide a flexible payment model, and you only need to pay based on the actual resources used.

2. For large-scale websites or applications, self-built servers may be more competitive. Although self-built servers require a one-time purchase of hardware equipment, the overall cost may be lower in the long-term operation. Cloud server costs are usually based on usage, which can be an expensive option if you need a lot of resources and bandwidth.

3. Considering the cost of maintenance and warranty, cloud servers may be more favored by startups and individual developers. The cloud service provider maintains and warrants the servers, so you can focus on developing and operating your website or application.

To sum up, self-built servers and cloud servers have different advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost. Which one you choose depends on your actual needs, budget, and goals. For small-scale websites or applications, cloud servers may be a more economical and practical option. For large-scale websites or applications, self-built servers may be more competitive. The final decision should take into account factors such as cost, flexibility, scalability and maintenance.