Is ComfyUI web-based?

TD:LR:

• Promptus ComfyUI Cloud lets you run ComfyUI entirely in your web browser on managed GPUs—no installs, just click and create.
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• Promptus with ComfyUI takes that same local model and packages it for you—no Python, no dependency hunting, and no manual node juggling. Promptus’ official guidance: it includes a packaged ComfyUI app, adds Gemini 2.5 Flash Image (“Nano Banana”) alongside popular open models (Flux, Wan 2.2, SDXL), and offers a one-time $49 desktop license option (free for subscribers).

How ComfyUI works

Promptus with ComfyUI is a node-based interface for generative AI. You build a graph (pipeline) that connects text encoders, samplers, upscalers, ControlNet nodes, video nodes, and more. Its browser UI does not mean it’s a website—think of it as a desktop app that uses your browser as a window.

Two ways to run ComfyUI with Promptus

1. Promptus Desktop (local / offline)

• Packaged & optimized: Promptus bundles ComfyUI with the right Python, CUDA, and popular nodes.
• Zero setup pain: No dependency wrestling, no path issues.
• Private by default: Your prompts, models, and renders stay on your machine.
• Pricing: Free for subscribers, or $49 lifetime desktop license (includes ComfyUI forever).
• Best when you want maximum privacy, offline creation, and predictable performance on your own GPU.

2. Promptus ComfyUI Cloud (browser / online)

• Open in the ComfyUI tab, start generating: Your ComfyUI workspace runs on a managed GPU; nothing to install locally.
• Click-to-scale hardware: Choose the GPU tier that fits your task (e.g., SDXL, video, 3D).
• Preinstalled nodes & workflows: Popular nodes, SDXL pipelines, AnimateDiff, ControlNet, and more are ready to go.
• Team-friendly: Share links or templates; standardize workflows across your studio.
• Best when you don’t have a big local GPU, you need temporary bursts of power, or you want turnkey collaboration.

Bonus: In both modes you can also use Gemini Flash 2.5 Image (Nano Banana) via Promptus for features like multi-image fusion, character consistency, natural-language edits, world-knowledge context, and invisible SynthID watermarking.

Cloud instances

If you run ComfyUI on a rented GPU (e.g., a hosted session), then you access it through a public URL. That’s web-hosted, but it’s just one deployment option.

How Promptus with ComfyUI works

Promptus takes the local architecture that makes ComfyUI great and turns it into a turnkey app:

1. Packaged ComfyUI binary
   • Promptus ships with ComfyUI bundled, configured, and tested.
   • Launch the Promptus desktop app → ComfyUI opens ready to use (no Python, CUDA wheels, or CLI flags).
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2. Model library + one-click setup
   • Promptus streamlines model placement (checkpoints, LoRAs, ControlNet, VAE) and can surface curated templates so you spend time creating, not wiring nodes.
   • Because it’s packaging Comfy properly, updates and patches happen through Promptus rather than manual Git pulls or pip installs.
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3. Multi-model lineup in one place
   • Beyond Stable Diffusion/SDXL, Promptus integrates Gemini 2.5 Flash Image (“Nano Banana”), Flux tools, and Wan 2.2 directly into the same workspace—so you can pick the best engine per task without changing apps.
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4. Local-first, offline-capable
   • Because Comfy’s core is offline-friendly, packaged Promptus builds inherit that privacy. Run jobs with models stored on disk, no internet required (unless you use online nodes/APIs).
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5. Performance and stability
   • ComfyUI’s graph engine is memory-efficient (it reuses latents, splits pipelines, and moves tensors smartly), which lets you run larger or more complex graphs on the same GPU compared with naïve pipelines. Promptus adds sane defaults and pre-tuned graphs to keep things stable.
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6. Licensing & access
   • Promptus publicly states two options: free for subscribers or one-time $49 desktop license that includes the packaged ComfyUI experience.

Why creators use Promptus with ComfyUI

1. Save hours (and headaches)

Manual installs mean Python versions, CUDA/ROCm, PyTorch wheels, node repos, model folder conventions, and launch flags (--port 8188, --listen, etc.). Promptus skips all that so you’re generating on day one.

2. Privacy by default

Run locally, keep your data on-device, and stay offline when you want. Comfy’s desktop core promises no background downloads unless you opt in.

3. More models, one desk

Hop between Gemini 2.5 Flash Image (great for conversational edits, consistency, and restoration), Flux/Wan/SDXL (open-model flexibility), or your favorite LoRAs—without changing tools. View all the AI generation models available inside Promptus. 

4. Cost control

Avoid monthly GPU bills when you don’t need cloud. Promptus’ one-time desktop option fits teams that prefer capex over opex, and the local stack cuts recurring costs.

5. Future-proof workflow

Comfy’s graph lets you compose multi-step pipelines: conditioning, adapters (ControlNet/IP-Adapter), upscalers, post-FX, even video chains—then version and reuse them as your house standards. Use the Promptus Cosyflow option to save your Comfy workflows and they will appear in Playground.

Setup snapshots

With Promptus

1. Install Promptus desktop.
2. Open ComfyUI (packaged) from within Promptus.
3. Pick a model (Gemini 2.5 Flash, SDXL, Flux, Wan 2.2, etc.).
4. Load a template graph (photo restore, product render, character sheet) and hit Generate.
5. Iterate, save, and export.

Manual (for comparison)

• Install Python, Git, CUDA/ROCm; git clone ComfyUI; install dependencies; place models in ComfyUI/models/*; start with flags and open 127.0.0.1:8188. This is powerful—but not as quick.

When to add cloud

If you need big VRAM for SDXL finetunes or long video runs, spinning up a cloud GPU can help. Just remember: now you’re web-hosting the session, and privacy and costs depend on the provider. Keep sensitive work local whenever possible.

What actually happens under the hood?

Local mode (Desktop)

• Promptus launches a local server that the browser UI talks to.
• Your GPU runs the models; your disk stores models/outputs.
• No telemetry in core ComfyUI; no automatic network calls unless you add cloud nodes or download models.
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Cloud mode (Browser)

• Promptus provisions a container/VM with ComfyUI preloaded.
• The UI is served over HTTPS; GPU compute happens server-side.
• Persistent storage (project folders, models) can be mounted per account/workspace, depending on your plan.
• Updates, drivers, and nodes are maintained for you—no rebuilds, no CUDA mismatches.
• Security: Sessions are isolated; use strong account auth, rotate API keys, and keep sensitive assets in private workspaces.

When should I choose Desktop vs. Cloud?

Choose Desktop (local/offline) if you:

• Need maximum privacy (air-gapped or regulated projects).
• Want predictable costs (no hourly GPU bills).
• Have a decent GPU (8–12GB VRAM recommended for SDXL).
• Prefer owning your environment and caching big models once.

Choose Cloud (browser/online) if you:

• Don’t own a strong GPU (or you’re on a laptop).
• Need burst power for video/3D nodes or high-res renders.
• Want collaboration (shared templates, consistent tooling).
• Value zero setup and auto-updates over tinkering.

Many teams mix both: Design & iterate in Cloud, then archive or finish locally for long-term privacy and cost control.

Performance, latency & cost notes

• Latency: Cloud adds round-trip time; keep heavy assets in your cloud workspace to avoid constant uploads.
• Throughput: A bigger cloud GPU can outpace a mid-range local card for SDXL, video nodes (AnimateDiff/SD-Video), or 3D workflows.
• Cost:
  • Desktop: One-time $49 license (or free for subscribers) + the GPU you already own.
  • Cloud: Pay for the GPU tier and usage—great for sprints; switch off when idle.
• Caching: Reuse models and LoRA locally or pin them to your cloud workspace to avoid re-downloads.

Privacy & security at a glance

• Desktop: Stays on your machine. You control disks, backups, encryption, firewalls.
• Cloud: Provider isolates sessions and maintains infrastructure. Keep workspaces private, use strong auth, and review data handling for compliance.
• Nano Banana: Adds invisible SynthID watermarking to generations—useful for provenance without hurting visual fidelity.

Practical setup checklists

Local (Desktop) quickstart

1. Install Promptus Desktop.
2. Add your core models (e.g., sd_xl_base_1.0.safetensors, LoRA, VAE).
3. Open a Template workflow and hit Generate.
4. Optional: Enable xformers/Flash-Attn if supported for speed.

Cloud quickstart

1. Open Promptus Web App, Select the ComfyUI Tab and choose a GPU tier.
2. Pick a Template (e.g., Product Render SDXL, Character Consistency).
3. Import assets or link from your Model Hub.
4. Generate, iterate, and share a read-only link if you need feedback.

Conclusion

ComfyUI is not limited to local use.

• Local/Offline Desktop for privacy, ownership, and zero ongoing fees.
• ComfyUI Cloud for instant, in-browser creation on powerful GPUs—perfect for teams and for anyone without a big graphics card.

Either way, Promptus reduces setup friction, keeps nodes stable and updated, and adds model breadth—Gemini Flash 2.5 Image, Stable Diffusion, Flux, Wan 2.2, and hundreds more—so you spend time creating, not configuring.