Complete Quantum Computer Price List | Models, Specs & Costs

Quantum computers exceed the limits of what can be done with classical computers, all once largely theoretical or the stuff of science fiction. ‍

Quantum computers rely on advanced quantum mechanics principles and will be a more common feature in labs, used in fields like materials science, cryptography, logistics and pharmaceuticals even more seriously by 2025.

From a marketing professional trying to figure out the best use of quantum technologies in the next project to a curious person who just wants to know about quantum tech, this guide will give you the ins and outs of how much quantum computers actually cost today and what one can get for what is being charged.

Types Of Quantum Computers

At the moment, there are two main ways you can use a quantum computer: via the cloud or by installing one on-site (if you're in the big leagues or if you're part of a quantum education).

🤖 Cloud-Based Quantum Computing

Aside from universities and research institutions, such services are now being used by small startups and individual researchers to explore quantum computing systems.

1. IBM Quantum

☁️ Access Model: free tier + subscription

💰 Pricing:

• Hobbyists can get free access to small systems for learning and basic research
• A monthly quantum machine subscription starts from $1,600 -includes larger qubits, artificial intelligence, priority access

Features:

• Qiskit SDK support for creating and simulating circuits
• Actual hardware access - 127-qubit systems
• Readily available learning resources and partnerships with various academic and university schemes

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2. Amazon Braket

☁️ Access Model: pay-per-shot execution-based pricing

💰 Pricing:

• $0.01-30 per shot prices, as being dependent on quantum backend selection

Features:

• Multiple hardware providers offer quantum computing: (IonQ, Rigetti, OQC)
• Supports hybrid algorithms including VQE
• Smooth integration with all the available AWS cloud services enhances the capabilities of complex quantum computing systems

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3.  IonQ Cloud

☁️ Access Model: Alliance with them (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)

💰 Pricing:

• The average shot range is $0.005 to $0.01, depending on the complexity of the task

Features:

• Trapped ion hardware for ultra-high qubit fidelity
• Long coherence times are also promising for exploring optimization, Machine Learning (ML), and other quantum-chemical areas
• Developer adds via their SDKs or existing quantum platforms

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4. Microsoft Azure Quantum

☁️ Access Model: Usage-based billing combined with Azure compute time

💰 Pricing:

• Starting at $100 per month for modest usage
• Scales with your choice in hardware and how much computation you apply

Features:

• Integrates with other service providers like IonQ, Quantinuum, Rigetti, and Pasqal companies
• UX and SDK prompts like Q# and Python on Windows and Linux operating systems
• Support for hybrid quantum-classical tasks within the Azure ecosystem

🤖 On-Premises Quantum Computers Price List

Since most national labs, key research institutions, and MNCs remain invested in long-term research and development, partly due to their heavy investment, they then will have to purchase such systems.

1. IBM – Q System One

IBM's flagship system is predominantly used in research institutions and corporate R&D, it can also be remotely accessed from the IBM Quantum Network.

☁️ Access Mode: On-premises or Cloud

• Model: Q System One
• Qubit Type: Superconducting Quantum Circuits
• Qubit Count: 127 qubits

💰 Estimated Price: $10 – 15 million

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2. D-Wave – Advantage2

Designed to be a good optimization, with many qubits available. However, it is an annealing-based (not gate-based quantum logic) device and, therefore may limit some classes of computation.

☁️ Access Mode: On-premises or Hybrid Cloud

• Model: Advantage2
• Qubit Type: Quantum Annealing
• Qubit Count: 5,760 Qubits

‍💰 Estimation of Costs: $12- 14 million

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3. IonQ – Forte

Known as very high fidelity and long coherence time trapping hardware, the IonQ platform is used for very popular research with quantum chemistry and machine learning.

☁️ Access Mode: Cloud-only (via AWS, Azure, or IonQ portal)

• Model: Forte
• Qubit Type: Trapped Ion
• Qubit Count: 35 efficient qubits

💰 Estimated Price: Not yet estimated - Cloud only

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4. Rigetti – Aspen-M3

Mostly used in academic labs and startups, plus Rigetti also provides a quantum cloud service called Quantum Cloud Services for easy inclusion with their classical computer.

☁️ Access Mode: On-premises or Cloud

• Model: Aspen-M3
• Qubit Type: Superconducting
• Qubit Count: 84

💰 Estimated Price: $7-10 million

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5. Quantum Brilliance – Qristal

Low-temperature cooling is unnecessary, so it is compact and mobile, making it best suited for the industrial, defence, and edge-of-the-network areas where cooling is impractical.

☁️ Access Mode: On-premises (no cryogenics needed)

• Model: Qristal
• Qubit Type: Diamond NV (Room Temperature)
• Qubit Count: approximately 6

💰 Estimated Price: contact the supplier (prices are expected to drop under $500k)

What Affects The Price Of A Quantum Computer?

Let's get straight to the point here: much as is the case with other consumer electronics, quantum computers aren't available at Amazon's £999 "quantum laptops" marketplace (yet), since they are complex machines that require specialized environments and components.

• Qubit count - The more quantum qubits, the higher the power (and thus the specific price) that can be acquired.
• Qubit type - Superconducting, trapped ions, photonic, or diamond-based and different hardware and cooling requirements.
• Control systems & cooling – Most quantum systems require ultra-low temperatures near absolute zero to function properly and maintain quantum coherence.
• Software ecosystem – Often combined with access to quantum development kits and simulators.
• Support & maintenance – These systems are incredibly crucial to expert teams handling them during operations.

Upkeep - Cost Of Quantum Computing

Acquiring a quantum computer is a major expenditure due to not only the costs rolled out on hardware but also the infrastructure, personnel, and support required to make it operable.

1. Cryogenic Systems

💸 Estimated Price: $500,000 - $1.5 million

Example: Supposing that costs involved in shielding and installation are imposed on a superconducting rig such as that from I.B.M., or of Rigetti, then such investment can be expected to range around $800,000.

Note: Room-temperature systems like Quantum Brilliance’s bypass this need.

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2. Specialized Talent

💸 Estimated Annual Cost: $300,000 – $1M+

Example: A team of 3–5 full-time quantum staff at a mid-sized lab can cost around $600,000 per year.

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3. Secure Infrastructure

💸 Estimated Cost: $200,000 – $1 million

Example: Air-gapped rooms, shielding, and physical security can run upwards of $500,000.

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4. Software & Training

💸 Licensing & platform support: $50,000 – $200,000/year

💸 Training & workshops: $5,000 – $50,000/year

Example: IBM enterprise partners often include $100,000+ in support and education packages.

Total Cost of Ownership

The cost below is based on the current quantum algorithm, quantum hardware and quantum system market for 3 years.

• Hardware (Aspen-M3): $8 million
• Cryogenic systems: $1 million
• Infrastructure & security: $500,000
• Staff: $1.8 million
• Software & support: $300,000
• Training: $60,000
• Sub Total: ~$11.66 million

Explore Quantum Computing - Case Studies

Quantum computing is a transformative technology poised to revolutionize various industries and leverage the principles of quantum mechanics to process information in fundamentally new ways.

🗺️ 1. IBM Quantum - Real Examples

• Biogen: Used quantum computing to analyze protein folding for neurological diseases.
• Mitsubishi Chemical: Simulated lithium compounds for battery development using IBM Quantum systems.
• ExxonMobil: Explored quantum optimization of carbon capture materials.
• CERN: Partnered with IBM to apply quantum computing to particle physics simulations.

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🗺️ 2. AWS Quantum Solutions Lab – Partner Use Cases

• Volkswagen: Worked with D-Wave to improve traffic flow using quantum annealing.
• Bosch: Partnered to explore quantum ML applications for industrial use cases.
• Forschungszentrum Jülich: Leveraged quantum algorithms for climate and energy modelling.

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🗺️ 3. Microsoft Azure Quantum – Industry Use Cases

• Johnson Matthey: Used quantum chemistry via Azure Quantum to model catalysts in clean energy applications.
• OTI Lumionics: Leveraged quantum tools to design better OLED materials for smartphones and displays.
• Willis Towers Watson: Explored quantum Monte Carlo simulations for financial modelling and insurance risk

Forecasted Advancements In Quantum Computing

🚀 IBM’s Condor: IBM publicizes its latest 1,121-qubit processor, Condor - the most potent superconducting chip yet.

🚀 Quantum Brilliance’s Portable Systems: Furnished with accelerated room-temperature systems costing under $500K, specifically good for industrial and defence sectors.

🚀 Quantum Internet Expands: The now 7-country EU quantum-secured communication network is functional for research and secure data exchange.

🚀 AWS Braket Workflow Automation: Amazon initiates automated hybrid quantum workflows, facilitating integration with traditional tasks easier than ever.

🚀 Open-Source SDK Upgrades: Qiskit, PennyLane and Cirq provide visual debuggers, hybrid support and improved beginner onboarding.

Conclusion - Quantum Pricing

The year 2025 marks the stepping from quantum computing as an experimental technique into the practical world to solve actual problems. In today's world, a quantum researcher, a start-up, or a student can tap into a cutting-edge opportunity with the minimum barrier to entry.

IBM Quantum, Amazon Braket, and Microsoft Azure Quantum migration platforms have made quantum processors available to the public at large. A laptop computer and an internet connection now enable a person to experiment with cutting-edge quantum computing resources, which at one time were only accessible by well-funded research institutions.

This new level of flexibility opens up new avenues for innovation and allows for a greater community of developers to become part of the revolution. As the technology continues to be refined, further applications can be expected to emerge across scientific research, problem-solving, and technological development.