Depends on what you're optimizing for. I'd hope that "after the subsidy ends", the "cheaper/local providers" will be at the level of at least current SOTA model

Depends on what you're optimizing for. I'd hope that "after the subsidy ends", the "cheaper/local providers" will be at the level of at least current SOTA models. If not, then there's hardly a point using them anyway; if yes, then by sticking to subscription workflow you'll be learning the very workflow you'll be using "after subsidy ends". Either way, I don't see much point of intentional austerity in times of extreme growth. There will be time for austerity once the growth ends.