---
title: "LiteLLM Pricing, Features & Alternatives (2026)"
description: "LiteLLM review: AI Gateways & LLM Proxies tool — Free tier, plans, pros & cons, and the best LiteLLM alternatives compared for startups in 2026."
source: https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/litellm
retrieved: 2026-10-14
---

![LiteLLM logo](https://www.google.com/s2/favicons?domain=litellm.ai&sz=128)

[AI Gateways & LLM Proxies](https://appstackbuilder.com/categories/ai-gateway)Free tier

# LiteLLM: Pricing, Features & Alternatives

LiteLLM is an MIT-licensed SDK and proxy server that puts every major model provider behind one OpenAI-compatible endpoint. Requests go straight from your servers to the providers you hold keys for, so no third party sits in your traffic path. The proxy adds virtual keys with budgets and rate limits per key, user or team, plus fallbacks, load balancing and spend tracking (it needs a Postgres database for those). The open-source edition is free; you pay for the server. LiteLLM Enterprise adds SSO, audit logs, role-based access and support at custom pricing.

Category

AI Gateways & LLM Proxies

Pricing

Free tier available

Free tier

Yes

Best for

AI Gateways & LLM Proxies — llm-proxy, open-source

[Visit LiteLLM official site](https://www.litellm.ai)

## LiteLLM Pricing Plans (2026)

| Plan               | Price                 | Highlights                                                                               |
| ------------------ | --------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Open SourcePopular | $0 (self-hosted, MIT) | Proxy server and SDK · Virtual keys, budgets, rate limits · Fallbacks and load balancing |
| Enterprise         | Custom                | SSO and audit logs · Role-based access · Secret-manager integration                      |

Pricing summary: Free · paid plans by quote. Always confirm current pricing on the official site.

## Key LiteLLM Features

* ✓Proxy server and SDK
* ✓Virtual keys, budgets, rate limits
* ✓Fallbacks and load balancing

### ✓ Pros

* +Free and open source (MIT)
* +No third party in your request path
* +Per-team keys and budgets

### ✗ Cons

* −You run, secure and upgrade it
* −Needs Postgres for keys and spend tracking
* −SSO and audit logs are Enterprise-only

## Best LiteLLM Alternatives

[Compare all ](https://appstackbuilder.com/tool-alternatives/litellm)

[![Helicone logo](https://www.google.com/s2/favicons?domain=helicone.ai&sz=128)HeliconeFree · paid from $79/mo](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/helicone)[![Portkey logo](https://www.google.com/s2/favicons?domain=portkey.ai&sz=128)PortkeyFree · paid from $49/mo](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/portkey)[![Cloudflare AI Gateway logo](https://www.google.com/s2/favicons?domain=cloudflare.com&sz=128)Cloudflare AI GatewayFree · paid from $5/mo](https://appstackbuilder.com/tools/cloudflare-ai-gateway)

## LiteLLM Compared

[LiteLLM vs Helicone](https://appstackbuilder.com/compare/helicone-vs-litellm)[LiteLLM vs Portkey](https://appstackbuilder.com/compare/litellm-vs-portkey)[LiteLLM vs Cloudflare AI Gateway](https://appstackbuilder.com/compare/cloudflare-ai-gateway-vs-litellm)

[In-depth guideOpenRouter vs LiteLLM (2026): Hosted AI Gateway vs Open-Source LLM ProxyOpenRouter is a hosted service: one key, 500+ models, a 5.5% fee on credits. LiteLLM is MIT-licensed software you run yourself, with virtual keys and budgets per team. How each works, what the gateway costs at three spend levels, and why this site runs on OpenRouter.](https://appstackbuilder.com/blog/openrouter-vs-litellm-2026)

## LiteLLM FAQ

What is LiteLLM used for?⌄

LiteLLM is a ai gateways & llm proxies tool. Open-source LLM proxy and Python SDK: one OpenAI-style API for 100+ providers, with virtual keys, budgets and fallbacks you host yourself.

Is LiteLLM free?⌄

Yes — LiteLLM has a free tier you can start with, and paid plans for more usage and features.

How much does LiteLLM cost?⌄

LiteLLM is free to use, with usage-based pricing on some features.

What are the best LiteLLM alternatives?⌄

Popular LiteLLM alternatives include Helicone, Portkey, Cloudflare AI Gateway. Compare pricing and features on our LiteLLM alternatives page.

## Not sure if LiteLLM fits your stack?

Get a free, AI-powered tech stack tailored to your budget, app type, and team size — including the best ai gateways & llm proxies pick for you.

[Build my stack free ](https://appstackbuilder.com/)