Ranked comparison

LLM API: One Integration, Every Major Model

You should not need six SDKs, six billing accounts, and six error-handling paths to use six models. A unified LLM API gives you one key for all of them.

Free preview, Starter for the Auto lane, Teams for manual GPT, Claude, and Gemini Pro access. Add-on credits kick in after included plan tokens are used.

Start on cheap auto-routed models first, then move up only when your workload truly needs premium manual control.

Why teams start here first
Free preview
5 messages to try it
No card required to see how Auto routing feels before you commit.
Starter
Auto lane only
Curated cheap model pool with no manual premium-model selection.
Teams
Premium when you need it
Manual GPT, Claude, and Gemini Pro access starts here.
Billing
Plan tokens first
Add-on credits only extend usage after included plan tokens are exhausted.
Evaluation criteria
Model coveragePricing transparencyReliability and uptimeDeveloper experienceUnique capabilities
1
LLMWiseLLMWise

Not just a proxy - it actually does things other APIs cannot. Send the same prompt to four models at once and see results stream in parallel. Or let one model critique another's output. Or blend multiple responses into a single synthesis. These are native API operations, not hacks.

Multi-model orchestration built into the API, not bolted onAuto-routing picks the best model per request with zero configurationBYOK support - use your own provider keys and skip credit charges
2
OpenRouterOpenRouter

The widest model selection - 300+ models including niche and fine-tuned variants. The 5% markup is reasonable for the convenience. Best for prototyping when you want to try many models quickly.

Largest model catalog of any unified APIOpenAI-compatible format for easy migrationCommunity-driven pricing transparency
3
Together AITogether AI

The best option for open-source model inference. Fast hosting of Llama, Mistral, and other open models with fine-tuning support. Not a gateway - you are using Together's infrastructure, not routing to other providers.

Fast inference for open-source modelsFine-tuning and custom model hostingCompetitive pricing on open models
4
Fireworks AIFireworks AI

Optimized for throughput. If you need to process large batches of LLM requests fast, Fireworks' infrastructure is tuned for high-volume workloads.

Throughput-optimized inference infrastructureFunction-calling and structured output supportCompetitive per-token pricing at scale
5
GroqGroq

The fastest inference available. Groq's custom LPU hardware delivers sub-100ms time-to-first-token on supported models. Limited model selection but unbeatable speed for real-time applications.

Custom LPU hardware for ultra-fast inferenceSub-100ms TTFT for supported modelsFree tier available for experimentation
Evidence snapshot

LLM API: One Integration, Every Major Model scoring method

Ranking evidence from practical criteria teams use for real production traffic.

Criteria
5
evaluation dimensions used
Models ranked
5
candidates evaluated
Top pick
LLMWise
current #1 recommendation
FAQ coverage
4
selection objections addressed
Our recommendation

LLMWise is the best choice for teams building production AI features that need reliability, cost control, and multi-model orchestration. OpenRouter is the fastest way to experiment with many models. Together AI and Fireworks AI are best for open-source model inference. Groq wins on raw speed.

Use LLMWise Compare mode to verify these rankings on your own prompts.

Try it yourself

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Common questions

What is a unified LLM API?
A unified LLM API provides a single endpoint and API key to access models from multiple providers - OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta, and others. Instead of managing separate integrations, you call one API and specify which model you want. This simplifies billing, error handling, and model switching.
Is there a free LLM API?
Several options exist. LLMWise includes trial credits on signup. OpenRouter has free open-source model variants. Groq offers a free tier for low-volume usage. The honest answer is that sustained production usage always requires payment - LLM inference is expensive, and truly free APIs are not sustainable at scale.
What is the cheapest LLM API?
For pay-per-token pricing, Together AI and Fireworks AI offer competitive rates on open-source models. LLMWise's auto-routing saves 25-40% by directing simple queries to cheaper models automatically. The cheapest option depends on your volume and model requirements.
Can I use my existing OpenAI code with a unified LLM API?
Most unified APIs support OpenAI-compatible message format (role + content). LLMWise and OpenRouter both accept the same message structure, so migration is typically a matter of changing the endpoint URL and API key, not rewriting prompts or code.

Start on Auto, move up only when you need it

Free preview, Starter for the Auto lane, Teams for manual GPT, Claude, and Gemini Pro access. Add-on credits kick in after included plan tokens are used.

Start on cheap auto-routed models first, then move up only when your workload truly needs premium manual control.

Starter Auto laneTeams premium manual accessPlan tokens + add-ons
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