Best-of list
Best AI API gateways: open-source & hosted LLM routers compared
One API for many AI models: the three gateways that matter in 2026 — a free open-source router, a hosted credit-based hub, and a self-hosted enterprise proxy — with pricing notes.
How this list works
OmniRoute
OmniRoute is a free, MIT-licensed, self-hosted gateway with 268 providers reachable through one local endpoint, 90+ with documented free tiers and 11 free-forever providers. No subscription, no credit card — the cost is the machine you run it on. Best for budget-first creators and developers who want free model access without per-token fees.
Starting point: Free and open source (MIT). · Free tier: Yes — Entirely free and open source (MIT, github.com/diegosouzapw/OmniRoute) - self-hosted, no...
OpenRouter
OpenRouter is the hosted option: 500+ models from 80+ providers behind one API key with prepaid credits, 0% markup pass-through, and a 5.5% platform fee on credit purchases ($0.80 minimum). A free tier gives 25+ free models at 50 requests/day. Best for teams that want zero infrastructure and one bill.
Starting point: Pay-as-you-go with prepaid credits (USD); no per-token markup, 5.5% platform fee on credit top-ups. · Free tier: Yes — Free tier includes 25+ free models across 4 providers with 50 requests/day; limits scale with...
LiteLLM
LiteLLM is a free open-source gateway (100+ providers) with virtual keys, budgets, rate limits, LLM fallbacks, and request logging — plus an Enterprise edition priced annually by request capacity, never per token. Best for platform teams that need spend governance and self-hosting.
Starting point: Open source and self-hosted is free forever ($0): 100+ providers behind one OpenAI-compatible API with... · Free tier: Free tier available
Related infrastructure & deployment
Calculate self-hosted infrastructure costs: AI Website & Hosting Cost Calculator (Hostinger VPS vs cloud droplets for 24/7 gateway uptime), or compare OmniRoute vs OpenRouter and 9Router vs OmniRoute.
Sources
Every claim on this page traces to the official product page of each listed tool. Free-tier details and pricing change often — open the official source before relying on a number.
- OmniRoute — omniroute.online
- OmniRoute — github.com — Omniroute
- OpenRouter — openrouter.ai
- OpenRouter — openrouter.ai — Pricing
- OpenRouter — openrouter.ai — Faq
- OpenRouter — openrouter.ai — Terms
- LiteLLM — litellm.ai
- LiteLLM — litellm.ai — Pricing
- LiteLLM — github.com — Litellm
- LiteLLM — docs.litellm.ai — Enterprise
- LiteLLM — github.com — 24518
Frequently asked questions
Is LiteLLM safe after the March 2026 supply-chain attack?
On March 24, 2026, PyPI releases 1.82.7 and 1.82.8 of litellm were published with credential-stealing malware and were live for about 40 minutes; roughly 2,500 organizations were potentially exposed. The project remains widely used, but self-hosters should pin versions and verify checksums. See the tool profile for the verified timeline and official advisory links.
What is an AI API gateway?
Software that routes API requests to many LLM providers through one OpenAI-compatible endpoint, adding fallbacks, spend tracking, and key management. OmniRoute, OpenRouter, and LiteLLM are three popular options.
Which AI gateway is free?
OmniRoute and LiteLLM are both free open-source gateways you self-host. OpenRouter has a free tier (25+ free models, 50 requests/day) but is otherwise paid by prepaid credits.
Is a self-hosted gateway hard to run?
Moderate: you manage installation, the database (LiteLLM uses PostgreSQL), uptime, and upgrades. Hosted OpenRouter removes that work in exchange for a 5.5% credit fee.
Can I use these with Claude Code or Cursor?
Yes — all three expose OpenAI-compatible APIs, so you point the tool at the gateway's base URL and pick models. Check each project's docs for the current setup flow.