⚔️ ComparisonUpdated May 2026
OpenRouter vs Together AI
Two of the most popular OpenAI-compatible LLM API providers. OpenRouter offers 200+ models from every major provider. Together AI specializes in fast, cheap open-source inference. Which one is right for you?
OpenRouter
Aggregator for 200+ models. Pay-per-token, no subscription needed.
Reliability88/100
TierTier 1
RegionGlobal
Free TierFreemium (some models free)
OpenAI Compatible✅ Yes
Together AI
Llama 3.x, Qwen2.5, DeepSeek. Great pricing and throughput.
Reliability87/100
TierTier 1
RegionUS
Free TierFree credits ($5)
OpenAI Compatible✅ Yes
⚔️ Side-by-Side Comparison
Detailed breakdown across pricing, speed, models, and features.
| Category | OpenRouter | Together AI | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Pay-per-token (varies by model) | Pay-per-token (flat per model) | OpenRouter |
| Cheapest Model | Free models via freemium tier | Llama 3 70B at $0.90/M | Tie |
| Model Count | 200+ models from all providers | 50+ open-source models | OpenRouter |
| Proprietary Models | GPT-4o, Claude, Gemini available | Open-source only (no GPT/Claude) | OpenRouter |
| Inference Speed | Varies by provider (150-800ms avg) | Consistent 100-300ms | Together AI |
| Free Tier | Freemium — some models free | $5 free credits for new users | Tie |
| Rate Limits | Per-model limits, generally high | Unlimited throughput on paid | Together AI |
| API Compatibility | OpenAI-compatible + custom headers | Full OpenAI-compatible | Tie |
| Streaming Support | SSE streaming supported | SSE streaming supported | Tie |
| Tool Calling | Supported (model-dependent) | Supported (model-dependent) | Tie |
| Region Coverage | Global (routed to nearest provider) | US data centers | OpenRouter |
| Data Privacy | Zero retention by default | Standard data processing | OpenRouter |
| Docs Quality | Excellent — model pages, unified docs | Good — focused on open models | OpenRouter |
| Customer Support | Discord + email, fast response | Email + docs, enterprise SLA | OpenRouter |
| GDPR Compliance | Data processed in US/EU | US-only data processing | OpenRouter |
🏆 Verdict
Final tally and recommendations based on your use case.
8
OpenRouter wins
2
Together AI wins
5
Ties
Choose OpenRouter if...
- • You need access to 200+ models including GPT-4o and Claude
- • You want a single API for all providers
- • You need proprietary models alongside open-source
- • Data privacy and zero-retention are critical
- • You need global routing and fallback options
- • You want to A/B test models without changing providers
Choose Together AI if...
- • You only need open-source models at the best price
- • Throughput and consistent speed are critical
- • You want the cheapest per-token pricing for Llama, Qwen
- • You need unlimited rate limits for production scale
- • You prefer a focused, specialized provider
- • You want flat, predictable per-model pricing
Still deciding?
Browse all deals, compare more providers, or use the cost calculator to find the best fit for your budget.