LiteLLM vs Apache APISIX

LiteLLM8.8Visit Apache APISIX8.4Visit

Higher score LiteLLM #4 in LLM Gateway Software 8.8/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit LiteLLM

vs

Apache APISIX #6 in LLM Gateway Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Apache APISIX

• LiteLLM fits best

  Teams wanting a complete open-source gateway

• Apache APISIX fits best

  Self-hosted Kubernetes gateway operators

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Side by side

Feature	LiteLLM 8.8/10 Visit ↗	Apache APISIX 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.4
Ranking	#4 in LLM Gateway Software	#6 in LLM Gateway Software
Best for	Teams wanting a complete open-source gateway	Self-hosted Kubernetes gateway operators
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	—	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	30 days	—
Deployment	Self-hosted	Self-hosted
Platforms	Web	Linux
Support	Community, Docs · 24/7	Community, Docs
Integrations	11 integrations	5 integrations
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features LiteLLM 5/5 · Apache APISIX 0/5
Fallback routing	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Usage analytics	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Self-hosted deployment	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Budget controls	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Virtual API keys	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Provider count	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	OpenAI-compatible API across 100+ providers Routing, retries, fallbacks, budgets, and rate limits Self-hosting with virtual keys and usage analytics	100+ gateway and AI plugins with routing and security controls Kubernetes Ingress, Gateway API, and Helm integration Supports HTTP, gRPC, WebSocket, MQTT, TCP, UDP, and HTTP/3
Cons	Enterprise pricing is quote-based SSO and SCIM are part of the Enterprise edition The platform is geared toward teams managing multiple providers	Self-hosted deployment requires teams to operate the gateway Community and documentation are the listed support channels The broad feature set may require more gateway administration
Our verdict	LiteLLM is an open-source LLM gateway and Python SDK for platform teams and developers managing access to multiple model providers. Its OpenAI-compatible API translates requests to provider endpoints, while routing, retries, fallbacks,… Read the review →	Apache APISIX is an open-source API and AI gateway for teams operating APIs, microservices, and multi-protocol traffic in cloud-native environments. Its fit is strongest for small, mid-market, and enterprise teams that want to run their… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• LiteLLM — where it wins

  • OpenAI-compatible API across 100+ providers
  • Routing, retries, fallbacks, budgets, and rate limits
  • Self-hosting with virtual keys and usage analytics

  Where it doesn't

  • Enterprise pricing is quote-based
  • SSO and SCIM are part of the Enterprise edition
  • The platform is geared toward teams managing multiple providers

• Apache APISIX — where it wins

  • 100+ gateway and AI plugins with routing and security controls
  • Kubernetes Ingress, Gateway API, and Helm integration
  • Supports HTTP, gRPC, WebSocket, MQTT, TCP, UDP, and HTTP/3

  Where it doesn't

  • Self-hosted deployment requires teams to operate the gateway
  • Community and documentation are the listed support channels
  • The broad feature set may require more gateway administration

• LiteLLM8.8/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  A complete open-source gateway for multi-provider routing, controls, and observability.

  Visit LiteLLMFull verdict →
• Apache APISIX8.4/10 · Free plan

  A flexible self-hosted gateway for Kubernetes teams managing APIs, AI traffic, and multiple protocols.

  Visit Apache APISIXFull verdict →