Head-to-head · Byok System
TensorZero vs Envoy AI Gateway
TensorZero leads on 0 checks, Envoy AI Gateway on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreTensorZero · 8.6/10
- Free planboth
TensorZero scores higher on our rubric for byok system: 8.6 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #6.
TensorZero is the better fit for teams able to manage an unmaintained self-hosted gateway. Envoy AI Gateway is the better fit for kubernetes teams needing open-source routing control.
- TensorZero fits best
Teams able to manage an unmaintained self-hosted gateway
- Envoy AI Gateway fits best
Kubernetes teams needing open-source routing control
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Side by side
| Feature | TensorZero 8.6/10 Visit ↗ | Envoy AI Gateway 8.4/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.6 | 8.4 |
| Ranking | #5 in Byok System | #6 in Byok System |
| Best for | Teams able to manage an unmaintained self-hosted gateway | Kubernetes teams needing open-source routing control |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Free plan | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Self-hosted | Self-hosted |
| Support | Email, Community, Docs | Community, Docs |
| Integrations | 20 integrations | 16 integrations |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features TensorZero 0/3 · Envoy AI Gateway 0/3 | ||
| Request routing | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Team key sharing | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Self-hosting | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Key storage | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Supported providers | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Usage limits | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | TensorZero combined an open-source LLM gateway with observability, evaluations, optimization, and experimentation. It was aimed at teams that wanted to route requests across model providers through a unified API, while tracking usage and… Read the review → |
Teams building Kubernetes-based AI infrastructure may consider Envoy AI Gateway, an open-source gateway for routing application requests to hosted LLM providers and self-hosted models. It presents a unified API for multiple providers and… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
TensorZero — where it wins
- Unifies access to multiple LLM providers through one API
- Combines fallbacks, analytics, cost tracking, and experimentation
- Open-source and self-hosted, with API-key authentication
Where it doesn't
- The project is no longer maintained
- Archived on GitHub on June 12, 2026
- Self-hosted deployment places operational responsibility on your team
Envoy AI Gateway — where it wins
- Routes across hosted providers and self-hosted model endpoints
- Supports failover, weighted backends, token limits, and usage budgets
- Provides traffic, performance, usage, and cost observability
Where it doesn't
- Deployment is self-hosted rather than a managed service
- Kubernetes installation uses Helm charts, so it favors Kubernetes teams
- Support channels are limited to community and documentation
- TensorZero8.6/10 · Free plan
A capable self-hosted LLM gateway, but its project is no longer maintained.
View TensorZeroFull verdict → - Envoy AI Gateway8.4/10 · Free plan
A Kubernetes-oriented open-source gateway for routing, governing, and observing LLM traffic.
Visit Agent RouterFull verdict →
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All byok system comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update




