# Alternatives to OpenRouter

> Source: https://theagentsindex.com/openrouter/alternatives/ (re-verified)
> Updated: 1 November 2026

## At a glance

| Name | Best for | Starts at | Better than OpenRouter at | Checked |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [OpenRouter](https://theagentsindex.com/openrouter.md) | Developers building model-flexible AI products across providers | Free | — | 29 October 2026 |
| [LiteLLM](https://theagentsindex.com/litellm.md) | Platform teams operating production AI across models, agents and MCP tools | Free | Data residency | 29 October 2026 |
| [Portkey](https://theagentsindex.com/portkey.md) | AI teams running production applications across multiple LLM providers | Free, then $49 a month | Open source, Licence | 29 October 2026 |

The ones people open most here come first, then the closest matches.

## Shortlist

### 1. LiteLLM

Self-hosted open-source gateway that puts models, agents and MCP tools behind one API.

**Where it improves on OpenRouter:**
- [Data residency: yes — Self-hosted deployments keep processed data in the buyer's infrastructure, so the chosen deployment location determines residency.](https://docs.litellm.ai/docs/data_security)

**Trade-offs against OpenRouter:**
- [How it meters: partial — The OSS gateway has no license fee, while Enterprise is an annual quote based on request capacity, deployment architecture, and support needs.](https://www.litellm.ai/pricing)

[View LiteLLM](https://theagentsindex.com/litellm)

### 2. Portkey

An open-source AI gateway that unifies model access with governance and LLM observability.

**Where it improves on OpenRouter:**
- [Open source: yes — Portkey publishes its AI Gateway as an open-source component alongside separately sold managed plans.](https://portkey.ai/docs/product/open-source.md)
- [Licence: partial — The AI Gateway is open source, while the vendor also sells managed Developer, Production, and Enterprise plans.](https://portkey.ai/docs/product/product-feature-comparison.md)

**Trade-offs against OpenRouter:**
- [Admin controls: partial — Enterprise administrators can control model access, workspace budgets, rate limits, and permissions, but these controls are not product-wide.](https://portkey.ai/docs/product/enterprise-offering/security-portkey.md)
- [Getting out: partial — Enterprise customers can export structured log data, while the vendor does not state a policy for unused credits or their expiry.](https://portkey.ai/docs/product/observability/logs-export.md)

[View Portkey](https://theagentsindex.com/portkey)