Development/Aggregation platform/AI Tool/Source: AIStart.ai

LiteLLM

LLM Gateway by Berri AI to manage authentication, load balancing, and spend tracking across 100+ LLMs, all in the OpenAI format.

Overview

LiteLLM is an AI gateway built by Berri AI, backed by Y Combinator, that provides model access, fallbacks, and spend tracking across 100+ LLMs. It uses the OpenAI-compatible format, so developers can switch between providers without rewriting code. The platform has served over 1 billion requests and logged 240 million Docker pulls, with 1,005+ contributors. It simplifies how platform teams give developers access to LLMs like OpenAI, Azure, Gemini, Bedrock, and Anthropic.

Application scenarios

Multi-provider LLM access

Give developers access to OpenAI, Azure, Gemini, Bedrock, and Anthropic models through a single gateway.

Cost tracking and chargebacks

Accurately charge teams for their LLM usage by attributing cost to keys, users, teams, or orgs.

Budget and rate limit management

Set budgets and rate limits (RPM/TPM) to control spending and prevent overuse.

LLM fallbacks

Automatically route requests to alternative models if the primary provider fails or is overloaded.

Observability and logging

Log spend to S3, GCS, or other storage, and integrate with observability tools like Langfuse, Arize Phoenix, Langsmith, and OpenTelemetry.

Prompt management

Manage and format prompts, including support for Hugging Face models.

Enterprise access control

Use JWT auth, SSO, and audit logs for secure, governed LLM access in large organizations.

Core features

Spend tracking

Attribute cost to key/user/team/org with automatic tracking across OpenAI, Azure, Bedrock, GCP, and other providers, plus tag-based spend tracking.

Budgets and rate limits

Set per-key or per-team budgets and enforce RPM/TPM limits to control usage.

OpenAI-compatible API

All requests use the OpenAI format, so developers don't need to transform inputs or outputs across providers.

LLM fallbacks

Configure automatic fallbacks to alternative models if the primary provider is unavailable.

Virtual keys and teams

Create virtual API keys, manage teams, and assign budgets at scale.

LLM guardrails

Apply guardrails to filter or modify LLM outputs for safety and compliance.

Batch API support

Process multiple requests in batch for efficiency.

Pass-through endpoints

Forward requests directly to underlying providers when needed.

Target users

Platform teams and engineering leaders who need to give developers secure, cost-controlled access to multiple LLMs. Ideal for organizations scaling from a few developers to hundreds, especially those using Netflix, Lemonade, or similar high-volume environments. Also useful for DevOps, MLOps, and AI infrastructure engineers managing LLM governance.

How to use

Deploy LiteLLM on-premises or use the cloud-hosted version. Developers interact with it via the OpenAI-compatible API, so they can call any supported model using familiar code. For self-hosted setups, follow the deployment docs on the official site. The platform includes a demo video to walk through setup and key features.

Effect review

LiteLLM is a practical, battle-tested gateway for teams juggling multiple LLM providers. The 1 billion+ requests served and positive testimonials from Netflix and Lemonade confirm it handles real production loads. The OpenAI-compatible format eliminates the friction of switching models, while granular cost tracking and budget controls give platform teams the visibility they need. For organizations already using multiple LLMs, LiteLLM removes a lot of operational overhead. The open-source tier is generous, and the enterprise plan adds the security and support large teams require. It’s a solid choice for any team that wants to standardize LLM access without vendor lock-in.

Frequently asked questions

What is LiteLLM?

LiteLLM is an LLM gateway by Berri AI that provides a unified OpenAI-format API to manage authentication, load balancing, and spend tracking across 100+ language models.

Which LLMs does LiteLLM support?

LiteLLM supports over 100 LLMs, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Cohere, Hugging Face, and many others, all accessible through a single endpoint.

How does LiteLLM handle load balancing?

LiteLLM automatically distributes requests across multiple models or providers based on configurable rules, ensuring high availability and optimal performance.

Can LiteLLM track API spending?

Yes, LiteLLM provides built-in spend tracking and logging, allowing you to monitor usage and costs across all models and users in real time.

Is LiteLLM compatible with existing OpenAI code?

Yes, LiteLLM uses the OpenAI format, so you can replace the base URL in your existing code with the LiteLLM endpoint without changing your application logic.

Does LiteLLM offer authentication management?

Yes, LiteLLM includes authentication management features such as API key validation, user-level access control, and rate limiting to secure your LLM usage.

Launch URL

Tool URL
https://litellm.ai/

Tags

Aggregation platformDevelopmentLLM GatewayLoad BalancingMulti-LLM ManagementOpenAI FormatSpend Tracking

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