What is LiteLLM?
LiteLLM is an open-source gateway that simplifies access to over 100 large language models (LLMs). It helps users track spending, set fallbacks, and control model usage—all while using the OpenAI API format. This tool provides a centralized way to manage multiple AI models, ensuring flexibility and cost control.
Features & Benefits
- Logging + Spend Tracking – Logs requests, responses, and usage data to S3, Datadog, OTEL, and Langfuse.
- Control Model Access – Restricts access to models via virtual keys, teams, and model access groups.
- Budgets & Rate Limits – Tracks spending and sets budget limits for models, keys, teams, and tags.
- Pass-through Endpoints – Allows easy project migration with built-in spend tracking and logging.
- OpenAI-Compatible API – Supports over 100 LLMs using OpenAI’s API format (chat/completion, embedding, etc.).
- Self-serve Portal – Provides teams with a self-service key management portal for production use.
- SOC 2 Compliance – Ensures security and data protection for enterprise users.
Real-World Applications
Businesses using multiple AI models can track spending and set budgets with LiteLLM. A company running AI chatbots across teams can control costs by assigning virtual keys and monitoring usage per department.
Reliability is key for AI applications. If one model fails, LiteLLM automatically switches to another. This ensures smooth operation for AI-driven support systems, preventing downtime and poor user experiences.
Teams needing controlled access can use LiteLLM’s self-service portal to manage API keys. A research lab working with multiple LLMs can track usage while maintaining security and cost control.
