helicone vs inference-gateway
LLM observability and routing compared
helicone and inference-gateway both help teams work with multiple LLM providers through a gateway. helicone combines routing with request observability and prompt management, while inference-gateway focuses on a Go-based API layer with integrations for tools, agents, authentication and telemetry.
helicone: Monitor and Route LLM Requests
Helicone is a TypeScript platform for observing LLM requests and routing them across model providers. It helps AI teams inspect traces, track cost and latency, manage prompts, and self-host the observability stack.
inference-gateway: Unify LLM Providers Behind One API
A Go-based, cloud-native gateway that puts multiple LLM providers behind one OpenAI-compatible API. It supports cloud and self-hosted models, with integrations for MCP, A2A, guardrails and OpenTelemetry.
| helicone | inference-gateway | |
|---|---|---|
| Language | TypeScript | Go |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Stars | 6.2k | 215 |
| Forks | 683 | 48 |
| Last analyzed | Oct 7, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 |
Key differences
- helicone combines gateway routing with inspection of requests, traces and sessions, cost and latency tracking, and prompt testing and versioning; inference-gateway centers on routing requests through one OpenAI-compatible API.
- helicone is written in TypeScript and inference-gateway is written in Go.
- helicone documents routing to more than 100 models with intelligent routing and automatic fallbacks; inference-gateway selects providers using the model name or an explicit provider parameter.
- helicone supports self-hosting its observability platform with Docker Compose and documents a multi-service architecture; inference-gateway runs as a container or binary and supports Kubernetes deployment.
- inference-gateway includes optional MCP and A2A integrations, OIDC authentication, OPA/Rego guardrails and OpenTelemetry metrics; helicone emphasizes observability, prompt workflows and provider integrations.
- Both projects use the Apache-2.0 license and are not archived. helicone has 6.2k stars and inference-gateway has 215 stars.
Choose helicone if you…
- need to inspect LLM requests and sessions while tracking cost and latency.
- want to manage prompt versions and test changes in a playground using production data.
- plan to self-host an observability platform with Docker Compose.
Choose inference-gateway if you…
- want one OpenAI-compatible API for cloud and self-hosted models.
- need gateway integrations for MCP tools, A2A agents, authentication, guardrails or telemetry.
- plan to deploy a Go gateway as a container or on Kubernetes.
Compare the numbers side by side, or add more projects
This comparison is generated with AI from the OSRepos analyses of both projects. Always check each project's repository and documentation before choosing.