What is an LLM Gateway?
An LLM gateway sits between your app and LLM providers, delivering a unified API + failover + caching + cost tracking.
TL;DR: LLM request proxy comparison. LiteLLM (open source, 200+ models), Bifrost (fastest, <100µs), Portkey (enterprise-grade), OpenRouter (pay-per-use).
Comparison
LiteLLM — Open source and flexible; 200+ models
Bifrost — Lowest latency; Claude Code integration
Portkey — Enterprise compliance and guardrails
OpenRouter — Simple pay-per-use
Cost Optimization
Model routing (simple → cheap, complex → premium) + caching + fallback chains + budget limits.
FAQ
Q: Do I need a gateway? A: Yes in production; call APIs directly during prototyping.