# Groq vs OpenRouter

> Groq: Fast, OpenAI-compatible inference API for open models, running on custom LPU chips
> OpenRouter: One API and one bill for hundreds of AI models across many providers

- Groq profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/groq
- OpenRouter profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/openrouter
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/groq-vs-openrouter
- Last reviewed: November 2026

## Verdict

Groq and OpenRouter are both Developer Tools tools. Groq scores higher in FinderAtlas's editorial review (8.6 vs 8.3 out of 10). Both have a free plan or trial.

### Choose Groq if

- You want a tool built for Low-latency LLM API calls.
- Listed speeds of about 280 to 1,000 tokens per second on hosted models.
- OpenAI-compatible API and Responses API support, so migration is mostly a base URL change.

### Choose OpenRouter if

- You want a tool built for switching or comparing models without code changes, adding provider fallbacks, consolidating LLM billing across vendors.
- Single OpenAI-compatible endpoint covering 500+ models from 80+ providers, so switching models rarely needs code changes.
- Inference passes through at provider list prices with no markup and no minimums or lock-in.

## Pricing

| | Groq | OpenRouter |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan or trial | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |

## Features

| Feature | Groq | OpenRouter |
| --- | --- | --- |
| LPU inference | Yes | Not listed |
| OpenAI-compatible API | Yes | Not listed |
| Open model catalog | Yes | Not listed |
| Speech models | Yes | Not listed |
| Built-in tools and MCP | Yes | Not listed |
| Batch and Flex tiers | Yes | Not listed |
| Structured outputs and reasoning | Yes | Not listed |
| Spend limits and projects | Yes | Not listed |
| LoRA inference | Yes | Not listed |
| Unified API | Not listed | Yes |
| Automatic Fallbacks | Not listed | Yes |
| Auto-Routing and Provider Controls | Not listed | Yes |
| Free Models | Not listed | Yes |
| Prompt Caching | Not listed | Yes |
| Bring Your Own Key | Not listed | Yes |
| Multimodal Models | Not listed | Yes |
| Rankings and Benchmarks | Not listed | Yes |
| Regional Routing and Private Endpoints | Not listed | Yes |
| Hosted MCP Server | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

| Platform | Groq | OpenRouter |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | No | No |
| macOS | No | No |
| iOS | No | No |
| Android | No | No |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Browser Extension | No | No |

## Groq strengths

- Listed speeds of about 280 to 1,000 tokens per second on hosted models
- OpenAI-compatible API and Responses API support, so migration is mostly a base URL change
- Free tier with an API key, and pay-as-you-go pricing with no monthly fee
- Low per-token prices, for example $0.15 input and $0.60 output per 1M tokens for GPT OSS 120B
- Includes speech-to-text and text-to-speech models alongside text models

## Groq limitations

- Only hosts a curated set of open models; no proprietary frontier models such as GPT or Claude
- Some models, including Llama 3.3 70B, are enterprise-only and require contacting sales
- Free tier rate limits are low for production use
- No public pricing page on groq.com; prices sit in the developer docs
- Preview models can be discontinued at short notice

## OpenRouter strengths

- Single OpenAI-compatible endpoint covering 500+ models from 80+ providers, so switching models rarely needs code changes.
- Inference passes through at provider list prices with no markup and no minimums or lock-in.
- Automatic provider fallbacks reduce exposure to outages and rate limits.
- Free models and a free router allow testing without paying.
- Enterprise options include SSO/SAML, SLAs, EU and US in-region routing and private endpoints.

## OpenRouter limitations

- A 5.5% (Standard) or 8% (Business) platform fee applies to every credit purchase, and platform fees are non-refundable.
- The free tier has no auto-routing, budgets, prompt caching or BYOK, and is limited to 50 requests per day.
- No official mobile app or desktop client; mobile access is through third-party clients.
- Business and Enterprise pricing, and the Stripe acquisition announced in August 2026, add some uncertainty about future terms.

## FAQ

**Is Groq better than OpenRouter?**

It depends on your workflow. Groq is built for Low-latency LLM API calls. OpenRouter is built for switching or comparing models without code changes, adding provider fallbacks, consolidating LLM billing across vendors.

**What are the key feature differences between Groq and OpenRouter?**

Groq: Fast, OpenAI-compatible inference API for open models, running on custom LPU chips. OpenRouter: One API and one bill for hundreds of AI models across many providers. OpenRouter is rated 4.5/5 from 2 user reviews.

**Does Groq or OpenRouter have a free plan?**

Yes, both do. Groq is freemium and OpenRouter is freemium, and each has a free plan or trial.

**Which is cheaper, Groq or OpenRouter?**

Both can be used for free. Paid plans differ in limits and features, so compare the tiers in the pricing table above.