# LiteLLM: Free Open Source Alternative to Cloudflare AI Gateway, Eden AI, Kong AI Gateway

Canonical: https://caniforkit.com/fork/litellm
Last updated: 2026-11-07

LiteLLM (Open Source, Open Source) replaces Cloudflare AI Gateway, Eden AI, Kong AI Gateway, Msty Nexus. Acts as a unified proxy across 100+ LLMs, normalizing them to the OpenAI format while handling virtual keys, budgets, rate limits, fallbacks, and cost tracking.

## Tool Specifications
- **Tool Name**: LiteLLM
- **Type**: Open Source Project
- **License**: Open Source
- **Official Website**: https://www.litellm.ai/
- **GitHub Repository**: https://github.com/berriai/litellm
- **GitHub Stars**: ★ 62.9k
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **Maintenance Status**: nov 2026
- **Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host
- **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/berriai/litellm or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup Requirements**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- **The Catch / Limitation**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Cloudflare AI Gateway.

## Paid SaaS Applications Replaced (8)
Replacing these paid tools with LiteLLM saves up to $200/mo ($2,400/yr) in software subscriptions:

| Replaced Software | Category | SaaS Price | Comparison Guide |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Cloudflare AI Gateway](https://caniforkit.com/cloudflare-ai-gateway) | [dev tools](https://caniforkit.com/category/dev-tools) | $25/mo | [Compare Cloudflare AI Gateway vs LiteLLM](https://caniforkit.com/vs/cloudflare-ai-gateway-vs-litellm) |
| [Eden AI](https://caniforkit.com/eden-ai) | [dev tools](https://caniforkit.com/category/dev-tools) | $25/mo | [Compare Eden AI vs LiteLLM](https://caniforkit.com/vs/eden-ai-vs-litellm) |
| [Kong AI Gateway](https://caniforkit.com/kong-ai-gateway) | [dev tools](https://caniforkit.com/category/dev-tools) | $25/mo | [Compare Kong AI Gateway vs LiteLLM](https://caniforkit.com/vs/kong-ai-gateway-vs-litellm) |
| [Msty Nexus](https://caniforkit.com/msty-nexus) | [dev tools](https://caniforkit.com/category/dev-tools) | $25/mo | [Compare Msty Nexus vs LiteLLM](https://caniforkit.com/vs/msty-nexus-vs-litellm) |
| [OpenRouter](https://caniforkit.com/openrouter) | [dev tools](https://caniforkit.com/category/dev-tools) | $25/mo | [Compare OpenRouter vs LiteLLM](https://caniforkit.com/vs/openrouter-vs-litellm) |
| [Requesty](https://caniforkit.com/requesty) | [dev tools](https://caniforkit.com/category/dev-tools) | $25/mo | [Compare Requesty vs LiteLLM](https://caniforkit.com/vs/requesty-vs-litellm) |
| [Router](https://caniforkit.com/router) | [dev tools](https://caniforkit.com/category/dev-tools) | $25/mo | [Compare Router vs LiteLLM](https://caniforkit.com/vs/router-vs-litellm) |
| [Vercel AI Gateway](https://caniforkit.com/vercel-ai-gateway) | [dev tools](https://caniforkit.com/category/dev-tools) | $25/mo | [Compare Vercel AI Gateway vs LiteLLM](https://caniforkit.com/vs/vercel-ai-gateway-vs-litellm) |

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is LiteLLM free and open source?
LiteLLM is an open source tool licensed under Open Source that runs on self-host. Acts as a unified proxy across 100+ LLMs, normalizing them to the OpenAI format while handling virtual keys, budgets, rate limits, fallbacks, and cost tracking.

### What is the trade-off or limitation of using LiteLLM?
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Cloudflare AI Gateway.

## Related

- [Self-Hosted Open Source Directory](https://caniforkit.com/self-hosted)
- [All Paid SaaS Alternatives Index](https://caniforkit.com/alternatives)
- [Software Categories Directory](https://caniforkit.com/categories)
- [Homepage](https://caniforkit.com)