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APIs · head to head

LiteLLM vs PubNub

LiteLLM logo

LiteLLM

APIs

The AI Gateway for platform teams

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
PubNub logo

PubNub

APIs

Realtime communication platform for chat, IoT, and live data apps

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: LiteLLM enterprise pricing based on annual request capacity and deployment architecture, sized via direct sales; PubNub free plan storage history is limited to 7 days, which is short for apps needing longer message retention.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LiteLLM and PubNub actually diverge.

Attributes where LiteLLM and PubNub differ
AttributeLiteLLMPubNub
Pricing modelopen-sourcefreemium
PlatformsWebweb, ios, android, api

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (APIs).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in LiteLLM

Nothing recorded that PubNub does not also cover.

Only in PubNub

  • Pub/sub messaging
  • Presence tracking
  • Message persistence
  • Serverless Functions
  • File sharing
  • Encryption and access controls

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

LiteLLM

  • Accessing 140+ LLM providers through single APInot PubNub
  • Implementing cost-based routing for advanced AI tasksnot PubNub
  • Deploying new LLM models usually within a daynot PubNub
  • Switching backend models with config changes onlynot PubNub
  • Maintaining consistent access across 100+ endpointsnot PubNub

PubNub

  • Building realtime chat applicationsnot LiteLLM
  • Streaming live IoT sensor datanot LiteLLM
  • Adding presence indicators to collaborative appsnot LiteLLM
  • Running edge logic with serverless Functions on realtime eventsnot LiteLLM

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

LiteLLM

  • Enterprise pricing based on annual request capacity and deployment architecture, sized via direct sales
  • Not per-token based pricing for Enterprise tier

PubNub

  • Free plan storage history is limited to 7 days, which is short for apps needing longer message retention.
  • MAU-based pricing means costs scale directly with user growth, which can be less predictable than flat message-based pricing.
  • Pro-tier custom pricing above 50,000 MAU requires contacting sales rather than self-serve checkout.

Pricing, plan by plan

LiteLLM

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • 100+ providers
    • One OpenAI API
    • Virtual keys
  • Enterprise$null/mo
    • All Open Source features
    • SSO + SCIM
    • OIDC/JWT authentication

PubNub

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 200 MAU or 1M transactions
    • 1GB data storage (7 days)
    • 5 test Serverless Functions
  • Starter$98/month
    • 1,000 MAU included
    • User management
    • Insights
  • Pro$undefined/month
    • Custom MAU packages
    • Volume discounts
    • Enterprise-scale configurations

Which should you pick?

Choose LiteLLM if

  • You want to start without paying.
LiteLLM review

Choose PubNub if

  • You need pub/sub messaging.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, ios, android, api.
  • You also want presence tracking.
PubNub review

Questions people ask

Is LiteLLM or PubNub better?
Neither clearly leads. LiteLLM starts at Free and PubNub at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LiteLLM or PubNub?
LiteLLM starts at Free and PubNub at Free.
Does LiteLLM or PubNub run on more platforms?
LiteLLM runs on Web. PubNub runs on web, ios, android, api.
Can I use LiteLLM for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is LiteLLM best used for?
LiteLLM is most often used for accessing 140+ llm providers through single api, implementing cost-based routing for advanced ai tasks, deploying new llm models usually within a day, switching backend models with config changes only. Of those, accessing 140+ llm providers through single api and implementing cost-based routing for advanced ai tasks are not what PubNub is typically brought in for.
What can LiteLLM do that PubNub cannot?
PubNub covers Pub/sub messaging, Presence tracking, Message persistence, Serverless Functions.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

LiteLLM: Is LiteLLM free to use?

Yes, LiteLLM's open-source version is free forever and requires no credit card. Self-host in minutes with support for 100+ LLM providers.

Source
PubNub: What does PubNub cost?

PubNub offers a free plan for up to 200 MAU or 1 million transactions, a Starter plan at $98/month for 1,000 MAU, and custom Pro pricing for larger volumes, e.g. around $550/month for 10,000 MAU.

Source
LiteLLM: What does LiteLLM's Enterprise plan cost?

Enterprise pricing is custom and annual, sized based on your annual gateway request capacity, deployment architecture, and support needs. Not charged per token.

Source
PubNub: Is there a free plan, and what are its limits?

Yes, the free plan supports up to 200 monthly active users or 1 million transactions, includes 1GB of data storage retained for 7 days, and requires no credit card.

Source
LiteLLM: Is there a free trial for Enterprise?

Yes, a 30-day Enterprise trial key is available via email with no credit card required.

Source
PubNub: How is usage metered?

PubNub bills primarily by Monthly Active Users, defined as a unique user who connects at least once in a billing cycle; messages are bundled into MAU pricing with no separate per-message fees, and overage is billed proportionally.

Source
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