The explosion of AI models has created a new challenge for developers: how do you efficiently manage multiple LLM providers without getting locked into a single vendor? Whether you're building a chatbot, AI agent, or enterprise application, you need a way to route requests, handle failures, and control costs across different models.
This brings us to the classic "build vs buy" dilemma, but with a modern twist. Today, you have three options: build your own router, use an open-source solution like LiteLLM or Helicone, or go with a managed SaaS platform like Requesty. Each path has its trade-offs, and the right choice depends on your specific needs, resources, and constraints.
Let's dive deep into what each option offers and help you make the best decision for your AI infrastructure.
What Are LLM Routers and Why Do You Need One?
LLM routers act as intelligent middleware between your application and multiple AI providers. Think of them as smart traffic controllers that:
Unify different provider APIs into a single interface
Automatically switch between models based on availability, cost, or performance
Cache responses to reduce costs and latency
Track usage and spending across all providers
Handle authentication and rate limiting
Without a router, you're stuck managing multiple API integrations, building your own failover logic, and manually tracking costs across providers. It's like trying to manage a fleet of vehicles without a central dispatch system.
The Open-Source Option: LiteLLM and Helicone
Open-source routers have matured significantly, offering enterprise-ready features without vendor lock-in. Let's examine the two leading options.
LiteLLM: The Python Powerhouse
LiteLLM is a self-hosted router that gives you complete control over your AI infrastructure. Key features include:
Extensive Model Support: 100+ models across 20+ providers
Flexible Deployment: Run on-premises, in your private cloud, or locally
Advanced Routing: Custom logic based on latency, cost, or usage patterns
Team Management: Virtual keys, budget controls, and granular access
Full Data Control: Your data never leaves your infrastructure
The setup takes 15-30 minutes and requires Python expertise. You'll need to manage YAML configurations and handle your own scaling, but in return, you get unlimited customization.
Helicone: Built for Speed
Written in Rust, Helicone focuses on performance and observability:
Lightning Fast: 8ms P50 latency with horizontal scaling
Smart Caching: Redis-based caching can reduce costs by up to 95%
Enterprise Security: SOC2/HIPAA/GDPR compliant with audit trails
Advanced Routing: Health-aware load balancing and regional routing
Rich Analytics: Native dashboards with real-time cost and performance tracking
Helicone can be deployed in under 5 minutes using Docker or Kubernetes, making it more accessible than LiteLLM while still offering deep customization.
The SaaS Alternative: Why Requesty Changes the Game
While open-source solutions offer control and customization, they come with hidden costs: infrastructure management, security updates, scaling challenges, and the need for dedicated DevOps resources. This is where Requesty shines as a managed solution that gives you the best of both worlds.
Instant Setup, Zero Infrastructure
With Requesty, you're up and running in minutes, not hours. Our quickstart guide shows how simple it is:
No servers to provision or maintain
No complex YAML configurations
No infrastructure scaling worries
Automatic updates and security patches
You get enterprise-grade routing without the enterprise-grade headaches.
Unmatched Model Coverage
Requesty supports 160+ models including the latest Claude 4, DeepSeek R1, and GPT-4o. Our smart routing automatically selects the best model for each request based on:
Task requirements
Cost optimization
Latency constraints
Model availability
This means you're always using the optimal model without manual intervention.
Enterprise Features Without the Complexity
Unlike open-source solutions that require you to build enterprise features yourself, Requesty includes them out of the box:
[Security Guardrails](https://www.requesty.ai/security): Automatic prompt injection protection, PII redaction, and compliance controls
[User Management](https://www.requesty.ai/enterprise): SSO integration, role-based access, and spend limits per team
[Advanced Caching](https://docs.requesty.ai/features/auto-caching): Intelligent response caching that can reduce costs by up to 80%
[Failover Policies](https://docs.requesty.ai/features/fallback-policies): Automatic rerouting when models are down or rate-limited
Real Cost Savings
While open-source seems "free," the total cost of ownership tells a different story. Consider:
Infrastructure costs: Servers, load balancers, monitoring
Engineering time: Setup, maintenance, troubleshooting
Opportunity cost: Time spent on infrastructure instead of your core product
Requesty customers typically see 80% cost savings through our optimization features, often offsetting the entire platform cost while eliminating infrastructure overhead.
Making the Right Choice: Decision Framework
Here's how to decide which approach fits your needs:
Choose Open-Source (LiteLLM/Helicone) When:
You have strict data residency requirements
Your team has strong DevOps capabilities
You need deep customization of routing logic
You're processing extremely high volumes (millions of requests daily)
Compliance requires on-premises deployment
Choose Requesty When:
You want to focus on building your product, not infrastructure
You need enterprise features without enterprise complexity
You value automatic updates and managed security
You want instant access to new models as they're released
You need reliable support and SLAs
Cost predictability matters more than absolute minimum cost
The Hidden Costs of "Free"
Open-source advocates often point to the zero licensing cost, but consider the full picture:
With Open-Source:
Initial setup: 2-5 engineering days
Ongoing maintenance: 10-20 hours monthly
Infrastructure: $500-5000+ monthly depending on scale
Security updates: Your responsibility
New model integrations: Manual implementation
With Requesty:
Setup: 5 minutes
Maintenance: Zero
Infrastructure: Included
Security: Automatically updated
New models: Instantly available
For most teams, the engineering time saved with Requesty far exceeds the platform cost.
Real-World Scenarios
Let's look at how different organizations approach this decision:
Startup Building an AI Assistant
A fast-moving startup needs to experiment with different models and iterate quickly. They choose Requesty because:
Instant access to all major models through one API
No DevOps overhead allows focus on product development
Smart routing automatically optimizes for cost
Enterprise with Compliance Requirements
A healthcare company processing sensitive data might choose open-source for:
Complete data control within their infrastructure
Custom security policies and audit trails
Integration with existing monitoring systems
However, many enterprises still choose Requesty for our enterprise features and security guardrails that meet compliance requirements while eliminating infrastructure burden.
High-Volume AI Application
A company processing millions of daily requests evaluates both options:
Open-source offers potential cost savings at extreme scale
But Requesty's caching and optimization features often result in lower total costs
Plus, automatic failover and load balancing ensure reliability without manual configuration
The Future of LLM Infrastructure
The AI landscape is evolving rapidly. New models launch weekly, pricing changes constantly, and performance characteristics shift. This volatility makes flexibility crucial.
Open-source routers offer customization but require constant updates to support new models and features. Building your own router locks you into maintaining increasingly complex infrastructure.
Requesty provides the flexibility of open-source with the convenience of SaaS. Our platform automatically adapts to the changing AI landscape, ensuring you always have access to the best models and features without lifting a finger.
Conclusion: Choose Based on Your Core Needs
The build vs buy decision ultimately comes down to where you want to focus your resources:
Build when routing is your core differentiator
Use open-source when you need ultimate control and have DevOps resources
Choose Requesty when you want enterprise-grade routing without the complexity
For most teams, Requesty offers the optimal balance: the power and flexibility you need with none of the infrastructure headaches. You get instant access to 160+ models, automatic optimization that saves up to 80% on costs, and enterprise features that would take months to build yourself.
Ready to see the difference? Sign up for Requesty and start routing smarter in minutes. Join the 15,000+ developers who trust Requesty to handle their LLM infrastructure while they focus on building amazing AI applications.
Want to learn more about specific features? Check out our documentation or explore how teams use Requesty with popular integrations like Cline, LibreChat, and Roo Code.