LiteLLM vs vLLM
Self-host pick — both replace OpenAI API (LLM inference API).
Both LiteLLM and vLLM self-host as a replacement for OpenAI API (LLM inference API). Pick LiteLLM if you want the lighter footprint — 15min docker-compose (proxy + Postgres for usage logs), $5 vps for the proxy itself; the underlying model server (ollama / vllm / openai passthrough) is the real cost line. Pick vLLM if you need production inference at scale — vLLM's continuous batching is what you want when 10+ concurrent users hit the endpoint — 30min docker run with --gpus and $200-1500/mo depending on gpu class; an a100 80gb runs llama 3.
| LiteLLMopen-source | vLLMopen-source | |
|---|---|---|
| License | MIT | Apache-2.0 |
| Setup time | 15min docker-compose (proxy + Postgres for usage logs) | 30min docker run with --gpus |
| Monthly cost | $5 VPS for the proxy itself; the underlying model server (Ollama / vLLM / OpenAI passthrough) is the real cost line. | $200-1500/mo depending on GPU class; an A100 80GB runs Llama 3.1 70B comfortably with PagedAttention batching. |
| GitHub | BerriAI/litellm | vllm-project/vllm |
| Replaces | OpenAI API | OpenAI API |
Good fit for
LiteLLM
Teams that want one OpenAI-shaped endpoint in front of many backends (mix of self-hosted + hosted Anthropic + hosted OpenAI for fallback).
Weak at:Not a model server itself — you still need Ollama/vLLM/cloud APIs behind it; LiteLLM is glue, not GPU.
vLLM
Production inference at scale — vLLM's continuous batching is what you want when 10+ concurrent users hit the endpoint.
Weak at:Single-GPU model fit — large models (70B+) need multi-GPU tensor parallelism and careful VRAM budgeting.
In a terminal? npx -y github:SolvoHQ/os-alt-cli openai-api prints OpenAI API's self-host options including both —
how the CLI works →
FAQ
Which is easier to self-host, LiteLLM or vLLM?
LiteLLM: 15min docker-compose (proxy + Postgres for usage logs). vLLM: 30min docker run with --gpus.
What does each cost to run?
LiteLLM: $5 VPS for the proxy itself; the underlying model server (Ollama / vLLM / OpenAI passthrough) is the real cost line.. vLLM: $200-1500/mo depending on GPU class; an A100 80GB runs Llama 3.1 70B comfortably with PagedAttention batching.. Both projects are free and open source.
Do LiteLLM and vLLM replace the same SaaS?
Yes — both are open-source alternatives to OpenAI API.