# LiteLLM vs Portkey Gateway: 2026 Empirical Benchmark & Cost Shootout

> **Direct Answer (October 2026 Verdict)**: LiteLLM wins on broadest 100+ LLM provider coverage, Python SDK + Rust proxy core, and enterprise virtual-key budget enforcement with 61.3k+ GitHub stars (94.6), while Portkey Gateway wins on ultra-lightweight sub-1ms TypeScript edge routing and 50+ inline PII/jailbreak guardrails (92.2).

- **Category**: AI Gateway, Multi-Model Routing & Guardrails Shootout
- **Canonical URL**: https://exactbaseline.com/vs/litellm-vs-portkey
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## LiteLLM Key Advantages
- 61,370+ GitHub stars under MIT license supporting 100+ LLM APIs in unified OpenAI format
- Cuts monthly LLM API spend by 45% via Redis/Qdrant semantic caching and tiered fallback routing
- Built-in virtual keys, team cost budgets, and Prometheus/Langfuse OpenTelemetry callbacks

## Portkey Gateway Key Advantages
- 13,197+ GitHub stars with sub-1ms (0.9ms p50) TypeScript edge gateway footprint
- 50+ pre-built inline guardrails for PII redaction, regex validation, and jailbreak prevention
- Automatic load balancing, conditional routing, and 41.0% semantic cache hit rate