AI API

Otari

An open-source, OpenAI-compatible LLM gateway you run yourself, providing a single endpoint for 40+ providers with virtual keys, budgets, and usage tracking.

What is Otari?

Otari is an open-source proxy server that routes LLM requests from your applications to over 40 providers through a single OpenAI-compatible endpoint, handling authentication, budget enforcement, and usage logging.

Otari vs Similar AI Tools

Pricing ModelFreeFree, FreemiumFree, Free Trial, Custom PricingFree, Freemium
Free Credits
Key Features
  • OpenAI-compatible endpoint for 40+ LLM providers
  • Virtual API keys with scoped permissions and revocation
  • Pre-request budget enforcement per user and per key
  • Deadline-aware cost optimization for LLM requests
  • Supports OpenAI, Anthropic, and Gemini models
  • No changes to your request - same model and parameters
  • 5-minute setup
  • Completely self-serve, no sales calls
  • MCP server for out-of-the-box integration
  • Usage metering
  • Flexible pricing models (usage, credits, outcomes, hybrid)
  • Margin tracking per customer
Pros
  • Open-source and self-hosted, keeping provider keys and data in your environment
  • One endpoint simplifies client integration across providers
  • Significant cost reduction (claimed 47% average)
  • No changes to your existing code or client
  • Fast 5-minute setup and self-serve onboarding
  • MCP server enables immediate agent integration
  • AI-native billing infrastructure
  • Supports multiple pricing models
Cons
  • Requires initial setup and maintenance of the server
  • Self-hosted mode lacks managed multi-provider fallback (available in hybrid mode with otari.ai account)
  • Added latency for flex requests (about 16% more time to first token)
  • Cost savings only apply to flex-capable models
  • Pricing details not publicly listed
  • Requires technical integration for custom implementations
  • Limited public pricing transparency
  • Primarily focused on AI companies
Best For
  • Developers and teams needing a unified LLM API gateway
  • Organizations requiring fine-grained access control and cost management
  • Developers running high-volume LLM inference
  • Teams looking to reduce AI costs without switching models
  • AI agent developers
  • Agent-first startups
  • AI startups
  • SaaS companies with usage-based billing

How to use Otari?

  1. 1Deploy Otari using Docker (e.g., docker run with your provider keys and master key).
  2. 2Create a virtual API key via the management endpoint or bootstrapped key.
  3. 3Point your OpenAI client to http://localhost:8000/v1 with the virtual key.
  4. 4Make requests using any model provider (e.g., openai:gpt-4o-mini).
  5. 5Monitor usage and budgets via the /v1/usage endpoint.

Otari Key Features

  • OpenAI-compatible endpoint for 40+ LLM providers
  • Virtual API keys with scoped permissions and revocation
  • Pre-request budget enforcement per user and per key
  • Usage and spend logging with queryable history
  • Built-in tools: sandboxed code execution and web search
  • Guardrails for input safety (e.g., prompt injection detection)
  • Standalone or hybrid mode with cloud management

Otari Use Cases

  • Centralize API key management for multiple LLM providers
  • Control costs by setting budgets before requests execute
  • Enable secure access to LLMs without exposing provider keys
  • Track usage across teams and applications
  • Run custom guardrails and tools with any model

Otari Pricing & Free Credits

Otari currently operates on a Free model.

This tool is completely free to use

Self-hosted Open Source

Free

Otari is open-source (Apache 2.0) and can be run on your own infrastructure at no cost.

Otari Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Open-source and self-hosted, keeping provider keys and data in your environment
  • One endpoint simplifies client integration across providers
  • Budget enforcement before calls, preventing unexpected costs
  • Comprehensive usage tracking and logging

Cons

  • Requires initial setup and maintenance of the server
  • Self-hosted mode lacks managed multi-provider fallback (available in hybrid mode with otari.ai account)
  • Some advanced features (e.g., native provider tools) are limited to specific models

What is Otari best for?

  • Developers and teams needing a unified LLM API gateway
  • Organizations requiring fine-grained access control and cost management
  • Those who want to avoid vendor lock-in and keep data private

Otari FAQ

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