New API vs OpenLLM
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted local llm runners options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
New API
Next-gen LLM gateway and AI asset management system
VS
OpenLLM
Run any open LLM as an OpenAI-compatible API endpoint
| Feature | New API | OpenLLM |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Local LLM Runners | Local LLM Runners |
| License | MIT | Apache-2.0 |
| Language | Go | Python |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 8,192 MB |
| Deployment | docker | docker, kubernetes, bare-metal |
| GitHub stars | ★ 44,636 | ★ 12,452 |
| First released | 2024 | 2023 |
| Replaces | OpenRouter, OpenAI API | OpenAI API |
Why pick each one
Choose New API if…
- Released under the MIT license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 44.6k GitHub stars
- Written in Go
Choose OpenLLM if…
- Released under the Apache-2.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Kubernetes-ready with Helm charts available
- Mature project with 12.5k GitHub stars
Frequently asked questions
Is New API or OpenLLM better?
Neither is universally better. New API has the larger community; both share a medium setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are New API and OpenLLM free and open-source?
Yes. New API is licensed under MIT and OpenLLM under Apache-2.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run New API and OpenLLM with Docker?
New API: yes. OpenLLM: yes.