OpenAI API vs Together AI(2026)
OpenAI API is better for teams that need most capable models. Together AI is the stronger choice if access to all major open models. OpenAI API is paid (from $0.15/1M tokens (GPT-4o mini)) and Together AI is paid (from $0.20/1M tokens).
Full feature breakdown, pricing details, and pros & cons below.
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OpenAI API
OpenAI provides API access to GPT-4, GPT-3.5, DALL-E, Whisper, and other models for developers.
Starting at $0.15/1M tokens (GPT-4o mini)
Visit OpenAI APITogether AI
Together AI provides fast inference for 50+ open-source models including Llama, Mistral, and CodeLlama.
Starting at $0.20/1M tokens
Visit Together AIHow Do OpenAI API and Together AI Compare on Features?
| Feature | OpenAI API | Together AI |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | paid | paid |
| Starting price | $0.15/1M tokens (GPT-4o mini) | $0.20/1M tokens |
| GPT-4o | ✓ | — |
| Assistants API | ✓ | — |
| Fine-tuning | ✓ | — |
| DALL-E 3 | ✓ | — |
| Whisper | ✓ | — |
| Embeddings | ✓ | ✓ |
| Function calling | ✓ | — |
| 50+ open models | — | ✓ |
| Custom fine-tuning | — | ✓ |
| OpenAI-compatible API | — | ✓ |
| Fast inference | — | ✓ |
| Dedicated endpoints | — | ✓ |
OpenAI API Pros and Cons vs Together AI
OpenAI API
Together AI
Should You Use OpenAI API or Together AI?
Choose OpenAI API if…
- •Most capable models
- •Largest ecosystem
- •Assistants API for stateful agents
Choose Together AI if…
- •Access to all major open models
- •Competitive pricing
- •Fine-tuning available