06 · model-router · 02 systems # Model routers & gatewaysOne API in front of many LLM providers. Model routers expose a single, usually OpenAI-compatible API and route requests across providers with fallbacks, spend controls, and usage billing. Most BYOK coding agents can point at one. SEC.01 ## Systems in this category [OpenRouter OpenRouter · model-router OpenRouter is a single API to many LLM providers with routing, fallbacks, and usage billing — widely wired into Aider, Continue, Goose, and OpenHands. api · cloud · PAYG at provider list price; 5.5% fee on credit purchases; 25+ free models](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/openrouter) [LiteLLM Community / OSS · model-router LiteLLM is a self-hostable proxy that normalizes hundreds of LLM APIs behind an OpenAI-compatible endpoint. api · local/cloud · Free OSS self-host; Enterprise quote-based](https://www.agentlist.io/systems/litellm) SEC.02 ## Who it's for Anyone running BYOK agents (Aider, Cline, Continue, Goose, OpenHands) who wants model choice, cost caps, and provider fallback without rewiring each tool. SEC.03 ## Tradeoffs Hosted routers add a hop and a bill; self-hosted proxies add ops. Tool-calling support varies by underlying model. FAQ ## Frequently asked ### What is a model router? A gateway that accepts LLM API calls and forwards them to one of many providers based on routing rules, with fallbacks and spend controls. OpenRouter is hosted; LiteLLM is a self-hostable proxy. ### Who should use a model router? Anyone running BYOK agents (Aider, Cline, Continue, Goose, OpenHands) who wants model choice, cost caps, and provider fallback without rewiring each tool. ### What are the tradeoffs of model routers? Hosted routers add a hop and a bill; self-hosted proxies add ops. Tool-calling support varies by underlying model. ### Which model routers are in the catalog? 2 as of 2026-09-25: OpenRouter (OpenRouter), LiteLLM (Community / OSS). ### Do I need a model router to use a coding agent? No. Vendor agents (Claude Code, Copilot, Cursor) bring their own models. Routers matter when you use BYOK agents and want to switch or mix providers. Other categories - [01AI IDEs06](https://www.agentlist.io/categories/ai-ide) - [02IDE extensions & copilots10](https://www.agentlist.io/categories/ide-extension) - [03CLI & terminal agents15](https://www.agentlist.io/categories/cli-agent) - [04Cloud & autonomous agents05](https://www.agentlist.io/categories/cloud-agent) - [05Platforms & harness multiplexers01](https://www.agentlist.io/categories/platform) - [07Bridges, brokers & protocols02](https://www.agentlist.io/categories/bridge) - [08Agent communication & collaboration13](https://www.agentlist.io/categories/agent-communication) - [09Agent services15](https://www.agentlist.io/categories/agent-services) - [10Personal & always-on agents06](https://www.agentlist.io/categories/personal-agent) - [11AI employees & digital coworkers10](https://www.agentlist.io/categories/digital-employee) - [12On-call & ops agents07](https://www.agentlist.io/categories/ops-agent) - [13Browser & computer-use agents06](https://www.agentlist.io/categories/computer-use) - [14Research & analyst agents07](https://www.agentlist.io/categories/research-agent) - [15Voice & phone agents07](https://www.agentlist.io/categories/voice-agent) Examples: OpenRouter · LiteLLM. Entries are editorial records from seed 2026-09-25, not endorsements. --- Source: [Model routers & gateways — 2 compared | agentlist.io](https://www.agentlist.io/categories/model-router). This is the public page rendered as Markdown; interactive controls require the website.