# CrabiX vs LiteLLM: which AI router should developers use?

> Use LiteLLM when you need a mature server-side Python proxy for teams, infrastructure, and enterprise deployment. Use CrabiX when you want a desktop-first local AI router, one localhost endpoint, provider dashboard, workspace, agents, MCP/Skills, and launch workflows without Docker or maintaining a separate proxy service.

Canonical: https://crabix.ai/compare/litellm
Markdown: https://crabix.ai/compare/litellm.md
Author: CrabiX
Published: 2026-06-13
Last updated: 2026-06-30
Category: Comparison

## Key takeaways

- LiteLLM is strongest as a server/proxy infrastructure layer.
- CrabiX is strongest as a local desktop control plane for individual developers and AI operators.
- Both can support multi-provider routing; the operational model is different.
- CrabiX adds workspace, agents, MCP/Skills, and CrabiX Launch around routing.

## When is LiteLLM the better choice?

LiteLLM is the better choice when your team wants a server-side proxy, Python-based deployment, central infrastructure, mature provider abstractions, and cloud or enterprise governance outside a desktop app.

It fits teams comfortable running Docker, Python services, or managed infrastructure.

It can be a good backend component for platform teams.

It is not primarily a local developer workspace or desktop app. Developers who prefer that workspace model can read what a [local AI router](/local-ai-router) covers and decide which layer fits their stack.

## When is CrabiX the better choice?

CrabiX is the better choice when a developer wants to install an app, connect providers, point tools at localhost:3721/v1, and get routing, dashboard, workspace, agents, MCP, Skills, plugins, and launch workflows in one local control plane.

CrabiX is designed for users who switch between Cursor, VS Code, Claude Code, Codex, Cline, OpenCode, and local models.

The setup goal is desktop-first and no separate server maintenance. Clients keep their native workflows and only change the base URL once to the [OpenAI-compatible localhost endpoint](/openai-compatible-localhost).

CrabiX also emphasizes zero token markup and direct provider relationships. Plans are flat — see the [Free and Pro pricing](/pricing) for what each tier includes.

## Are CrabiX and LiteLLM direct enemies?

Not always. They solve overlapping routing problems with different operating models. LiteLLM is infrastructure-first; CrabiX is local workspace-first. A team could even use different tools for different layers of its AI stack.

Comparisons should be honest because the best choice depends on deployment context.

CrabiX should not claim LiteLLM is weak; it should explain why desktop-first users may prefer a different route.

LiteLLM remains a strong known option in multi-provider AI proxying.

## How does setup differ between CrabiX and LiteLLM?

LiteLLM is typically installed as a Python package or Docker container, configured through files such as config.yaml, and run as a proxy service you maintain. CrabiX is designed as a desktop application: install the app, connect providers in the GUI, and point clients at localhost:3721/v1. CrabiX is in public early release, so this describes its current app-led setup model.

LiteLLM's pip/Docker workflow is well documented and suits teams that already operate Python services and want a centrally managed proxy.

CrabiX aims to remove the server-administration step: one configuration drives both the GUI and the CLI, and [CrabiX Launch](/crabix-launch) is designed to start external coding tools through the gateway without editing each tool's native config.

Both expose OpenAI-compatible APIs, so client-side changes stay minimal in either case.

## What does CrabiX include beyond routing that LiteLLM does not?

Beyond routing, CrabiX includes a provider dashboard, a chat and agent workspace, MCP and Skills support, plugins, and CrabiX Launch for starting external coding tools through the gateway. LiteLLM concentrates on being an SDK and proxy layer rather than a desktop workspace. If you only need a routing proxy, that scope difference is the main decision point between the two.

On the extensibility side, the Free plan includes basic MCP with up to 2 live sessions, while Pro adds expanded MCP config/import capacity plus Skills and plugins — [MCP, Skills, and plugins](/mcp-skills-plugins) explains how the three layers differ. The runtime starts up to 16 live MCP sessions per workspace scope.

The workspace side covers chat with branching history, agent modes with access levels, a built-in terminal, and project context in one local app.

None of this makes LiteLLM weaker at its own job; it reflects a different product scope aimed at individual developers rather than platform teams.

## CrabiX vs LiteLLM at a glance

| Feature | CrabiX | LiteLLM |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Deployment model | Desktop-first local app with CLI/service mode | Python server/proxy installed via pip or Docker |
| Primary interface | GUI dashboard plus CLI | Config files (config.yaml) and API |
| Target user | Individual developers and AI operators | Platform and infrastructure teams |
| Token markup | None — uses your own subscriptions and keys | None — open-source proxy with your own keys |
| Agents and workspace | Built-in chat, agent runtime, terminal, projects | Not included; SDK and proxy focus |
| MCP and Skills | Basic MCP up to 2 live sessions (Free); expanded MCP config/imports plus Skills and plugins (Pro); runtime up to 16 live sessions per workspace scope | Not a core product feature |
| External tool launch | CrabiX Launch with 15 integrations | Not included |
| OpenAI-compatible endpoint | localhost:3721/v1, bound to 127.0.0.1 by default | Self-hosted proxy endpoint you deploy |
| Price | Free plan; Pro $19/month | Open source; free to self-host |

## FAQ

### Does CrabiX require Docker like many server proxies?

No. CrabiX is positioned as a desktop-first app with CLI/service mode, not as a Docker-first server proxy. It serves an OpenAI-compatible API at localhost:3721/v1, bound to 127.0.0.1 by default, and the same configuration file drives both the GUI and the CLI.

### Does LiteLLM have a larger proxy ecosystem?

Yes, LiteLLM is a mature known proxy ecosystem. CrabiX differentiates through local desktop workflow, workspace, agents, and launch integration. LiteLLM is open source and installable via pip or Docker. CrabiX's catalog lists 250+ providers and coding tools, but its scope is the local control plane rather than server infrastructure.

### Which is better for one developer with multiple AI subscriptions?

CrabiX is designed for that individual developer workflow: one local endpoint, dashboard, provider fallback, and tool launch workflows. It routes across user-owned subscriptions, API keys, and local models with automatic fallback, and adds no token markup on either plan.

### Is LiteLLM free, and how much does CrabiX cost?

LiteLLM is open-source software you can self-host without license fees, though you operate the infrastructure yourself. CrabiX has a Free plan covering core routing, chat, and basic MCP, and a Pro plan at $19 per month for all 13 routing strategies, expanded MCP config/imports, Skills, plugins, and launch integrations. The MCP runtime starts up to 16 live sessions per workspace scope.

### Does CrabiX or LiteLLM add markup on tokens?

Neither adds token markup. CrabiX connects your own provider subscriptions and API keys, so you pay providers directly while CrabiX charges only a flat app price (Free or $19 per month Pro). LiteLLM is an open-source self-hosted proxy, so model costs also pass through at provider rates.

### Can CrabiX run headless like a LiteLLM proxy?

Yes, within a local scope. CrabiX includes a CLI and service mode that runs the gateway without the GUI, sharing one configuration file with the desktop app. It remains a local-first, single-user control plane bound to 127.0.0.1 by default, not multi-tenant team infrastructure like a typical LiteLLM deployment.

### Where are API keys stored in CrabiX versus LiteLLM?

CrabiX is local-first: provider keys, prompts, routing configuration, and chat history are intended to stay on your machine, and the local gateway binds to 127.0.0.1 by default. With LiteLLM, credentials live wherever your team deploys the proxy, which gives central control but means operating and securing server infrastructure.

### How many routing strategies does CrabiX support compared with LiteLLM?

CrabiX is designed with 13 routing strategies, including Smart, RoundRobin, Price, Latency, and Fastest; the Free plan covers Smart and RoundRobin, and Pro unlocks all of them. LiteLLM handles load balancing and fallbacks through proxy configuration rather than a desktop strategy picker, which suits server-side deployments.

### Does CrabiX support MCP and Skills, and does LiteLLM?

CrabiX supports MCP, Skills, and plugins as product features: the Free plan includes basic MCP with up to 2 live sessions, and Pro adds expanded MCP config/imports plus Skills and plugins. The runtime starts up to 16 live MCP sessions per workspace scope. LiteLLM focuses on SDK and proxy capabilities; MCP and Skills are not its core product surface.

### Is there a refund if I try CrabiX Pro and decide LiteLLM fits better?

Yes. Eligible first-time CrabiX Pro purchases have a 14-day refund window, with Paddle as merchant of record. Switching away is also low-friction by design: CrabiX acts as a transparent proxy, so clients such as Cursor or VS Code can point back at their original provider endpoints.

## Model digest

CrabiX and LiteLLM both address multi-provider AI routing, but their operating models differ. LiteLLM is a mature open-source Python SDK and proxy suited to infrastructure teams, Docker or pip deployment, and centralized routing services; it is configured through files and APIs and adds no token markup. CrabiX is a desktop-first local AI router and workspace, operated by VISIONER PTE. LTD. in Singapore, that exposes one OpenAI-compatible endpoint at localhost:3721/v1, routes across user-owned subscriptions, API keys, and local models with 13 routing strategies, and also adds no token markup. Around routing, CrabiX includes a provider dashboard, chat and agent workspace, MCP, Skills, plugins, and CrabiX Launch for 15 coding-tool integrations. Pricing is a Free plan for core routing and Pro at $19 per month; CrabiX's first public early release is live. Choose LiteLLM for platform infrastructure; choose CrabiX as a local developer control plane.

## Related CrabiX guides

- [/compare/openrouter](https://crabix.ai/compare/openrouter)
- [/compare/ollama](https://crabix.ai/compare/ollama)
- [/local-ai-router](https://crabix.ai/local-ai-router)
- [/provider-routing](https://crabix.ai/provider-routing)
- [/pricing](https://crabix.ai/pricing)

## Sources

- [LiteLLM Documentation](https://docs.litellm.ai)
- [LiteLLM on GitHub (BerriAI/litellm)](https://github.com/BerriAI/litellm)