Managed inference API
DeepInfra
Budget per-token API for 100+ open-weight models — the archetypal cheap default when you want an OpenAI-shaped endpoint for an open model without operating anything.
Editorial scores last reviewed September 3, 2026
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Best for
Cost-first hosting of popular open models (Llama, Qwen, DeepSeek, embedding models)
Watch out
Per-token rates are the draw, but confirm cold-start behaviour and rate limits for your burst pattern; fewer enterprise controls than the bigger clouds
| Billing | Per-token API pricing, pay-as-you-go (execution-time billing for non-LLM models) |
|---|---|
| GPU choice | Platform-managed GPU pool — model choice, not SKU choice |
| Cold start | Serverless endpoints may cold-start on less-served models |
| Model access | 100+ open-weight models including Llama, Qwen, Mistral and DeepSeek families |
Fit detail
When DeepInfra is the right shortlist — and when it is not
Use these lists to kill bad comparisons early, before you compare logos.
Ideal for
- High-volume chat and embedding work on popular open models
- Prototypes that must not carry a monthly minimum
- Teams comparing open-model providers on price
Usually not ideal for
- Dedicated capacity or custom weights
- Strict data-residency or compliance-heavy deployments
- Workloads needing a specific GPU SKU
Spend & ops
How cost behaves — and what breaks first
No invented $/hour quotes. These notes explain the failure modes that show up on the first real invoice.
Cost mental model
Pay only for tokens served; no contracts, no idle GPU cost — cheapest per token of the managed set, with fewer guarantees
Ops notes
- Pin model versions — the catalog updates frequently
- Watch per-model rate limits under burst traffic
Fit scores
DeepInfra on the decision axes
Same editorial scale as the hub chart — useful for shortlists, not as a price quote.
- GPU choice2/10
- Time-to-serving (editorial)4/10
- Price clarity5/10
- Production ops3/10
- Open-model breadth5/10
Among all providers
GPU choice
Pick exact GPUs
Time-to-serving (editorial)
Warm-path fit
Price clarity
Easy to forecast
Production ops
Less DIY ops
Open-model breadth
Catalog depth
Scores are editorial planning ratings (1–10) for product shape — not published $/hour quotes or vendor SLAs. Verify current pricing on each provider site.
Related
Keep the decision attached to the rest of the stack
Cloud rental is one path. Local VRAM and open-weight fit still matter.