# LiteLLM: how AI models rank it, September 2026

IT AI Recommendation Index, September 2026 Edition. Named in 54 judge labels across 2 categories by 12 of 12 models. Page: https://it-ai-index.com/vendors/litellm/

## Standing by category

| Category | Share | Rank | Negative rate | Labels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LLM gateways and observability | 38% | 1 | 18% | 51 |
| API gateways | 0% | 50 | 67% | 3 |

## What the models said for it

- "LiteLLM (Best Self-Hosted / Open-Source): The most popular open-source, Python-based gateway... Excellent choice if you want to deploy a gateway inside your own Kubernetes cluster." (Gemini 3.5 Flash, LLM gateways)
- "It is the standard choice for building internal developer platforms (IDPs) because it is open-source and fits into any existing architecture." (Qwen 3.7 Flash, LLM gateways)
- "LiteLLM (for flexibility and cost control) or Helicone (for observability and ease of use) are the best LLM gateway choices" (Mistral Small, LLM gateways)
- "LiteLLM is widely considered the best LLM gateway because it is open-source and free to self-host" (Qwen 3.7 Flash, LLM gateways)

## And against it

- "Be cautious with self-hosted or open-source LLM gateways like LiteLLM and Ollama, especially if internet-exposed, due to documented security risks... actively exploited and CISA KEV-listed" (Grok 4.1 Fast, LLM gateways)
- "LiteLLM (Critical Risk) ... Why it is dangerous: Recent research has shown that compromised LiteLLM instances can lead to Remote Code Execution (RCE) and full privilege escalation." (Qwen 3.7 Flash, LLM gateways)
- "Avoid or exercise extreme caution with LiteLLM and LMDeploy in production or security-sensitive environments" (Mistral Small, LLM gateways)
- "there's one LLM gateway that stands out for having significant security issues: LiteLLM." (MiniMax M2.5, LLM gateways)

## Record

- Method: https://it-ai-index.com/methodology/
- Raw judge labels and full responses: https://it-ai-index.com/data/
- License: CC BY 4.0. Cite as IT AI Recommendation Index, September 2026 Edition, it-ai-index.com.