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AI Tools · AI Development

Helicone

A monitoring platform for tracking API usage and performance of AI models in real time.

Our take: Drop-in proxy/SDK logs requests, latency, costs and users.

Best forDevelopers
ReviewedPricing: Freemium
7.9 out of 105 criteria · see breakdown
Try HeliconeFree (10K req/mo); Pro $79/mo
The bottom line

Solid LLM ops tooling with generous free tier; evaluate migration path post-acquisition.

Our score

Reviewed by the Conversion Gems editorial team. Hover a facet to focus it; click to pin.Tap a facet to focus it.

What it is, and why we rate it

One line each. Open a row for detail.

What it really isHelicone - an open-source LLM observability platform and AI gateway for logging, cost tracking and analytics on model API calls.
Our takeDrop-in proxy/SDK logs requests, latency, costs and users.
Free Hobby: 10K requests/mo. Pro $79/mo, Team $799/mo (SOC-2/HIPAA). Note: acquired by Mintlify (2025) and in maintenance mode - still operational but plan migration long-term.

Best / not good for

Best for
  • Startups adding LLM logging with minimal code changes
  • Teams needing cost/latency dashboards on OpenAI/Anthropic calls
  • Engineers wanting open-source option with cloud hosted tier
Not good for
  • Long-term greenfield without considering Mintlify maintenance mode
  • Non-LLM application monitoring primary use
  • Teams needing forever retention on cheap tier
Trade-offs

Friction report

Trade-offs to know before signing up.

  1. Time to value
    Fast: proxy URL swap or SDK in minutes.
  2. Scale breakpoint
    Team tier jump for compliance; usage overages on scale.
  3. Walled garden
    Low: OSS self-host possible; data export available.
Still a fit?
If none of these block you, start on the free plan.
Try Helicone

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Helicone and how can it be used effectively?

Helicone is a platform that can be used effectively to monitor, analyze, and optimize AI model usage.

What is Helicone used for in AI analytics?

Helicone is used for AI analytics, tracking model usage, performance metrics, and interaction insights.

What features does Helicone offer for AI analytics?

Helicone provides AI analytics features for tracking usage, performance, and optimizing AI model interactions.

How does Helicone assist in AI application monitoring?

Helicone assists in AI application monitoring by tracking API usage, model performance, and real-time analytics.

What can Helicone do to monitor and optimize AI application performance?

Helicone monitors and optimizes AI application performance with metrics tracking, usage analytics, and system insights.

Alternatives

  • Step up

    Langfuse or LangSmith for active development roadmaps.

  • Lighter alternative

    Provider-native usage dashboards for tiny apps.

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Tags

#LLMOps#LLMObservability#ModelEvaluation

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