01.AI vs Aster
Which Agents AI tool is better in 2026?
01.AI
Founded by Kai-Fu Lee — maker of the Yi model family.
Aster
The first AI-native AI research lab using agentic workflows to accelerate model discovery.
Side-by-side
01.AI leads on both fronts — more capital raised ($200M) and a lower entry price than Aster.
| Metric | 01.AI | Aster |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | Founded by Kai-Fu Lee — maker of the Yi model family. | The first AI-native AI research lab using agentic workflows to accelerate model discovery. |
| Foundedi | 2023🏆 | 2026 |
| HQi | Beijing, CN | San Francisco, US |
| Employeesi | 201-500🏆 | — |
| Neuron scorei | 65🏆 | 45 |
| Total fundingi | $200M🏆 | $500K |
| Latest roundi | Series A · Nov 2023 | Seed · Mar 2026 |
| Valuationi | $1B🏆 | — |
| Cheapest paid plani | —🏆 | Pricing not disclosed |
| Free plani | ✗ | ✗ |
| Free triali | ✗ | ✗ |
| Top tier pricei | Enterprise LLM Platform · Contact sales | Pricing not disclosed |
| Pricing summaryi | 1 published plans | Contact-sales |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for 01.AI and Aster.
| Capability | 01.AI | Aster |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✗ | ✗ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | 1 (Python) | — |
| Free plan | ✗ | ✗ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✗ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of 01.AI
- Has raised more capital ($200M vs $500K)
- Higher Neuron score (65 vs 45)
- More mature (2023)
🔵 Strengths of Aster
- Newer company (2026)
Which should you choose?
Choose 01.AI if price matters most — it starts at Freemium, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both AI Agents tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose 01.AI if you want the most established option — it has raised $200M, suggesting more runway for enterprise features, support, and long-term roadmap. For mission-critical workflows or larger teams, that stability often outweighs a lower monthly price.
Frequently asked questions
01.AI vs Aster — which is better?
It depends on your priority. 01.AI has raised more capital and is the more established option; Aster has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is 01.AI cheaper than Aster?
Yes — 01.AI's cheapest paid plan is Freemium, while Aster's is Contact-sales.
Do 01.AI and Aster offer free plans?
01.AI: Paid only. Aster: Paid only.
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