Groq vs Thinking Machines Lab
Which Developer Platforms AI tool is better in 2026?
Groq
Fastest AI inference on the planet
Thinking Machines Lab
Frontier AI research lab building customizable, multimodal models
Side-by-side
| Groq | Thinking Machines Lab | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Fastest AI inference on the planet | Frontier AI research lab building customizable, multimodal models |
| Founded | 2016 | 2025 |
| HQ | Mountain View, US | San Francisco, US |
| Employees | 200-500 | 11-50 |
| Total funding | $2.3B | $2B |
| Latest round | Series E · Sep 2025 | Seed · Jul 2025 |
| Valuation | $6.9B | $12B |
| Cheapest paid plan | — | Pricing not disclosed |
| Free plan | ✓ Free | ✗ |
| Free trial | ✓ | ✗ |
| Top tier price | Enterprise · Contact sales | Pricing not disclosed |
| Pricing summary | 3 published plans | Usage |
| Categories |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Groq and Thinking Machines Lab.
| Capability | Groq | Thinking Machines Lab |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | 2 (Python, JavaScript) | 1 (python) |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✗ |
| Free trial | ✓ | ✗ |
| Verified | ✓ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Groq
- Has raised more capital ($2.3B vs $2B)
- Offers a free plan
- Offers a free trial
- More mature (2016)
🔵 Strengths of Thinking Machines Lab
- Higher Neuron score (65 vs 55)
- Newer company (2025)
Which should you choose?
Choose Thinking Machines Lab if price matters most — it starts at Usage, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both AI Developer Platforms tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose Groq if you want the most established option — it has raised $2.3B, 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
Groq vs Thinking Machines Lab — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Groq has raised more capital and is the more established option; Thinking Machines Lab is cheaper to start. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Groq cheaper than Thinking Machines Lab?
No — Thinking Machines Lab's cheapest paid plan is Usage, while Groq's is Free.
Do Groq and Thinking Machines Lab offer free plans?
Groq: Yes, has a free plan. Thinking Machines Lab: Paid only.
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