LightOn vs Nebius
Which Foundation Models AI tool is better in 2026?
LightOn
The retrieval and document-intelligence API for enterprise AI
Nebius
Full-stack AI cloud with large-scale GPU clusters for training and inference
Side-by-side
Nebius is the more established option (raised $700M), but LightOn is cheaper to start.
| Metric | LightOn | Nebius |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | The retrieval and document-intelligence API for enterprise AI | Full-stack AI cloud with large-scale GPU clusters for training and inference |
| Foundedi | 2016🏆 | 2024 |
| HQi | Paris, France | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Employeesi | 41🏆 | 1000 |
| Neuron scorei | 68 | 77🏆 |
| Total fundingi | $12.6M | $700M🏆 |
| Latest roundi | IPO · Nov 2024 | private_placement · Dec 2024 |
| Valuationi | $66M🏆 | — |
| Cheapest paid plani | Pricing not disclosed🏆 | Pricing not disclosed |
| Free plani | ✓ | ✗ |
| Free triali | ✓ | ✓ |
| Top tier pricei | Pricing not disclosed | Pricing not disclosed |
| Pricing summaryi | Free | Free trial |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for LightOn and Nebius.
| Capability | LightOn | Nebius |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✓ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | — | 4 (Python, REST API, CLI, Terraform) |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✗ |
| Free trial | ✓ | ✓ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of LightOn
- Offers a free plan
- More mature (2016)
🔵 Strengths of Nebius
- Has raised more capital ($700M vs $12.6M)
- Higher Neuron score (77 vs 68)
- Newer company (2024)
Which should you choose?
Choose LightOn if price matters most — it starts at Free, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both Foundation Models tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose Nebius if you want the most established option — it has raised $700M, 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
LightOn vs Nebius — which is better?
It depends on your priority. LightOn is the leaner option; Nebius has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is LightOn cheaper than Nebius?
Yes — LightOn's cheapest paid plan is Free, while Nebius's is Free trial.
Do LightOn and Nebius offer free plans?
LightOn: Yes, has a free plan. Nebius: Free trial only.
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