LightOn vs Zyphra
Which Foundation Models AI tool is better in 2026?
LightOn
The retrieval and document-intelligence API for enterprise AI
Zyphra
Open-science AI lab building efficient multimodal models and the Maia superagent
Side-by-side
Zyphra is the more established option (raised $110M), but LightOn is cheaper to start.
| Metric | LightOn | Zyphra |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | The retrieval and document-intelligence API for enterprise AI | Open-science AI lab building efficient multimodal models and the Maia superagent |
| Foundedi | 2016🏆 | 2020 |
| HQi | Paris, France | Palo Alto, United States |
| Employeesi | 41🏆 | — |
| Neuron scorei | 68 | 75🏆 |
| Total fundingi | $12.6M | $110M🏆 |
| Latest roundi | IPO · Nov 2024 | Series A · Jan 2025 |
| Valuationi | $66M | $1B🏆 |
| 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 | Open source |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for LightOn and Zyphra.
| Capability | LightOn | Zyphra |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✓ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | — | 1 (Python) |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✓ | ✗ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of LightOn
- Offers a free trial
- More mature (2016)
🔵 Strengths of Zyphra
- Has raised more capital ($110M vs $12.6M)
- Higher Neuron score (75 vs 68)
- Newer company (2020)
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 Zyphra if you want the most established option — it has raised $110M, 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 Zyphra — which is better?
It depends on your priority. LightOn is the leaner option; Zyphra has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is LightOn cheaper than Zyphra?
Yes — LightOn's cheapest paid plan is Free, while Zyphra's is Open source.
Do LightOn and Zyphra offer free plans?
LightOn: Yes, has a free plan. Zyphra: Yes, has a free plan.
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