Liquid AI vs Nous Research
Which Foundation Models AI tool is better in 2026?
Liquid AI
Efficient general-purpose foundation models built for edge, on-device, and cloud deployment at every scale.
Nous Research
Open-source AI lab building decentralized models, agents, and training
Side-by-side
Liquid AI is the more established option (raised $250M), but Nous Research is cheaper to start.
| Metric | Liquid AI | Nous Research |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | Efficient general-purpose foundation models built for edge, on-device, and cloud deployment at every scale. | Open-source AI lab building decentralized models, agents, and training |
| Foundedi | 2023 | 2023 |
| HQi | Boston, US | New York, US |
| Employeesi | 51-200 | 11-50🏆 |
| Neuron scorei | 67🏆 | 64 |
| Total fundingi | $250M🏆 | $140M |
| Latest roundi | Series A · Dec 2024 | other · Jul 2026 |
| Valuationi | $2.4B🏆 | $1B |
| Cheapest paid plani | — | Pricing not disclosed🏆 |
| Free plani | ✗ | ✓ |
| Free triali | ✗ | ✗ |
| Top tier pricei | Enterprise Partnerships · Contact sales | Pricing not disclosed |
| Pricing summaryi | 1 published plans | Free |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Liquid AI and Nous Research.
| Capability | Liquid AI | Nous Research |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✗ | ✓ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | 1 (Python) | 2 (python, typescript) |
| Free plan | ✗ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✗ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✓ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Liquid AI
- Has raised more capital ($250M vs $140M)
- Higher Neuron score (67 vs 64)
🔵 Strengths of Nous Research
- Offers a free plan
Which should you choose?
Choose Nous Research 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 Liquid AI if you want the most established option — it has raised $250M, 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.
💸 Deals
Liquid Foundation Models — free on Liquid Playground
Try Liquid Foundation Models free in the Liquid Playground — LFM-1B, LFM-3B, and LFM-40B available for evaluation.
Frequently asked questions
Liquid AI vs Nous Research — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Liquid AI has raised more capital and is the more established option; Nous Research is cheaper to start. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Liquid AI cheaper than Nous Research?
No — Nous Research's cheapest paid plan is Free, while Liquid AI's is Enterprise · Contact sales.
Do Liquid AI and Nous Research offer free plans?
Liquid AI: Paid only. Nous Research: Yes, has a free plan.
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