Portkey vs PromptLayer
Which Observability AI tool is better in 2026?
Portkey
The control plane for production AI
PromptLayer
The prompt management workbench for LLM teams
Side-by-side
Portkey is the more established option (raised $18M); pricing is comparable on both sides.
| Metric | Portkey | PromptLayer |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | The control plane for production AI | The prompt management workbench for LLM teams |
| Foundedi | 2023 | 2021🏆 |
| HQi | San Francisco, US | New York, US |
| Employeesi | 11-50🏆 | 1-10 |
| Neuron scorei | 73🏆 | 61 |
| Total fundingi | $18M🏆 | $5M |
| Latest roundi | Seed | Seed |
| Valuationi | — | — |
| 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 |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Portkey and PromptLayer.
| Capability | Portkey | PromptLayer |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | — | — |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✓ | ✓ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Portkey
- Has raised more capital ($18M vs $5M)
- Higher Neuron score (73 vs 61)
- Newer company (2023)
🔵 Strengths of PromptLayer
- More mature (2021)
Which should you choose?
Choose PromptLayer if price matters most — it starts at Free, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both AI Observability tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose Portkey if you want the most established option — it has raised $18M, 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
Portkey vs PromptLayer — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Portkey has raised more capital and is the more established option; PromptLayer has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Portkey cheaper than PromptLayer?
No — PromptLayer's cheapest paid plan is Free, while Portkey's is Free.
Do Portkey and PromptLayer offer free plans?
Portkey: Yes, has a free plan. PromptLayer: Yes, has a free plan.
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