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    Helicone

    LLM observability platform: logging, costs, latency, prompt/completion analysis, evaluations, caching. Proxy gateway or native integration. Open-source and managed cloud. Since March 2026: maintenance mode (acquired by Mintlify).

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    ToolTrim verdict4.5/ 5Excellent

    Helicone was standard for LLM observability; since Mintlify acquisition (March 2026), prefer active alternatives.

    Helicone, preview 1
    About

    In practice. What you can do with Helicone.

    LLM observability platform: logging, costs, latency, prompt/completion analysis, evaluations, caching. Proxy gateway or native integration. Open-source and managed cloud. Since March 2026: maintenance mode (acquired by Mintlify).

    Key strengths: Open-source (MIT) for self-hosting.; Gateway pass-through (300+ models).; Detailed cost tracking.; Caching and optimizations..

    Helicone was standard for LLM observability; since Mintlify acquisition (March 2026), prefer active alternatives.

    Practical uses

    • Track LLM API costs in production.
    • Monitor latency and errors.
    • A/B test models and prompts.

    Features & use cases

    Ai general

    Pros and cons. What Helicone does well, and what to expect.

    Pros

    • Open-source (MIT) for self-hosting.
    • Gateway pass-through (300+ models).
    • Detailed cost tracking.
    • Caching and optimizations.

    Cons

    • Project in maintenance mode since March 2026.
    • Reduced team post-acquisition.
    • More active alternatives emerging.

    When it makes sense. Keep Helicone, or challenge it?

    Keep if

    • You deploy LLM apps to production.
    • You want to track costs and performance.

    Challenge if

    • You don't have an LLM app deployed.
    • The Helicone project is in maintenance (since March 2026).

    Pricing. What does Helicone cost ?

    Free

    $0

    Free plan available.

    Paid plan

    Paid plans available. See the official pricing source for details.

    Official pricingChecked on July 24, 2026

    Alternatives. What could replace Helicone?

    Direct substitutes

    Our verdict. What to know about Helicone.

    Why this verdict

    Excellent

    Helicone is hard to replace short-term, a free tier to test before paying, clearly documented use cases.

    Helicone Summary

    Category
    productivity tool.
    Price from
    Free.
    Best for
    professionals.
    Avoid if
    You don't have an LLM app deployed; The Helicone project is in maintenance (since March 2026).
    ToolTrim verdict
    Helicone was standard for LLM observability; since Mintlify acquisition (March 2026), prefer active alternatives.

    Frequently asked questions.

    What to know before choosing Helicone.

    What is Helicone used for?

    LLM observability platform: logging, costs, latency, prompt/completion analysis, evaluations, caching. Proxy gateway or native integration. Open-source and managed cloud. Since March 2026: maintenance mode (acquired by Mintlify).

    How much does Helicone cost?

    Helicone costs $0 (free). Price verified on 2026-07-24.

    Is Helicone suitable for beginners?

    Helicone suits most professionals. See the "Who is it for" section for details.

    Is Helicone worth the price?

    Helicone was standard for LLM observability; since Mintlify acquisition (March 2026), prefer active alternatives.

    What are the best alternatives to Helicone?

    No direct alternative listed.

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