Open Source
OrcaRouter Lite
by Continuum AI
A self-hosted, single-workspace model router that accepts OpenAI, Anthropic and Gemini style requests and, in auto mode, picks the cheapest configured model that can handle each request.
Our verdict
A self-hosted, single-workspace model router that accepts OpenAI, Anthropic and Gemini style requests and, in auto mode, picks the cheapest configured model that can handle each request.
Best for: Developers who want a small router with a local dashboard in front of their own provider keys.
Choose something else if: you need teams, single sign-on, audit logs or more than one server. Lite leaves those out, and its only tagged release dates from May 2026.
Source review
Using OrcaRouter Lite in practice
Where it runs
Runs on your own server, with SQLite by default. If you add a hosted OrcaRouter key, some requests go to Continuum AI's service.
How to install
Needs git, Docker Compose and one provider key. Clone the repository, copy .env.example to .env, add the key and run docker compose up. Point clients at http://localhost:8000/v1 with the sk-orca key printed at startup.
Install commands
git clone https://github.com/Continuum-AI-Corp/OrcaRouter-Lite.git
cd OrcaRouter-Lite
cp .env.example .env
docker compose upAs published in the linked sources. Not run by us.
What it costs
Lite is free under the MIT licence, and you pay your providers and your hosting. The optional hosted OrcaRouter bills per token: its Hacker plan is free with no token markup, Team is US$499 a month and Enterprise is quoted.
Prices and plans change. Check the linked sources before committing.
Why consider it
- OpenAI-compatible, Anthropic and Gemini endpoints, with a cheapest-capable auto mode.
- Local dashboard and analytics, with no telemetry leaving the server according to its README.
What to watch for
- The quickstart builds from the main branch because no image is published yet.
- Set CREDENTIAL_ENCRYPTION_KEY before saving provider keys in the dashboard. The example file leaves it commented out.
- It installs the LiteLLM library without pinning a version, so check which version a build pulled in.
A first task to try
Add one provider key, send a request with the model set to auto, then check in the dashboard which model it chose and what it cost.
Suggested exercise, not an installation test. We reviewed the linked documentation; no host compatibility is implied.
Other options to understand
Related tools can solve different parts of the same job. Compare fit before treating them as replacements.
Key facts
What we have checked
- Latest version
- 0.1.0 (released 11 May 2026)
- Days since the last commit
- 29
- GitHub forks
- 292
- GitHub stars
- 1,648
- Days to a first reply on issues
- 42.2
- Open issues
- 35
- Releases in the last 90 days
- 0
Each value shows when we last confirmed it and where it came from. Values we have not confirmed are left out, never guessed.
Stars and usage
How OrcaRouter Lite is growing
1,714 to 1,648
Health and security
Is OrcaRouter Lite looked after, and what do its setup files show
Health score
56 out of 100
| Part | Points | What we saw |
|---|---|---|
| Recent activity | 30 of 30 | Last push 29 days ago |
| Releases | 0 of 15 | 0 releases in 90 days |
| Issue replies | 0 of 20 | First reply in 42.2 days (median) |
| Maintainer | 15 of 15 | Owned by an organisation |
| Official source | Not counted | MCP servers only |
Sources
Where this comes from
- GitHubRegistry
- GitHubOfficial
- Repository and READMEOur review
- Hosted OrcaRouter pricingOur review
- Hosted OrcaRouter data handlingOur review
A source shows what was published when we checked it. It does not certify security, performance or a working installation. Read our method.
Changelog
What changed
Released 0.1.0
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