What is the difference between Groq and SambaNova?

Groq and SambaNova are both cloud GPU providers offering different pricing models, features, and GPU availability. Use our comparison tool to see real-time pricing and feature differences.

Which is cheaper: Groq or SambaNova?

Pricing varies by GPU model and usage requirements. Check our real-time comparison table to find the best deals for your specific needs.

Can I switch between Groq and SambaNova?

Yes, both providers offer flexible cloud GPU services. However, consider factors like data transfer costs, setup time, and specific features when switching between providers.

Groq vs SambaNova

Compare LLM inference API pricing between Groq and SambaNova. Find the best rates for AI training, inference, and ML workloads.

Groq

Provider 1

Models Available

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SambaNova

Provider 2

Models Available

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Comparison Overview

Total LLM Models

Groq Models

SambaNova Models

Direct Comparisons

LLM API Pricing Comparison

Total models: 5Both available: 1Groq: 3SambaNova: 3

Showing 5 of 5 models

Prices per 1M tokens · Last updated: 10/22/2026, 11:00:50 PM

Model ↑	Groq	SambaNova	Input Diff ↕
Gemma 4 31B Google	Not available	$0.380 in $1.15 out	—
GPT-OSS-120B OpenAI	$0.150 in $0.600 out	$0.220 in $0.590 out	$0.070
GPT-OSS-20B OpenAI	$0.075 in $0.300 out	Not available	—
MiniMax-M3 MiniMax	Not available	$0.600 in $2.40 out	—
Qwen3.8 27B Alibaba	$0.800 in $4.00 out	Not available	—

Features Comparison

Groq

LPU-Powered Inference
Custom Language Processing Units run inference, with 256 LPUs and 128 GB of on-chip SRAM per rack
OpenAI-Compatible API
Drop-in replacement for the OpenAI API at api.groq.com/openai/v1, including a Responses API
Layered Platform
GroqMetal bare-metal infrastructure, GroqCore inference stack, and GroqAssured enterprise governance, each including the layers below
Multimodal Endpoints
Text generation plus speech-to-text, text-to-speech, OCR and image recognition, and content moderation models
Agentic Systems and Built-In Tools
Compound systems that combine models with web search, code execution, remote MCP tools, and Google Workspace connectors
Service Tiers
Performance, flex, and batch processing tiers, plus prompt caching, structured outputs, and LoRA inference

SambaNova

Custom RDU hardware
Models run on SambaNova's own Reconfigurable Dataflow Units rather than GPUs
OpenAI-compatible API
Chat completions for open models such as DeepSeek, Llama, Gemma, MiniMax and gpt-oss
Prompt caching
Cached input tokens billed at a reduced rate on supported models
Commits and credits
Prepaid commitments alongside pay-as-you-go billing

Pros & Cons

Groq

Advantages

High published token speeds (500 t/s on GPT-OSS 120B, 1,000 t/s on GPT-OSS 20B)
OpenAI-compatible API for easy integration
Competitive pricing for open-weight models
Free tier available for testing

Considerations

Small model catalog: production text models are limited to OpenAI GPT-OSS
Focus on inference only - no training capabilities
Several models are preview-only and may be discontinued at short notice

SambaNova

Advantages

Serves models on non-GPU hardware built for inference
Public per-token rates for every served model
OpenAI-compatible endpoints

Considerations

Small model catalog compared with GPU-based inference providers
Some models are priced above other providers of the same open weights
No GPU rental; inference only

Compute Services

Groq

SambaNova

Pricing Options

Groq

Pay-per-token

Token-based pricing with separate input/output rates; audio models are billed per hour and speech models per character

Batch and flex processing

Alternative service tiers for throughput-tolerant or bursty workloads instead of the standard on-demand tier

Enterprise capacity

Dedicated capacity and enterprise-only models quoted through sales

Free tier

Rate-limited free access for development and testing

SambaNova

Per token

Input, cached input, and output tokens billed per 1M

Commits

Prepaid usage commitments

Getting Started

Groq

Get Started

1
Create an account
Sign up at console.groq.com with email or OAuth
2
Get API key
Generate an API key from the console dashboard
3
Make API calls
Use the OpenAI-compatible endpoint with your preferred model

SambaNova

Get Started

1
Create an account
Sign up on SambaNova Cloud
2
Create an API key
Generate a key in the API Keys page
3
Call the API
Point an OpenAI-compatible client at api.sambanova.ai

Support & Global Availability

Groq

Global Regions

13 data centers across four continents, including sites in the US (Liberty Lake, St Paul, Dallas, Houston), Canada (Kamloops, Vaudreuil-Dorion, Calgary), Finland, the UK, Australia, and Saudi Arabia

Support

Documentation and API reference, developer community, production readiness guides, and enterprise onboarding via sales

SambaNova

Support

Documentation and the SambaNova Cloud dashboard