Best LLM Inference Providers

ComparisonChecked Nov 8, 2026

Groq vs Cerebras

Both run open-weight models on their own non-GPU inference hardware (Groq LPU, Cerebras wafer-scale) behind OpenAI-compatible APIs with published per-token prices. They differ in ownership, published data terms, and dedicated options.

What differs

  • Ownership: Cerebras is publicly listed (Nasdaq: CBRS) since May 14, 2026. Groq is privately held and announced a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Nvidia in December 2025, stating GroqCloud continues to operate.
  • API: Groq says its API is mostly compatible with OpenAI client libraries; Cerebras says it is compatible with OpenAI client libraries for many common workflows.
  • Data handling: Groq documents that it does not retain inference data by default, with exceptions for batch, fine-tuning and LoRAs, and abuse investigations. We did not find an equivalent Cerebras API retention statement on the pages checked.
  • Dedicated and custom: Cerebras offers enterprise dedicated endpoints with custom weights for a provisioned architecture. Groq lists LoRA inference as a service tier.
  • Published security: Groq lists SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, and HIPAA. Cerebras lists SOC 2, CCPA, and GDPR.

Who each tends to fit

Teams needing HIPAA or a written default no-retention statement may start with Groq’s published terms. Enterprises needing dedicated endpoints with their own weights may look at Cerebras. Measure latency yourself; published speed figures are vendor claims.

Last checked: . No winner declared.

Side by side

FactGroqCerebras
StatusActive, privately held. On Dec 24, 2025 Groq announced a non-exclusive inference technology licensing agreement with Nvidia; Groq said it continues as an independent company and GroqCloud continues to operate.Active, publicly listed (Nasdaq: CBRS); Class A common stock began trading May 14, 2026.
OwnershipPrivately heldPublicly listed
Buying modelServerless per-token APIServerless per-token API, Dedicated or provisioned capacity
CategoriesServerless per-token API; Custom inference hardware (LPU)Serverless per-token API; Dedicated endpoints (enterprise); Custom inference hardware (wafer-scale)
PricingPublished per-token pricing on https://console.groq.com/docs/models (for example, GPT OSS 120B listed at $0.15 per 1M input tokens and $0.60 per 1M output tokens). The former groq.com/pricing URL redirects to the homepage.Published per-token pricing on https://www.cerebras.ai/pricing for the Developer tier (for example, GPT OSS 120B listed at $0.35 per 1M input tokens and $0.75 per 1M output tokens). Enterprise tier is quoted.
CertificationsSOC 2 Type II; GDPR; HIPAASOC 2; GDPR; CCPA
LimitationsModel list is limited to models Groq hosts; preview models may be discontinued at short notice; Bring-your-own-model is limited to LoRA inference on the pages checked; Region choice is not documented on the pages checkedDeveloper tier is described as for development, evaluation, and experimentation, not production use; Small self-serve model list; dedicated endpoints and custom weights are enterprise-only; Custom weights must match the architecture the dedicated endpoint is provisioned for; Trust Center lists SOC 2 without stating report type publicly; request access for documents
How to buyconsole.groq.comcerebras.ai
Sources[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] Checked 2026-11-08[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] Checked 2026-11-08

Facts come from each vendor’s profile sources. Run a paid pilot before choosing.