Helicone
helicone.ai
Open-source observability platform for monitoring LLM API usage.
Quick Information
- Category:
- Coding
- Pricing:
- Freemium
- Platforms:
- Web, API
- Free Plan:
- Yes
- API Available:
- Yes
- Last Verified:
- September 2026
What Is Helicone?
Helicone is a fully open-source (Apache 2.0), self-hostable LLM observability platform offering cost monitoring and rapid integration across diverse LLM applications via a proxy-based approach. Its hosted product pricing runs Hobby (free, 10,000 requests/month, 1GB storage), Pro at $79/month (unlimited seats, alerts, reports, HQL, one-month retention), Team at $799/month, and custom Enterprise — with usage-based overages beyond the included 10,000 free requests and 1GB storage on both Pro and Team.
A significant status change worth knowing directly: Mintlify acquired Helicone in March 2026 and put the hosted product into maintenance mode — meaning the hosted service remains functional but isn't under active new-feature development going forward. Since Helicone is fully open-source and self-hostable at no cost, this is meaningfully different from a full shutdown: organizations can continue using the hosted product as-is, or self-host the open-source version for ongoing full control and independence from the hosted service's development status.
It's aimed at developers needing LLM observability and cost monitoring, with the March 2026 acquisition and maintenance-mode status of the hosted product being important to understand — self-hosting remains a fully viable, actively-code-available alternative given the open-source nature of the platform. See our Coding tools directory for related AI development infrastructure tools.
What Can You Use Helicone For?
LLM cost monitoring
Monitors and tracks costs across LLM application usage.
LLM observability
Provides monitoring and evaluation for LLM-powered applications.
Self-hosted observability deployment
Deploys the open-source platform independently for full control.
Helicone Features
- Proxy-based observability — Monitors LLM applications through a proxy-based integration approach.
- Cost tracking — Tracks and monitors costs across diverse LLM applications.
- Open-source self-hosting — Fully open-source (Apache 2.0) and self-hostable at no cost.
- Free hosted tier — Provides 10,000 free requests/month and 1GB storage on the Hobby plan.
Who Is Helicone For?
- Developers needing LLM cost monitoring — Tracks and monitors costs across their LLM application usage.
- Teams wanting full control — Self-hosts the open-source version rather than relying on the now-maintenance-mode hosted product.
Helicone Pros & Limitations
What We Like
- Genuinely open-source and self-hostable at no cost, providing independence from the hosted product
- Free hosted tier includes a real 10,000 monthly requests before requiring payment
- Proxy-based approach enables rapid integration across diverse LLM applications
Limitations
- Hosted product entered maintenance mode after Mintlify’s March 2026 acquisition — no longer under active new-feature development
- Usage-based overages beyond the included free requests/storage add to cost on Pro and Team
- Teams wanting continued active development should consider self-hosting or evaluating alternatives
Helicone Pricing
| Plan | Price | Main Features |
|---|---|---|
| Hobby | $0 | 10,000 requests/month, 1GB storage |
| Pro | $79/month | Unlimited seats, alerts, reports, HQL, 1-month retention |
| Team | $799/month | Expanded features and retention |
| Self-hosted | $0 | Full open-source deployment (Apache 2.0) |
Pricing was last verified September 2026. Check the official website for the latest pricing.
AI Listing Jungle Ranking
- Global Rank:
- #781
- Overall Score:
- 10.3/100
- Monthly Users:
- –
- Rank Change:
- ▼ 3
This ranking reflects AI Listing Jungle's own independent scoring methodology and is not an endorsement by Helicone or its company. How Our Rankings Work
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Helicone still actively developed?
Mintlify acquired Helicone in March 2026 and put the hosted product into maintenance mode, though it remains functional.
Can I self-host Helicone?
Yes, it’s fully open-source (Apache 2.0) and self-hostable at no cost.
How much does the hosted product cost?
Free for 10,000 requests/month, with Pro at $79/month and Team at $799/month.
What does maintenance mode mean for users?
The hosted product remains functional but isn’t under active new-feature development.
Our Take
Helicone's genuinely open-source, self-hostable nature means the March 2026 acquisition and maintenance-mode status of the hosted product is less concerning than it would be for a closed-source tool — self-hosting remains a fully viable path.
Teams prioritizing active ongoing development should factor in the hosted product's current status when deciding between hosted and self-hosted deployment.
Helicone Alternatives
Helicone Comparisons
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