Groq vs SambaNova
Agent-native side-by-side. Scores are curated estimates on a 0–10 scale. Lock-in: higher = worse. Prefer JTBD picks via /api/decide when choosing for a job.
| Dimension | Groq | SambaNova |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 8.0 | 7.5 |
| Capability fit | 7.8 | 8.0 |
| Price / performance | 9.0 | 7.8 |
| Latency / reliability | 8.2 | 8.2 |
| Developer & agent DX | 8.8 | 6.8 |
| Privacy / data retention | 7.0 | 8.0 |
| Lock-in risk (higher = worse) | 5.0 | 6.0 |
| Maturity / track record | 7.8 | 8.0 |
| Pricing | Per-token with free tier; LPU inference; narrow production model set (Llama/Qwen/GPT-OSS etc.); batch discounts. Llama Guard 4 12B (model id meta-llama/llama-guard-4-12b) is still documented at console.groq.com/docs/mode… | As of 2026-09-14 (cloud.sambanova.ai/plans/pricing): MiniMax-M2.7 $0.60/$2.40 per 1M (cached in $0.06); DeepSeek V3.1/V3.2 $3/$4.50; gemma-4-31B-it $0.38/$1.15; gpt-oss-120b $0.22/$0.59; Llama 3.3 70B $0.60/$1.20; MiniMa… |
| Tagline | Use when latency is the product. Do not build your whole company on one Groq model SKU — they rotate. | Public token matrix now exists — gpt-oss-120b $0.22/$0.59 is the value SKU. Indie agents still default… |
Groq
Use when latency is the product. Do not build your whole company on one Groq model SKU — they rotate. Strengths: Blazing tokens/sec latency; Simple API and free tier for prototypes; Great for real-time agent loops on supported models.
Strengths
- Blazing tokens/sec latency
- Simple API and free tier for prototypes
- Great for real-time agent loops on supported models
Weaknesses
- Limited model variety
- Aggressive model deprecations
- Not for frontier closed models
SambaNova
Public token matrix now exists — gpt-oss-120b $0.22/$0.59 is the value SKU. Indie agents still default Fireworks/Together/Groq unless SambaNova is already in-procurement. Strengths: High-performance enterprise inference; Custom silicon efficiency narrative; Enterprise sales motion.
Strengths
- High-performance enterprise inference
- Custom silicon efficiency narrative
- Enterprise sales motion
Weaknesses
- Self-serve DX weaker than Groq/Fireworks
- Less transparent public pricing
- Smaller indie community
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