RelayPlane vs ClawRouter
ClawRouter is a Go-based LLM gateway with 4,300+ GitHub stars, built for Kubernetes teams who want Helm charts, OpenTelemetry export, and load balancing across providers. RelayPlane is an MIT-licensed npm package that runs on localhost with zero config and enforces per-request cost budgets automatically. Here is how they compare for Node.js developers and AI agent builders.
TL;DR
Choose RelayPlane when you want:
- npm install and running in 30 seconds with no Docker
- Per-request budget enforcement with automatic model downgrade
- Built-in SQLite cost dashboard with no external services
- TypeScript and Node.js native, fits your existing stack
- Claude Code and Cursor integration with one baseURL swap
ClawRouter may work for you if you need:
- Kubernetes deployment with official Helm charts
- OpenTelemetry trace export to enterprise observability stacks
- Go runtime with Prometheus metrics and Grafana dashboards
- Multi-provider load balancing in a containerized infrastructure
Feature Comparison
| Feature | RelayPlane | ClawRouter |
|---|---|---|
| Product type RelayPlane is an npm package you install globally and run on localhost with no Docker required. ClawRouter is a Go binary designed for Kubernetes deployments, distributed via container images and Helm charts. | npm-native LLM proxy (local-first, Node.js) | Go-based LLM gateway (Kubernetes/Docker-native) |
| Install method RelayPlane is one npm command away for any Node.js developer. ClawRouter requires pulling a Go binary or container image and writing a YAML configuration file before serving any requests. | npm install -g @relayplane/proxy | Go binary or Docker image + YAML config |
| Zero-config startup RelayPlane starts with relayplane start and no configuration file required. ClawRouter requires a YAML config file specifying providers, routes, and upstream targets before it can start. | ||
| No Docker required RelayPlane runs as a Node.js process with no container dependency. ClawRouter is distributed as a Docker image and its recommended install path involves Docker Compose or Kubernetes. | ||
| Per-request budget enforcement RelayPlane enforces per-request and per-session budgets and automatically routes to a cheaper model when a cost threshold is reached. ClawRouter provides routing and load balancing but does not enforce per-request cost budgets. | Yes -- auto-downgrade to cheaper model when budget exceeded | |
| Built-in cost dashboard RelayPlane includes a built-in web dashboard backed by local SQLite showing per-request costs, model breakdowns, and spend totals. ClawRouter exports Prometheus metrics, which requires a separate Grafana setup to visualize. | SQLite-backed local dashboard | Prometheus metrics export (requires Grafana) |
| TypeScript/Node.js native RelayPlane is written in TypeScript and runs natively in Node.js. ClawRouter is written in Go. For Node.js teams, RelayPlane integrates naturally with existing tooling, debugging, and deployment workflows. | ||
| Kubernetes and Helm support ClawRouter is purpose-built for Kubernetes environments and ships official Helm charts for production cluster deployments. RelayPlane is focused on local and edge deployments and does not include Kubernetes Helm support. | ||
| OpenTelemetry export ClawRouter supports OpenTelemetry trace export to enterprise observability stacks. RelayPlane stores telemetry locally in SQLite and does not currently export OpenTelemetry traces. | ||
| GitHub stars ClawRouter has over 4,300 GitHub stars, reflecting strong adoption in the Kubernetes and Go communities. RelayPlane is focused on the Node.js and npm ecosystem. | Growing | 4,300+ |
| No account required Both tools are open source and require no account or external service to run. ClawRouter is self-hosted. RelayPlane runs on localhost with no signup. | ||
| Open source Both projects publish source code. RelayPlane is MIT licensed. ClawRouter is open source on GitHub. | MIT | Open source (Go, GitHub) |
| Works with Claude Code and Cursor RelayPlane is designed for Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, and Aider with direct integration docs. ClawRouter exposes an OpenAI-compatible endpoint that can be configured manually but is not documented for coding assistants. | Via OpenAI-compatible endpoint (manual config) | |
| Complexity-based model routing RelayPlane routes requests to cheaper models based on estimated complexity. ClawRouter supports load balancing and failover across providers but does not route based on request content or cost. | Load balancing and failover only | |
| Local data storage RelayPlane keeps all request data on your machine in a local SQLite file you own indefinitely. ClawRouter pushes metrics to external systems like Prometheus. | All logs stored locally in SQLite | Metrics exported to Prometheus (external) |
Why Node.js Developers Choose RelayPlane Over ClawRouter
npm install vs Go binary plus Docker
npm install -g @relayplane/proxy and you are proxying LLM requests in under 30 seconds. ClawRouter requires downloading a Go binary or pulling a Docker image, writing a YAML configuration file, and wiring up providers before a single request routes through it. For Node.js developers who want to add cost tracking or budget enforcement without leaving the npm ecosystem, RelayPlane removes every step that ClawRouter requires.
Per-request budget enforcement with automatic model downgrade
RelayPlane enforces per-request and per-session spend budgets and automatically routes to a cheaper model when a cost threshold is hit. If a request would exceed your budget for the session, RelayPlane downgrades to a less expensive model rather than failing. ClawRouter is a capable routing and load balancing layer but does not implement this kind of cost-aware auto-downgrade behavior.
Built-in SQLite dashboard vs Prometheus plus Grafana
RelayPlane includes a local web dashboard that shows per-request costs, model breakdowns, and cumulative spend out of the box. No external services required. ClawRouter exports Prometheus metrics, which is powerful for Kubernetes observability stacks but requires standing up a Grafana instance and writing dashboards before you can see anything. For individual developers or small teams, that is substantial operational overhead.
TypeScript runtime vs Go binary for Node.js teams
RelayPlane runs in Node.js and is written in TypeScript, which means it fits naturally into the same runtime, debugging toolchain, and deployment pipeline as your application code. ClawRouter is a Go binary. Go is fast and efficient, but for a Node.js team it introduces a second runtime to manage, a different debugging model, and a separate build process. For most Node.js projects, RelayPlane is the lower-friction choice.
ClawRouter Is Built for Kubernetes. RelayPlane Is Built for Node.js Developers.
ClawRouter is a genuinely capable LLM gateway with over 4,300 GitHub stars, strong Kubernetes support via Helm charts, OpenTelemetry integration for enterprise observability, and load balancing across multiple providers. If your infrastructure runs on Kubernetes and your team is comfortable with Go and Prometheus, ClawRouter is a credible production choice.
But if you are a Node.js developer or AI agent builder who wants to add per-request cost tracking and budget enforcement today, without Docker, without a YAML config, and without standing up a Prometheus and Grafana stack to see your spend, ClawRouter is a significant amount of overhead. RelayPlane installs in one npm command, starts with no config, and gives you a built-in cost dashboard backed by local SQLite in under 30 seconds.
Get Running in 30 Seconds
No Docker. No YAML. No Prometheus setup: