# Meta vs OpenScale

> Meta's API serves closed Muse models in preview. OpenScale serves open DeepSeek V4.1 Flash at low prices with zero data retention.

Canonical: https://www.subconscious.dev/compare/meta-vs-openscale · By The Subconscious Team · Updated October 11, 2026

## How they compare

Meta serves Muse Spark 1.3 with a 1M context at $1.25 in and $4.25 out per million tokens, or $0.10 in and $0.20 out on a Contributor tier that lets Meta train on your data. Its endpoint speaks OpenAI and Anthropic formats and adds image generation and transcription. OpenScale serves DeepSeek V4.1 Flash with a 1M context at $0.06 in, $0.003 cached and $0.24 out under a 50% promotion, at 200+ tokens per second.

The privacy trade runs opposite ways. Meta's cheapest tier requires sharing data, while OpenScale never stores chat request bodies. Meta fits multimodal agents and teams that want a big lab behind the API. OpenScale fits cheap, cache-heavy coding agents on an open model.

## What each one does

### Meta

Meta has moved from open Llama releases toward its own closed API. Meta Superintelligence Labs builds the Muse family, and in July 2026 Meta opened a public preview of the Meta Model API with Muse Spark 1.1, a multimodal reasoning model aimed at agentic coding, tool use and computer use. The current lineup runs through Muse Spark 1.3 with a 1M token context. Standard pricing is $1.25 in and $4.25 out per million tokens, with cached input at $0.15, and the endpoint speaks OpenAI Chat Completions, Anthropic Messages and a stateful agentic format.

### OpenScale

OpenScale is a Y Combinator-backed inference API built by LatentSpace and run out of Singapore. It sells open models behind one endpoint that speaks Chat Completions, the OpenAI Responses API and Anthropic Messages, so Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, Cline, GitHub Copilot, Zed and other coding agents can point at it with a base URL and key. Its public catalog today is DeepSeek V4.1 Flash in two versions, standard and fast, both with a 1M token context window and up to 384K output tokens.

## Which is best, and when

### Choose Meta for

- Multimodal agents with image and voice
- A large lab behind the API
- Open Muse Glimmer for self-hosting

### Choose OpenScale for

- Low prices without sharing data
- Cache-heavy coding agents
- Zero data retention by default

## At a glance

| Attribute | Meta | OpenScale |
|---|---|---|
| Model access | Closed API; open Muse Glimmer | Open weights |
| Flagship models | Muse Spark 1.3, Muse Glimmer | DeepSeek V4.1 Flash |
| Speed | ~145–233 tok/s on Muse Spark 1.3 | 200+ tok/s; fast tier ~2x |
| Price | $1.25 in, $4.25 out; Contributor tier cheaper | $0.06 in, $0.24 out (promo, DeepSeek V4.1 Flash) |
| Customization | Open Muse Glimmer weights to fine-tune | N/A |
| Deployment | Meta Model API (preview) | Serverless API |
| Long context | 1M | 1M context |

## FAQ

### What is the difference between Meta and OpenScale?

Meta's API serves closed Muse models in preview. OpenScale serves open DeepSeek V4.1 Flash at low prices with zero data retention.

### When should I choose Meta over OpenScale?

Multimodal agents with image and voice; A large lab behind the API; Open Muse Glimmer for self-hosting.

### When should I choose OpenScale over Meta?

Low prices without sharing data; Cache-heavy coding agents; Zero data retention by default.

### Is Meta or OpenScale cheaper?

Meta: $1.25 in, $4.25 out; Contributor tier cheaper. OpenScale: $0.06 in, $0.24 out (promo, DeepSeek V4.1 Flash). The cheaper choice depends on the model and workload.

### Which has more context, Meta or OpenScale?

Meta: 1M. OpenScale: 1M context.

## Running long-horizon agents?

If your agents run past 200K tokens, compare both against Subconscious: [Subconscious vs Meta](https://www.subconscious.dev/compare/subconscious-vs-meta.md), [Subconscious vs OpenScale](https://www.subconscious.dev/compare/subconscious-vs-openscale.md).

Full profiles: [Meta](https://www.subconscious.dev/providers/meta.md), [OpenScale](https://www.subconscious.dev/providers/openscale.md).