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Together AI vs SambaNova

SambaNova sells fast decode on its own dataflow chip with a smaller catalog. Together runs a broad GPU-based open-model platform with training and clusters.

By The Subconscious Team · Updated

Together AI vs SambaNova: key differences

SambaNova designs the RDU chip and serves models like MiniMax M2.7, DeepSeek, Gemma 4 31B and GPT-OSS 120B on SambaCloud. Its memory design lets one system hold very large models and swap between them in milliseconds, which suits agents that bounce across models. SambaNova claims its SN50 rack runs MiniMax M2.7 near 820 tokens per second in its fastest configuration, though many headline numbers are vendor benchmarks on hardware still ramping. Together serves on GPUs, with a stack shaped by the FlashAttention and Medusa researchers, and covers far more models and modalities.

The business models diverge. Much of SambaNova's value arrives through hardware sales to neoclouds and partnerships, not a large self-serve developer platform. Together is self-serve end to end: serverless, batch, dedicated, GPU clusters, fine-tuning and code sandboxes, though with no free tier. Interactive coding agents on big open models are where SambaNova's decode speed can pay off. Teams that need breadth, training and production rollout tooling will find more of it on Together.

What Together AI and SambaNova do

Together AI

Together AI is the broadest open-model platform in the category. One bill covers per-token serverless inference, batch at up to 50% off, provisioned throughput with a 99% SLA, dedicated deployments, raw GPU clusters, managed fine-tuning and code sandboxes for agents. The text catalog runs past thirty open models, including DeepSeek V4, Kimi K3, GLM 5.2, Qwen 3.8 and MiniMax M3, plus image, video, speech and embedding models. Token prices sit at parity with Fireworks and Baseten.

Example models: Kimi K3, DeepSeek V4 Pro

Full Together AI profile

SambaNova

SambaNova designs its own inference chip, the Reconfigurable Dataflow Unit, and sells fast tokens on large open models through SambaCloud. The RDU maps the model graph onto the chip to cut trips to off-chip memory. A three-tier memory design of SRAM, HBM and bulk DRAM lets one system host very large models and hot swap between several of them in milliseconds. SambaCloud serves models like MiniMax M2.7, DeepSeek, Gemma 4 31B and GPT-OSS 120B, with speeds reported by Artificial Analysis.

Example models: MiniMax M2.7, GPT-OSS 120B

Full SambaNova profile

Should you choose Together AI or SambaNova?

Together AI

Choose Together AI for

  • Self-serve access to a wide open-model catalog
  • Training and serving on one platform
  • Image, video and speech models alongside text

SambaNova

Choose SambaNova for

  • Fast decode for interactive coding agents on large models
  • Agents that switch between models within one session
  • Neoclouds adding a premium speed tier

Together AI vs SambaNova at a glance

AttributeTogether AISambaNova
Model accessOpen weightsOpen weights
Flagship modelsKimi K3, DeepSeek V4, GLM 5.2, Qwen 3.8MiniMax M2.7, GPT-OSS 120B, DeepSeek
Speed0.99s TTFT on DeepSeek V4 Pro~820 tok/s on MiniMax M2.7 (SN50)
PriceParity with Fireworks and Baseten$0.22 in, $0.59 out (GPT-OSS 120B)
CustomizationLoRA and full SFT; RL in betaUnknown
DeploymentServerless, dedicated, GPU clustersSambaCloud, racks for neoclouds
Long context512K on DeepSeek V4 ProUp to 192K (MiniMax M2.7)

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Together AI and SambaNova?

SambaNova sells fast decode on its own dataflow chip with a smaller catalog. Together runs a broad GPU-based open-model platform with training and clusters.

When should I choose Together AI over SambaNova?

Self-serve access to a wide open-model catalog; Training and serving on one platform; Image, video and speech models alongside text.

When should I choose SambaNova over Together AI?

Fast decode for interactive coding agents on large models; Agents that switch between models within one session; Neoclouds adding a premium speed tier.

Is Together AI or SambaNova cheaper?

Together AI: Parity with Fireworks and Baseten. SambaNova: $0.22 in, $0.59 out (GPT-OSS 120B). The cheaper choice depends on the model and workload.

Which has more context, Together AI or SambaNova?

Together AI: 512K on DeepSeek V4 Pro. SambaNova: Up to 192K (MiniMax M2.7).

Related comparisons

Running long-horizon agents?

If your agents run past 200K tokens, compare both against Subconscious. Our inference stack treats a long-horizon trace as the primary workload, so speed, cost, and accuracy hold up deep into the trace.

Subconscious vs Together AISubconscious vs SambaNova