# 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.

Canonical: https://www.subconscious.dev/compare/together-ai-vs-sambanova · By The Subconscious Team · Updated September 30, 2026

## How they compare

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 each one does

### 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.

### 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.

## Which is best, and when

### 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

### 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

## At a glance

| Attribute | Together AI | SambaNova |
|---|---|---|
| Model access | Open weights | Open weights |
| Flagship models | Kimi K3, DeepSeek V4, GLM 5.2, Qwen 3.8 | MiniMax M2.7, GPT-OSS 120B, DeepSeek |
| Speed | 0.99s TTFT on DeepSeek V4 Pro | ~820 tok/s on MiniMax M2.7 (SN50) |
| Price | Parity with Fireworks and Baseten | $0.22 in, $0.59 out (GPT-OSS 120B) |
| Customization | LoRA and full SFT; RL in beta | - |
| Deployment | Serverless, dedicated, GPU clusters | SambaCloud, racks for neoclouds |
| Long context | 512K on DeepSeek V4 Pro | Up to 192K (MiniMax M2.7) |

## FAQ

### 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).

## Running long-horizon agents?

If your agents run past 200K tokens, compare both against Subconscious: [Subconscious vs Together AI](https://www.subconscious.dev/compare/subconscious-vs-together-ai.md), [Subconscious vs SambaNova](https://www.subconscious.dev/compare/subconscious-vs-sambanova.md).

Full profiles: [Together AI](https://www.subconscious.dev/providers/together-ai.md), [SambaNova](https://www.subconscious.dev/providers/sambanova.md).