Together AI vs DashScope 2026: Which API Is Actually Cheaper?
Quick verdict: Together AI is our overall pick for Together AI vs DashScope.
- Best overall: Together AI (3.9/5)
- Best free: DashScope
- Best for teams: Together AI
- Pricing last checked: 2026-09-07
Together AI (3.9/5) and DashScope (3.8/5) both serve AI API inference, but with very different model rosters and pricing. Together AI starts at $0.05/1M tokens with a no free tier, while DashScope starts at ¥0.20/1M tokens (~$0.03) with a free tier. Here is how they actually compare on speed, model selection, and true cost.
| Tool | Rating | Pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Together AI Best overall Best for teams | 3.9/5 | $0.05/1M tokens | Together AI is an open-model inference platform with 100+ open-source models, fine-tuning … |
| DashScope Best free | 3.8/5 | Free ¥0.20/1M tokens (~$0.03) | DashScope is Alibaba Cloud's AI model service — Qwen, GLM, MiniMax and other Chinese model… |
Bottom line: Together AI is the open-model production platform — 100+ models, fine-tuning, dedicated GPUs, and batch discounts. DashScope is the China-market specialist — Qwen and other Chinese models at competitive prices with native Chinese docs and UI. Pick Together AI for production AI teams working with open models; pick DashScope for Chinese-language workloads and Qwen-native development.
Pricing and details
Together AI · 3.9/5
$5 free signup credit · $0.05/1M tokens
Pay-per-token, no monthly minimums; $5 free signup credit (no credit card required for trial); cheapest: GPT-OSS 20B $0.05/$0.20 per 1M; Llama 3.3 70B $0.88 flat per 1M; DeepSeek V3.1 $0.60/$1.70; DeepSeek V4 Pro $2.10/$4.40; fine-tuning LoRA extra; Batch API 50% off; dedicated GPU hours separate
Together AI is an open-model inference platform with 100+ open-source models, fine-tuning support, and dedicated GPU capacity — built for production AI teams.
Score breakdown
Pros
- Best dimension: Core features at 4/5 — backed by verification against the official site & pricing.
- Second strong point: Stability at 4/5.
- Pricing: Pay-per-token, no monthly minimums
- Positioning: Together AI is an open-model inference platform with 100+ open-source models, fine-tuning support, and dedicated GPU capacity — built for production AI teams.
Cons
- Weakest dimension: Localization at 2/5.
- Weigh localization before committing.
Pricing verified 2026-09-07
DashScope · 3.8/5
Free plan available · ¥0.20/1M tokens (~$0.03)
Pay-per-token in CNY; Qwen3.6-Flash ¥0.20/1M input / ¥1.20 output (~$0.03/$0.17); Qwen3.7-Plus ¥0.32/¥1.28 (~$0.05/$0.18); Qwen3.8-Max $2.00/$6.00 per 1M (GA Aug 2026); free signup credits vary by promotion (historical: free tier with RPM/daily caps); billing in CNY via Alibaba Cloud; full Chinese UI + docs
DashScope is Alibaba Cloud's AI model service — Qwen, GLM, MiniMax and other Chinese models with OpenAI-compatible API, free credit promotions, and native Chinese support.
Score breakdown
Pros
- Best dimension: Localization at 5/5 — backed by verification against the official site & pricing.
- Second strong point: Stability at 4/5.
- Pricing: Pay-per-token in CNY
- Positioning: DashScope is Alibaba Cloud's AI model service — Qwen, GLM, MiniMax and other Chinese models with OpenAI-compatible API, free credit promotions, and native Chinese support.
Cons
- Weakest dimension: Collaboration at 3/5.
- Weigh collaboration before committing.
Pricing verified 2026-09-07
Frequently asked questions
Which is better overall, Together AI or DashScope?
Together AI is our overall pick (3.9/5 vs 3.8/5). Together AI (3.9/5) and DashScope (3.8/5) both serve AI API inference, but with very different model rosters and pricing. Together AI starts at $0.05/1M tokens with a no free tier, while DashScope starts at ¥0.20/1M tokens (~$0.03) with a free tier. Here is how they actually compare on speed, model selection, and true cost.
Do Together AI and DashScope offer free plans?
DashScope has a free tier. Together AI paid plans start at $0.05/1M tokens; DashScope paid plans start at ¥0.20/1M tokens (~$0.03).
What does Together AI cost?
$0.05/1M tokens — Pay-per-token, no monthly minimums; $5 free signup credit (no credit card required for trial); cheapest: GPT-OSS 20B $0.05/$0.20 per 1M; Llama 3.3 70B $0.88 flat per 1M; DeepSeek V3.1 $0.60/$1.70; DeepSeek V4 Pro $2.10/$4.40; fine-tuning LoRA extra; Batch API 50% off; dedicated GPU hours separate. Prices were last verified on 2026-09-07.