Does LightOn or Upstage have a free plan?

LightOn is a paid tool. Upstage is available for free. Always verify current pricing directly with the vendor.

LightOn vs Upstage

Q: Can I use LightOn and Upstage together?

Yes, many teams use both tools together for different purposes. Use the Stack Builder section above to combine LightOn and Upstage with other tools and save your AI toolkit.

Comprehensive side-by-side comparison — features, pricing, performance, and more.

Updated May 2026

LightOn

Secure AI Search & Reasoning for Enterprise Data

0.0(0)

PAID

91% data quality

Upstage

Transform workflows with powerful LLMs and document AI.

0.0(0)

FREEMIUM

95% data quality

Trust & Reliability

LightOn

Customers (per vendor):Safran, Babbar, Region Ile De France

GDPR

Upstage

Users:1K-10K

Too Close to Call

LightOn (6.7) vs Upstage (6.7) — difference of 0.0 points

AI Comparison Summary

LightOn

6.7

avg score

Upstage

6.7

avg score

Both tools score very similarly overall — the best choice depends on your specific priorities.

Based on 6 dimensions

How scores are calculated

Too close to call — it's a tie

LightOn

Best For

Implementing secure AI search on internal knowledge bases

Automating RFP responses with reliable content

Powering self-service customer support portals

Developing AI-powered internal assistants

Not Ideal For

Individuals or small teams seeking a free or low-cost AI search solution

Users who prefer fully managed SaaS solutions without data residency concerns

Organizations without significant internal IT resources for deployment and management

Upstage

Best For

Automating document processing in enterprises

Extracting structured data from unstructured text

Powering LLM-driven automation in high-stakes industries

Building AI agents for document workflows

Not Ideal For

Individuals or small teams with very limited budgets for API usage.

Users seeking a simple, no-code AI tool without API integration.

Applications requiring offline functionality without on-premise deployment.

* Verdict is based on our algorithmic scoring of publicly available data. Learn about our methodology

LightOn is best for

✍️Writing & Content9.0💬Chat & Conversation9.0

Upstage is best for

✍️Writing & Content7.0💬Chat & Conversation7.0🤖Automation & Agents7.0

Filter by your use case:

Pros & Cons

LightOn

Pros

Ensures zero data exfiltration with on-premise or sovereign cloud deployment
Handles massive, multimodal unstructured data including complex formats like images and diagrams
Supports advanced search behaviors like conversational Q&A and agentic reasoning
Mirrors native permissions (ACLs) for strict data governance and segregation
Offers both API for developers and ready-to-use white-label interface for business teams
GDPR compliant and SOC 2 Type 1 compliant

Cons

Requires significant hardware (GPU) investment for on-premise deployment
SOC 2 Type 1 is mentioned, not Type II certification
Deployment takes about three weeks, which might be long for some use cases
No explicit mention of a free tier or transparent pricing

Upstage

Pros

High-performance, enterprise-grade AI models
Specialized document intelligence with high accuracy
Flexible deployment options including on-premise
Proprietary LLMs optimized for speed and groundedness
Strong focus on security and compliance (HIPAA, ISO)
Offers free access for educational and public interest organizations

Cons

Pricing is usage-based, which can be unpredictable for high volume.
Free access for Studio is a limited-time preview.
Refunds for purchased credits are only available if no API usage history exists.
Primarily governed by South Korean legal standards, which may differ from other regions.

Weighted Score — Adjust What Matters to You

Pick a profile or drag sliders — scores and radar update instantly on the right.

Quick profiles:

Ease of Use5

Output Quality5

Value for Money5

Customizability5

Support & Ecosystem5

Integration Power5

Dimension Comparison

LightOn

6.7

/ 10

Upstage

6.7

/ 10

Dimension Breakdown

Ease of Use

How easy it is to get started and use daily

LightOn

6.0

Upstage

6.0

Output Quality

Quality and accuracy of generated results

LightOn

8.0

Upstage

8.0

Value for Money

Cost vs. features and output quality

LightOn

7.0▲ +1.0

Upstage

6.0

Customizability

Calculated

Ability to tailor to specific needs

LightOn

6.0▲ +1.0

Upstage

5.0

Support & Ecosystem

Documentation, community, and support quality

LightOn

7.0

Upstage

7.0

Integration Power

Calculated

Ability to connect with other tools and workflows

LightOn

6.0

Upstage

8.0▲ +2.0

Calculated = derived from verified integration count and API/open-source signals. AI = LLM-assessed from public website content. Methodology

Task Performance

LightOn

Task

Upstage

2.0

Code Completion

7.0

2.0

Bug Detection

6.0

2.0

Code Explanation

7.0

2.0

Refactoring

6.0

2.0

Test Generation

5.0

2.0

Multi Language Support

7.0

9.0

Context Understanding

7.0

2.0

Documentation Generation

6.0

2.0

Performance Optimization

7.0

2.0

Security Scanning

8.0

* Task scores (1–10) are algorithmically generated from publicly available data.

Data is sourced from public information and vendor websites. It may not always be up-to-date — verify pricing and features directly with the vendor before purchasing.Report inaccuracy

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, LightOn or Upstage?

Both are strong options. LightOn has a rating of 0.0/5 (0 reviews), while Upstage has a rating of 0.0/5 (0 reviews). The best choice depends on your specific use case, budget, and workflow requirements.

Is LightOn cheaper than Upstage?

LightOn starts at free (paid model). Upstage starts at $100/month (freemium model). Use the Cost Calculator above for a detailed estimate.

What are the main differences between LightOn and Upstage?

LightOn — "Secure AI Search & Reasoning for Enterprise Data". Upstage — "Transform workflows with powerful LLMs and document AI.". Key differences include their pricing models, platform support, integrations, and technical capabilities. See the Feature Comparison table above for a complete side-by-side breakdown.

Can I use LightOn and Upstage together?

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