Comparison

Llama 4 vs Claude 4

Open-weight vs closed-source for production AI.

· 4 min read

Llama 4 (Meta) and Claude 4 (Anthropic) represent different approaches: open-weight self-hosting vs closed-source API.

Llama 4 Overview

  • Models: Scout, Maverick, Behemoth
  • License: Open-weight (Llama 4 Community License)
  • Deployment: Self-hosted or via providers
  • Multimodal: Native text, image, video, audio

Claude 4 Overview

  • Models: Opus 4, Sonnet 4, Haiku 4.5
  • License: Proprietary API
  • Deployment: API only
  • Strengths: Agentic tasks, extended thinking

When to Choose Each

  • Llama 4: Data sovereignty, cost at scale, customization
  • Claude 4: Agentic workflows, no infrastructure, safety focus

Which is better for production?

Depends on your requirements. Llama 4 for data control and cost optimization. Claude 4 for agentic tasks and managed infrastructure. Both need monitoring for safety.