Providers Overview
SmarterAvatar integrates with multiple AI service providers. This flexibility lets you choose the best services for your needs and budget.
Provider Categories
LLM Providers
Large Language Models power the conversational intelligence:
| Provider | Best For | RAG Support | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gemini | RAG, long context | Native File Search | $0.50/1M tokens |
| OpenAI | General purpose | Via embeddings | $2.50/1M tokens |
| Anthropic | Complex reasoning | Via embeddings | $3.00/1M tokens |
STT Providers
Speech-to-Text converts voice input:
| Provider | Best For | Real-time | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whisper | Accuracy | No | $0.006/min |
| Deepgram | Low latency | Yes | $0.0077/min |
Avatar Providers
Avatar synthesis creates the video experience:
| Provider | Type | Quality | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| HeyGen | Real-time streaming | High | ~$0.10/min |
Quick Comparison
For a typical 3-minute conversation:
| Component | Budget Option | Premium Option |
|---|---|---|
| LLM | Gemini Flash ($0.01) | Claude Sonnet ($0.08) |
| STT | Whisper ($0.02) | Deepgram ($0.02) |
| Avatar | HeyGen ($0.30) | HeyGen ($0.30) |
| Total | ~$0.33 | ~$0.40 |
Configuration
All providers are configured via environment variables:
# LLM Provider Selection
LLM_PROVIDER=gemini # gemini | openai | anthropic
# STT Provider Selection
STT_PROVIDER=whisper # whisper | deepgram
# Provider API Keys
GEMINI_API_KEY=AIza...
OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-...
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-...
DEEPGRAM_API_KEY=...
LIVEAVATAR_API_KEY=...
Recommended Configurations
Cost-Optimized
Best for high-volume, budget-conscious deployments:
LLM_PROVIDER=gemini
GEMINI_MODEL=gemini-3.0-flash
STT_PROVIDER=whisper
Quality-Optimized
Best for enterprise deployments requiring top accuracy:
LLM_PROVIDER=anthropic
ANTHROPIC_MODEL=claude-sonnet-4-20250514
STT_PROVIDER=deepgram
DEEPGRAM_MODEL=nova-2
Latency-Optimized
Best for real-time conversation feel:
LLM_PROVIDER=gemini
GEMINI_MODEL=gemini-3.0-flash
STT_PROVIDER=deepgram
DEEPGRAM_MODEL=nova-2
Testing Providers
Use the admin panel to test provider connectivity:
- Navigate to Admin Panel → Provider Testing
- Click Test Connection for each provider
- Verify all providers show green status
Or use the CLI:
pnpm verify-deployment
This checks all configured providers and reports any issues.