With so many AI platforms — hyperscaler clouds, single-model vendors, orchestration layers, point solutions — choosing between them is genuinely confusing. The key is to evaluate on what matters and match to your actual goal. Here’s how, and how dgm fits. (dgm implements osFoundry, a separate company’s platform — we are not osFoundry.)

The criteria that matter

  • Model flexibility — can you use and switch models, or are you locked to one? (See bring your own model.)
  • Data control — where does your data go, and is it used to train models?
  • Integration fit — does it connect to the systems you run?
  • Lock-in risk — is it tied to one cloud or vendor? (See how to avoid lock-in.)
  • Pricing transparency — clear and predictable, or opaque?
  • Fit with your goal — the most important: what are you actually trying to do?

Know the platform types

  • Hyperscaler platforms — powerful and broad, but cloud-locked to one provider.
  • Single-model/vendor platforms — convenient, but lock you to one model family.
  • Orchestration platforms — model-agnostic, built to run agents and consolidate tools.
  • Point solutions — excellent at one specific function.

Which fits depends on your goal — orchestration and consolidation, building features, or a specific function. (Our comparison guides cover many specific platforms.)

The core trade-off: flexibility vs convenience

Cloud-locked and single-model platforms are convenient but tie you to one cloud or model; model-agnostic platforms keep you flexible at the cost of being more general. For most businesses wanting to avoid lock-in — especially in a fast-moving model market — flexibility wins.

Don’t just pick the famous one

The most popular platform isn’t necessarily the best fit, and the biggest hyperscaler platforms lock you to their cloud. Choose on fit, not fame — your goal, integration needs, and lock-in tolerance.

How dgm helps

dgm specializes in osFoundry — a model-agnostic orchestration platform built to consolidate SaaS and avoid lock-in — but its $399 assessment starts from your needs, not the tool. If osFoundry isn’t the right fit for a goal, dgm will say so. If you’d rather explore the platform yourself first, go straight to osFoundry; if you want help choosing and implementing, that’s where dgm comes in.