OpenRouter
One API key for 500+ AI models. Access GPT, Claude, Gemini, Llama, and more through a single, OpenAI compatible endpoint.
What it is
OpenRouter is a unified API that lets developers access over 500 AI models from 70+ providers through a single endpoint. Instead of signing up for separate accounts with OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta, and others, you use one API key that works with all of them. The API is fully compatible with the OpenAI format, so most existing code works with a one line change. OpenRouter handles provider routing, automatic fallbacks when a provider is down, and lets you compare models side by side. It also offers 25+ free models at any time, making it one of the easiest ways to start building with AI.
Who it is for
Developers who want one API key for every AI model instead of managing accounts with OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and others separately
Teams comparing AI models side by side without setting up separate provider integrations for each one
Applications that need automatic fallbacks so they stay online even when an AI provider has an outage
Cost conscious developers who want to route requests to the cheapest or fastest provider automatically
Startups and hobbyists who want to prototype with free AI models before committing to a paid provider
Developers migrating between models who want to switch providers with a single parameter change, no code rewrite
Pros and cons
Pros
- +One API key, one billing account, and one integration for 500+ models. Massively reduces the overhead of working with multiple AI providers.
- +Fully compatible with the OpenAI API format, so existing code and SDKs work with minimal changes.
- +Automatic fallbacks mean your app keeps working even when individual providers go down.
- +25+ free models available at all times, making it easy to experiment without spending money.
- +BYOK lets you keep existing provider relationships while still benefiting from OpenRouter's routing infrastructure.
- +New models are typically available within hours of launch, so you are always working with the latest options.
Cons
- −The 5.5% platform fee ($0.80 minimum) on credit card purchases adds cost compared to using providers directly, though BYOK's first 1M requests per month are free.
- −Adds a middleware layer between your app and the model provider, which can introduce small amounts of additional latency.
- −Some advanced provider specific features (like OpenAI's Assistants API) may not be fully supported through the unified endpoint, though prompt caching is now supported.
- −Free tier users face strict rate limits (50 requests per day). Pay-as-you-go users have no platform rate limits on paid models, but free model usage is capped at 1,000 requests per day.
Pricing
- 25+ free models
- 50 requests per day
- Chat and API access
- Access to all 500+ models from 70+ providers
- Pay per token at each model's rate
- 5.5% platform fee ($0.80 minimum, credit card)
- Bulk fee discounts available
- Dedicated support SLA with shared Slack channel
- SSO/SAML
Prices change; check the official pricing →