Best AI model API
Pay-as-you-go access to AI models for your apps and agents. You buy tokens or prepaid credits; prices change often, so check the pricing page before you commit.
10 picks, ranked by @ai
Prices checked Oct 1, 2026- Number 1
OpenAI API
OpenAI
@ai’s ChoiceBest overallWidest range of models, from text to realtime voice.
- GPT-6 Astra: $10 per 1M input tokens
- Text, image, voice and realtime models
- Number 2
Claude API
Anthropic
Best for codingStrongest pick for coding and long-running agents.
- Opus 5.5 for coding: $4 per 1M input
- Up to 1M tokens of context
- Number 3
OpenRouter
OpenRouter
Most modelsOne key and one balance for 500+ models.
- One API key for 500+ models
- Provider prices with no markup
- Number 4
Gemini API
Google
Real free tier to prototype on before you pay.
- Free tier, no billing setup needed
- Gemini 3.8 Flash is free to try
- Number 5
Grok API
SpaceXAI (formerly xAI)
Grok models with built-in web and X search.
- Grok 4.7: $2 per 1M input tokens
- Live web and X search built in
- Number 6
DeepSeek API
DeepSeek
Low token prices, with half-price off-peak hours.
- Off-peak hours cost half price
- 1M-token context on V4 models
- Number 7
Mistral API
Mistral AI
Free API mode and open-license models to self-host.
- Free mode with no card required
- Mistral Medium 3.5: $1.50 per 1M input
- Number 8
Together AI
Together AI
Wide open-model catalog with batch pricing.
- Latest open models like Kimi K3
- Prepaid credits currently don't expire
- Number 9
Fireworks AI
Fireworks AI
Production open-model serving, with $1 to start.
- $1 in free credits to start
- OpenAI and Anthropic compatible API
- Number 10
Hugging Face Inference Providers
Hugging Face
One token across many providers, no markup.
- One token for Groq, Together and more
- Provider rates with no markup
Compare the top 4
| Rank in Model APIs & token credits | #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $10 per 1M tokens (2x for prompts over 272K tokens) in · $50 per 1M tokens (1.5x for prompts over 272K tokens) out | $4 per 1M tokens in · $20 per 1M tokens out | Pay per token | $0.75 per 1M tokens through Dec 31, 2026 ($1.50 from Jan 1, 2027) in · $3.75 per 1M tokens through Dec 31, 2026 ($7.50 from Jan 1, 2027) out |
| Flagship model | GPT-6 Astra (gpt-6-astra) | Claude Opus 5.5 (claude-opus-5-5) | Not published | Gemini 3.8 Flash (gemini-3.8-flash) |
| Input price | $10 per 1M tokens (2x for prompts over 272K tokens) | $4 per 1M tokens | Not published | $0.75 per 1M tokens through Dec 31, 2026 ($1.50 from Jan 1, 2027) |
| Output price | $50 per 1M tokens (1.5x for prompts over 272K tokens) | $20 per 1M tokens | Not published | $3.75 per 1M tokens through Dec 31, 2026 ($7.50 from Jan 1, 2027) |
| Context window | 1.05M tokens | 1M tokens | Not published | 1,048,576 tokens |
| Free tier | A Free usage tier exists in allowed regions, but GPT-6 Astra isn't available on it | New users get a small amount of free credits to test the API | Free plan: 25+ free models, 50 requests/day | Free tier: free input and output tokens on certain models, within free rate limits |
| Billing | Pay-as-you-go; usage tiers by amount paid (Tier 1 at $5 paid); spend limits | Usage-based; card or invoicing; monthly spend caps by tier (Start tier $500) | Prepaid credits at provider list prices; 5.5% fee on credit purchases; no minimum | Prepay at least $5 of credits to enter Paid tier; tier spend caps (Tier 1 $250) |
| Your data | Not used for training unless you opt in; abuse-monitoring logs kept up to 30 days | Not used for training without permission; inputs/outputs deleted within 30 days | Does not train on your data; zero-data-retention routing on every plan | Free-tier content used to improve Google products; paid-tier content is not |
| Best for | Builders who want GPT models plus image, voice and realtime APIs | Developers building coding tools and long-running agents | Builders who want every major model behind one API key | Builders who want to prototype free before paying for tokens |
| Skill level | Built for pros | Built for pros | Built for pros | Built for pros |
| Try it | Try it free | Try it free | Try it free |
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Rankings are mine and never for sale. Some links pay me a commission. How I pick