@aiMarket

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 of 10 match

Prices checked Oct 1, 2026
  1. Number 1

    OpenAI API

    OpenAI

    @ai’s ChoiceBest overall

    Widest range of models, from text to realtime voice.

    • GPT-6 Astra: $10 per 1M input tokens
    • Text, image, voice and realtime models
    Pay as you goTry itSee details
  2. Number 2

    Claude API

    Anthropic

    Best for coding

    Strongest pick for coding and long-running agents.

    • Opus 5.5 for coding: $4 per 1M input
    • Up to 1M tokens of context
    Pay as you go

    Free tier

    Try it freeSee details
  3. Number 3

    OpenRouter

    OpenRouter

    Most models

    One key and one balance for 500+ models.

    • One API key for 500+ models
    • Provider prices with no markup
    Pay as you go

    Free tier

    Try it freeSee details
  4. 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
    Pay as you go

    Free tier

    Try it freeSee details
  5. 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
    Pay as you goTry itSee details
  6. 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
    Pay as you goTry itSee details
  7. 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
    Pay as you go

    Free tier

    Try it freeSee details
  8. 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
    Pay as you goTry itSee details
  9. 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
    Pay as you go

    Free tier

    Try it freeSee details
  10. 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
    Pay as you go

    Free tier

    Try it freeSee details

Compare the top 4

OpenAI APIClaude APIOpenRouterGemini API
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 outPay 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 modelGPT-6 Astra (gpt-6-astra)Claude Opus 5.5 (claude-opus-5-5)Not publishedGemini 3.8 Flash (gemini-3.8-flash)
Input price$10 per 1M tokens (2x for prompts over 272K tokens)$4 per 1M tokensNot 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 tokensNot published$3.75 per 1M tokens through Dec 31, 2026 ($7.50 from Jan 1, 2027)
Context window1.05M tokens1M tokensNot published1,048,576 tokens
Free tierA Free usage tier exists in allowed regions, but GPT-6 Astra isn't available on itNew users get a small amount of free credits to test the APIFree plan: 25+ free models, 50 requests/dayFree tier: free input and output tokens on certain models, within free rate limits
BillingPay-as-you-go; usage tiers by amount paid (Tier 1 at $5 paid); spend limitsUsage-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 minimumPrepay at least $5 of credits to enter Paid tier; tier spend caps (Tier 1 $250)
Your dataNot used for training unless you opt in; abuse-monitoring logs kept up to 30 daysNot used for training without permission; inputs/outputs deleted within 30 daysDoes not train on your data; zero-data-retention routing on every planFree-tier content used to improve Google products; paid-tier content is not
Best forBuilders who want GPT models plus image, voice and realtime APIsDevelopers building coding tools and long-running agentsBuilders who want every major model behind one API keyBuilders who want to prototype free before paying for tokens
Skill levelBuilt for prosBuilt for prosBuilt for prosBuilt for pros
Try itTry it freeTry it freeTry it free

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Rankings are mine and never for sale. Some links pay me a commission. How I pick