OpenRouter
One OpenAI-compatible API to 600+ AI models from 80+ providers
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Pricing
Freemium
API
Yes
Company
OpenRouter, Inc
Platforms
What is OpenRouter?
OpenRouter is a unified API that gives developers access to more than 600 text, image, video and audio models from over 80 providers through a single, OpenAI-compatible interface. You sign up, buy credits that work with any model or provider, and create an API key to start sending requests.
The platform routes requests across a distributed infrastructure and can fall back to other providers when one goes down. Failed attempts aren't billed. Inference is charged at each provider's list price, and OpenRouter takes a fee when you buy credits: 5.5% on Standard, 8% on Business. Other features include auto-routing, prompt caching, budgets, data-policy-based routing, Zero Data Retention routing, and EU or US in-region routing on higher tiers.
OpenRouter fits indie developers, AI-native startups and enterprises that want to compare or switch models without rewriting their integration. Teams can also use workspaces, admin controls and SSO.
Key features
- OpenAI-compatible API for 600+ models
- Automatic fallback across providers
- Auto Router and Auto Code model selection
- Prompt caching and budget controls
- Data-policy and Zero Data Retention routing
- EU and US in-region routing
- Bring your own provider keys (BYOK)
- Workspaces with per-key credit caps
Use cases
Who it's for
Comparing models in production
Switch between models from different labs without changing your integration, and pin specific versions when you need stable behavior.
Keeping AI apps available
Fallback routing sends requests to other providers when one fails, and failed attempts aren't billed.
Enterprise data governance
Data policies, in-region routing and SSO restrict prompts to the providers and regions your organization approves.
Prototyping on free models
Developers can try 25+ free models with up to 50 requests per day before buying credits.
OpenRouter pricing
From the vendor's site, checked Nov 8, 2026; we re-check prices monthly. Prices change — confirm on their pricing page.
Free
$0
- 25+ free models, 4 free providers
- 50 requests/day on free models
- Chat and API access
- Community support
Standard
usage-based
Pay-as-you-go, 5.5% fee on credit purchases
- 600+ models, 80+ providers
- Auto-routing and prompt caching
- Budgets and spend controls
- Email support
Business
usage-based
Pay-as-you-go, 8% fee on credit purchases
- EU and US in-region routing
- 1,000 workspaces
- Advanced notifications
- Workload Identity Federation
Enterprise
contract
Custom
- SSO/SAML and contractual SLAs
- Fee discounts available
- Invoicing options
- Dedicated support team
Get an email when OpenRouter changes its prices
One mail per change, a stop link in each. Nothing else.
How OpenRouter compares
- OpenRouter has a free plan, like 1 of the 4 alternatives below.
| Tool | Starts at | Free plan | Free trial | API | Open source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OOpenRouter | — | — | — | |||
T Together AI | — | — | — | — | OpenRouter vs Together AI | |
G Groq | — | — | — | — | — | OpenRouter vs Groq |
F Fireworks AI | — | — | — | — | OpenRouter vs Fireworks AI | |
D DeepSeek | — | — | — | OpenRouter vs DeepSeek |
The closest alternatives in our directory by category. “Starts at” is the cheapest paid plan per month, as each vendor lists it.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- Inference billed at provider list price with no markup
- No minimum spend or lock-in on Standard and Business
- Failed and fallback attempts are not billed
- Free tier with 25+ free models
Limitations
- 5.5% to 8% fee on credit purchases
- Free models capped at 50 requests/day (1,000/day after buying $10 of credits)
- In-region routing requires the Business plan or higher
- SSO/SAML and SLAs only on Enterprise
OpenRouter FAQ
Does OpenRouter mark up model prices?
No. Inference is billed at the provider's list price. OpenRouter charges a fee when you buy credits: 5.5% on Standard and 8% on Business.
Is there a free plan?
Yes. The Free plan includes 25+ free models with limits of 20 requests per minute and 50 per day. The daily limit rises to 1,000 once you've bought $10 of credits.
Does OpenRouter train on my data?
No. Provider-side retention can be disabled, and Zero Data Retention routing is available on every plan.
What payment methods are accepted?
Standard and Business accept cards, AliPay and crypto (USDC). Enterprise offers invoicing and purchase orders.
Is the API compatible with OpenAI SDKs?
Yes. OpenRouter describes its API as fully OpenAI compatible.
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OpenRouter
Freemium
