| API | Category | Free tier | No CC | Commercial |
|---|
⚠️ Free tiers and terms change often. Limits and credit-card / commercial-use flags are reference values (July 2026) — always confirm in the provider's current docs before relying on them in production. · Report outdated price →
How to read this
"Free forever" means an ongoing free allowance, not a time-limited trial. "Trial credits" are one-off dollars or a window that expires. "No CC" means you can start without entering a card — the fastest path to a working key for prototypes and side projects. "Commercial" flags whether the free tier is generally okay to ship in a paid product; when in doubt, the provider's terms win.
Found one you like? Many have a full guide here with pricing and step-by-step key setup — see OpenAI, Gemini, Twilio, SendGrid, CoinGecko and the rest. Planning what it'll cost once you outgrow the free tier? Use the API stack cost calculator. Not sure which API to pick for the job? Try the API alternatives finder.