OpenRouter is a single API key for hundreds of models — OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta's Llama, Mistral, DeepSeek and many more — behind one OpenAI-compatible endpoint. You switch models by changing a string, compare prices in one place, and add automatic fallbacks if a provider is down. Here's how its pricing really works and how to get your key.
| What you pay | How much | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Model token usage | passante | Same per-token price as the source provider |
| Markup on usage | $0 | No surcharge on tokens themselves |
| Credit top-up fee on payment | 5.5% | Standard pay-as-you-go tier |
| Credit top-up fee, Business tier on payment | 8% | Higher-volume pay-as-you-go tier |
| Free models | $0 | Rate-limited, rotating selection |
→ Once you've picked a model, estimate the token bill on the Calcolatore dei costi dell'API AI — the per-token cost is the same whether you call the model directly or via OpenRouter.
Yes — OpenRouter exposes a rotating set of free models (typically open-weight models hosted by partners) with rate limits, usable on the same key. They're ideal for prototyping before you commit credits. For dedicated free tiers from individual providers, see Gemelli, Mistral E Groq.
1. Iscriviti a openrouter.ai.
2. Add credits under Settings → Credits (a small fee applies on top-up).
3. Open the Keys page, create a key and copy it once.
4. Call the OpenAI-compatible endpoint and pick a model by slug, e.g. openai/gpt-4o, anthropic/claude-sonnet or a :free model.
Test it with a simple request:
Use it when you want to compare or swap models without rewriting code, add provider fallbacks for reliability, or access a model that's awkward to sign up for directly. The trade-off is the 5.5% (Standard tier) or 8% (Business tier) top-up fee and adding a third party between you and the provider. For a single high-volume model in production, going direct can shave that fee — but for experimentation and multi-model apps, one key across everything usually pays for itself in saved time.
Go direct to a provider to avoid the top-up fee: OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemelli, DeepSeek, Mistral O Groq for fast open models. Compare the big three head-to-head on the Prezzi OpenAI vs Claude vs Gemini page.
No — token usage is pass-through at the provider's price. OpenRouter earns from a credit top-up fee instead: 5.5% on the Standard pay-as-you-go tier, 8% on the Business tier, with negotiated discounts on Enterprise.
Yes — a rotating, rate-limited selection of free models is available on the same key, good for prototyping.
Sign up at openrouter.ai, add credits, open the Keys page, create a key and copy it. The API is OpenAI-compatible.
Use OpenRouter for multi-model flexibility and fallbacks; go direct for a single high-volume model to avoid the top-up fee.
Not affiliated with OpenRouter. Prices are reference estimates — always verify on the official pricing page.