Compare AI models side by side
In the chatroom, you add several models. Your question goes to all of them at once and the answers appear side by side.
AI tools · Multi-assistant apps
OpenRouter pricing, use cases, and first steps
OpenRouter is a single gateway to more than 500 AI models from more than 80 providers. There is no subscription: you add credit in dollars, and each answer is charged at the price of the model you used. The site is built for developers first, but its chatroom lets anyone ask several models the same question, side by side.
OpenRouter has a free plan. The recommended plan to start with: Free, $0. Prices checked on October 3, 2026 on the vendor’s official page.
OpenRouterOne account for more than 500 AI models, pay as you go- Vendor
- OpenRouter (United States)
- Free plan
- Yes
- Recommended plan
- Free, $0
- Page checked on
- October 3, 2026
What OpenRouter does
Who it’s for: advanced users and technical teams who want to compare many AI models or connect one to their software.
Free models to practice with
More than 25 models cost nothing. The limit is 50 requests per day and 20 per minute. It goes up to 1,000 per day once you have added $10 of credit.
Pay only for what you use
No subscription. Each answer is billed at the model’s rate, with no markup from OpenRouter. The only fees are taken when you add credit.
Also
- Let OpenRouter choose the model
- Attach a PDF
- See which models people actually use
- Choose where your requests go
- One key for developers
OpenRouter pricing
Everything is in dollars. Credit can expire one year after purchase. Unused credit can be refunded within 24 hours of the deposit, minus fees. You can turn on automatic top-up. Checked on October 3, 2026.
| Plan | Price | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Free Recommended to start | $0 | Explore and compare |
| Standard | 5.5% fee on each credit deposit, $0.80 minimum | Regular, on-demand use |
| Business | 8% fee, pay as you go | Companies |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | Large organizations |
What the free plan includes
Without paying anything: more than 25 free models, 50 requests per day, and the chatroom. After a deposit of at least $10, the free-model limit goes up to 1,000 requests per day.
Nova’s advice
Stay on the free plan to compare models. If you add credit, start with $10: it lasts a long time for text and raises the free-model limit. If you simply want a good everyday assistant, a regular subscription to a single tool will be simpler.
A first try, in 6 minutes
Your data. OpenRouter does not store your requests by default, but each model is served by a provider with its own rules.
What it does less well
- This is not a tool for beginners. Everything is in English, designed for developers, with prices quoted per million units of text.
- You do not get everything the original tools offer. The chatroom is for comparing answers, not for replacing the full ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini app.
One question to two models, side by sideOpenRouter- Open openrouter.ai/chat and log in.
- Add two models to the chat. To pay nothing, pick two that are marked “free.”
- Write your request once and send it.
- Read the two answers side by side. Note which one is clearer, and which one arrived first.
The prompt to copy
Explain in five lines, for a client who is not a specialist, the difference between a quote and a pro forma invoice.
Alternatives to OpenRouter
Mammouth
Several AI models in one fixed-price subscription, in French: much simpler to start with.
Poe
The same choice of models, with phone apps and a free plan.
T3 Chat
A quick chat where you choose the model, without worrying about pay-as-you-go prices.
Hugging Face
The other major AI hub, focused on open models.
Frequently asked questions about OpenRouter
How much does OpenRouter cost?
Free: $0; Standard: 5.5% fee on each credit deposit, $0.80 minimum; Business: 8% fee, pay as you go; Enterprise: custom pricing. Prices checked on October 3, 2026 on the vendor’s official page.
Can you use OpenRouter for free?
Yes. Without paying anything: more than 25 free models, 50 requests per day, and the chatroom. After a deposit of at least $10, the free-model limit goes up to 1,000 requests per day.
What happens to my data with OpenRouter?
OpenRouter does not store your requests by default, but each model is served by a provider with its own rules.
What are the alternatives to OpenRouter?
Mammouth: Several AI models in one fixed-price subscription, in French: much simpler to start with. Poe: The same choice of models, with phone apps and a free plan. T3 Chat: A quick chat where you choose the model, without worrying about pay-as-you-go prices. Hugging Face: The other major AI hub, focused on open models.
Official pages consulted
Page checked on October 3, 2026. Brands are named to identify the tools. No affiliation.