OpenRouter

Single API that routes requests across many model providers

AI Models & PlatformsFree planOverseas★★★★☆ 4.0

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What is OpenRouter?

OpenRouter is a gateway that puts hundreds of models from many providers behind one OpenAI-compatible endpoint. You send a request naming a model, and OpenRouter routes it to whichever provider serves that model, handling keys, failover and billing in one place. It is useful when you want to compare models quickly, offer users a model picker, or avoid integrating a dozen SDKs. Routing preferences let you favour cheap providers, require specific privacy policies, or fall back automatically when a provider is degraded.

Last updated: 2026-09-20. This site only provides an index; for exact features, pricing, and licensing, see the official website.

Key features

One API key and endpoint for hundreds of models
Automatic failover and routing across multiple providers
Model, provider and price filters in a single dashboard
Pass-through of tool calling, vision and streaming features
Usage tracking and per-key spend limits you can set yourself
Some models available at no cost with rate limits

Pros & cons

Strengths

Removes the need to integrate each provider separately
Makes side-by-side model comparison genuinely easy
Failover routing improves uptime without extra code

Watch out for

Adds a middle layer that can complicate latency debugging
Feature support varies with the model behind the route
A small platform markup applies on provider list prices

Best for & use cases

model comparison, multi-model apps, provider failover, cost-aware routing

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FAQ

What does OpenRouter actually do?

It is a router. You send one request to one endpoint, and it forwards the call to whichever provider serves the model you named, handling authentication, billing and fallback so you integrate a single API.

Does routing change the model's answers?

The model is the same, but different providers may use slightly different serving settings and quantisations. OpenRouter exposes provider details, and you can pin a preferred provider when consistency matters.

Is there a markup on prices?

Yes, a small platform fee is added on top of provider list prices, and you can see both in the dashboard. Some models are offered at no cost with tighter rate limits.