About OpenRouter
OpenRouter provides one API that gives access to hundreds of AI models from many providers. You switch models by changing a single name in your request.
What it does
Requests use one OpenAI-compatible interface, so code written for that format can work with different models. The service can route a request to another provider when one goes down. Each model has a listed price and performance profile, which helps you compare options before you choose.
Key features
- One API key for many models
- OpenAI-compatible request format
- Fallback to other providers during outages
- Model pages with prices to compare
- Data policy controls for each provider
Who it's for
- Developers who want to test many models quickly
- Teams that need a backup when one provider fails
- Apps that choose a model based on cost
Pricing and good to know
You add credits to your account and pay for the tokens each model uses. The site states there are no subscriptions. Prices differ by model and provider, so check the current rate on each model page. Your data policy depends on which providers a request is routed to, so review those settings if you handle sensitive text.
Highlights
- Use one API key for many models
- Send requests in an OpenAI-compatible format
- Fall back to other providers during outages
- Compare model prices on each model page
- Set data policy rules per provider
