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AI Access
OpenRouter
A model gateway for trying many LLMs through one API, including selected free model options and a free-model router for experimentation.
A practical starting note for trying this route. Check the provider pages before signing up or relying on a free allowance.
Good starting point if
You want to compare models
Learning, small experiments, model comparison, and early prototypes.
What free means here
Selected free models
OpenRouter describes openrouter/free as a router that sends requests to currently available free models, and also supports :free variants for specific models where a free variant exists.
What you will need
Account and API key
OpenRouter is a model gateway. An API is a way for an app or project to connect to an AI model.
How access works
One gateway, several model routes
OpenRouter provides one API and a chat interface for models from different providers. Its free-model router chooses from models that are available for free at that time; some individual models also have a free variant.
Limits worth checking
Free availability can move
Source snapshot, May 2026: OpenRouter docs described free-model limits such as 50 requests per day for accounts that have purchased less than 10 credits, 20 requests per minute, and 1000 free-model requests per day after purchasing at least 10 credits. Check OpenRouter directly before relying on this.
Your data and account
Check the route your prompt takes
Avoid sensitive, private, or confidential data unless you have reviewed OpenRouter's current terms, data-policy details, and account settings. Different models can be served by different providers, so review the current data-policy controls for the route you choose.
Before relying on it
Keep the experiment replaceable
Free model access can have lower limits, changing availability, provider-side throttling, and temporary unavailability. Do not treat free access as production capacity. Keep the model name, prompts, and fallback behavior easy to change if a free route disappears.
Check current information
OpenRouter source pages
These provider pages are the place to confirm current availability, limits, and pricing.
Continue exploring
Choose the next route by what you need.
Compare other free API paths, or step back to the full Access guide for browser, app, API, and local choices.