Free AI platform comparison
OpenRouter vs Groq: Free Tier and API
OpenRouter vs Groq is a practical comparison for developers choosing an AI platform with usable free access. OpenRouter offers Varies by model on the free tier, while Groq offers 6000 tokens/min (Llama 3.3 70B) on the free tier. For API usage, OpenRouter includes Free models with a 20 RPM limit, and Groq includes Free tier（永久免费） with a 30 RPM / 6000 TPM limit. This page compares the two tools across free tier, free API, rate limits, open-source availability, model coverage, and GitHub traction, then gives a quick recommendation so you can decide whether to test OpenRouter, Groq, or both.
Quick decision
OpenRouter vs Groq: pricing, free API, and limits
Quick answer: choose OpenRouter if its free tier, model family, or ecosystem fits your app better; choose Groq if it gives better free API credits, pricing, or access for your workflow. This comparison focuses on free tier, API pricing, limits, setup, and practical alternatives.
OpenRouter
Groq
🏆 Overall, Groq offers more free value (1/6 categories)
📊 Side-by-Side
🧠 Model Details
OpenRouter1 modelsGroq6 models🎯 Which should you choose?
Choose OpenRouter if…
you want Varies by model on the free tier, plus Free models for API tests.
Choose Groq if…
you want 6000 tokens/min (Llama 3.3 70B) on the free tier, plus Free tier（永久免费） for API tests.
FAQ
Which is better, OpenRouter or Groq?
Groq scores higher in this free-tier comparison because it wins more of the measured categories. Still, the best choice depends on your exact needs: free chat access, API credits, open-source models, or rate limits.
Does OpenRouter have a free tier?
Yes. OpenRouter lists Varies by model for free users.
Does Groq have a free tier?
Yes. Groq lists 6000 tokens/min (Llama 3.3 70B) for free users.
Which one is better for API experiments?
OpenRouter offers Free models; Groq offers Free tier（永久免费）. Choose the option with enough credits and rate limits for your prototype.
Source snapshot
Data source: yangmao.ai provider YAML tracker plus curated comparison notes. Official dashboards can change credits, limits, model availability, and pricing without notice; verify in the provider console before production.
- yangmao.ai comparison slug
- openrouter-vs-groq
- OpenRouter source
- https://openrouter.ai
- Groq source
- https://groq.com
- Dataset freshness
- OpenRouter: 2026-06-16 · Groq: 2026-06-16
- Decision data
- Free tier, API credits, rate limits, model list, China access notes, and curated comparison dimensions from the yangmao.ai provider tracker.
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