yangmao.ai · Free API intent page
OpenRouter Free API Guide
OpenRouter has a tracked free API path, with Free models and rate limit notes of 20 RPM.
Quick verdict
- Free API: Free models
- Rate limits: 20 RPM
- Best model starting point: Free Models (多个)
- Mainland China access: proxy/relay likely needed
Provider fit matrix
OpenRouter buyer intent notes
Who should care
Best for model shopping, fallback routing, BYOK-style experimentation, and teams that want many models behind one OpenAI-compatible API.
Decision trigger
Use OpenRouter when model coverage and routing flexibility beat direct-provider simplicity.
Watch out: Compare markups, rate limits, provider routing behavior, and free-model reliability before production.
Production readiness checklist
Python setup snapshot
Start with the smallest possible chat completion, then move the key to your server-side secret manager before production.
from openai import OpenAI
client = OpenAI(
api_key="your-openrouter-key",
base_url="https://openrouter.ai/api/v1"
)
response = client.chat.completions.create(
model="meta-llama/llama-3.3-70b-instruct:free",
messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello!"}],
)
print(response.choices[0].message.content)cURL smoke test
Use this to verify endpoint, auth header, model name, response shape, and quota before adding SDK abstractions.
curl https://openrouter.ai/api/v1/chat/completions \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $OPENROUTER_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"model": "Free Models (多个)",
"messages": [{"role": "user", "content": "Hello from yangmao.ai"}]
}'Free API and pricing notes
Free models
Some models are completely free, no payment needed
Access and production risk
Relay or proxy may be needed
Requires proxy. Aggregates 400+ models, one key for all.
Decision checklist
Check OpenRouter free credits and rate limits.
Compare same-category providers and Mainland China access needs.
Pick the provider with the clearest no-card/free API path for testing.
Credit-change alerts
Want to know when free credits, pricing, or availability changes? Subscribe first, then compare official providers, API gateways, and alternatives.
Subscribe → Get an OpenLLMAPI key → Compare API gateways →Related internal links
Source snapshot
Data source: yangmao.ai provider YAML tracker plus provider docs reviewed by the daily crawler. Official dashboards can change quota and pricing without notice; verify before production.
- yangmao.ai provider id
- openrouter
- Official source
- https://openrouter.ai
- Last updated
- 2026-06-01
- Free tier
- Varies by model
- API credits
- Free models
- Rate limit
- 20 RPM
- Access note
- Requires proxy. Aggregates 400+ models, one key for all.
FAQ
Does OpenRouter have a free API?
Yes. Current yangmao.ai record: Free models. Rate limit note: 20 RPM.
Is OpenRouter OpenAI-compatible?
The recorded setup uses an OpenAI-compatible pattern or SDK-style call. Validate the latest base URL and model names in OpenRouter docs.
Can I use OpenRouter from mainland China?
OpenRouter may need a proxy or relay from mainland China. Test latency and signup before production.
What should I do when OpenRouter credits run out?
Compare the alternatives below, check /en/free-ai-api/, and shortlist official providers or API gateway options before production.
When is OpenRouter better than a direct provider?
Use OpenRouter when you need fast model switching, fallback coverage, and one compatible endpoint more than lowest direct-provider pricing.