Low-cost AI API
A cheap AI API without the catches.
- Pay per token
- Tokens never expire
- 4 models
Pricing model
Why it costs less
Prepaid tokens, published per-model rates and no platform subscription on pay as you go.
Pay per token, no subscription
Buy a custom amount or a token package once. No monthly API fee is required to use pay as you go.
Tokens never expire
Unused balance stays on your account until you spend it.
One balance for every model
One sk- key and one balance cover every model in the catalogue.
Cached input at the cache rate
When prompt caching applies, cached input is billed at the lower cached rate automatically.
No minimums
Start with any token package or custom amount. Requests that fail before output are not billed.
Cost on every response
Every API response reports its cost, and the Usage page itemises each request.
Models
Model rates
Per-million-token input, cache and output prices for every model.
| Model id | Max output | Input / 1M | Cached input / 1M | Output / 1M |
|---|---|---|---|---|
claude-opus-5-5Fast and capable | 66K tokens | $0.50 | $0.010 | $1.90 |
claude-fable-5-1Advanced reasoning | 131K tokens | $0.50 | $0.010 | $1.90 |
claude-opus-5Deep reasoning | 131K tokens | $0.50 | $0.010 | $1.90 |
claude-sonnet-5Fast responses | 33K tokens | $0.50 | $0.010 | $1.90 |
For side-by-side numbers against published vendor list prices, see the comparison with sources and dates. Estimate a monthly bill with the AI API cost calculator.
There is no free tier for API usage. The web chat offers separate free chat tokens. Prompts and responses are not stored after a request finishes, except a 24-hour copy when you send an idempotency key.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much does the API cost per million tokens?
Tokens cost $0.50 per million. Each request is charged at the model rates in the table below, and cached input is billed at the cache rate automatically.
Is there a free tier?
There is no free tier for API usage. You can still earn free chat tokens for the web app on the free-tokens page; API access requires a prepaid balance from any purchase.
Is Claudech affiliated with OpenAI or Anthropic?
No. Claudech is an independent service. It is not affiliated with OpenAI, Anthropic, Google or Anysphere. Claudech models are its own; the API accepts standard OpenAI and Anthropic request formats so your existing code keeps working.
Do purchased tokens expire?
No. Custom amounts and token packages never expire, so you can buy a small package and use it over months. Only the monthly allowance of a subscription plan resets each month.
Does one balance cover every model?
Yes. One prepaid balance pays for all 4 models through one sk- key, in either the OpenAI or Anthropic format.
How can I pay?
You can pay with PayPal, credit card or crypto. API access unlocks after your first purchase; sign up needs only an email.
Start with a token package
Create an account with an email, buy any package to unlock API keys, and pay only for tokens you use.