Jobs · 05

LLM APIs and model providers

The model behind the feature

Use this when your app calls a model directly. Ranked for indie quality of life: docs, how you get a key, and how readable the bill is. Token rates change — check the provider site.

Initial editorial estimate. Not a measured benchmark. Edit scores in data/tools.json.

1. 01

   Anthropic API

   Best for Calling Claude from your own product

   Claude models via API. The pair to Claude Code.

   • + Claude is a default choice for coding and careful tool use
   • + The API is straightforward to call from the AI SDK and most frameworks

   • − You are on one lab's roadmap and rate limits
   • − Rates: check site

   8.3

   Usage-based

2. 02

   OpenAI API

   Best for The model API most libraries already speak

   The default model API. GPT models, tools, and a platform console.

   • + The widest support in frameworks and examples
   • + Usage-based, so a small app can start small

   • − The bill tracks usage, and usage on agents adds up
   • − Rates, model names, and limits: check site

   8.0

   Usage-based

3. 03

   OpenRouter

   Best for Switching models without switching SDKs

   One API key for many models, including labs and open weights.

   • + One account instead of five provider consoles
   • + Model choice stays a config change

   • − A middleman means another status page and another markup
   • − Per-model rates: check site

   7.9

   Usage-based

4. 04

   Groq

   Best for Low-latency calls to open models

   Fast inference API for open models.

   • + Speed is the reason to pick it
   • + An OpenAI-compatible style API is part of the draw

   • − The model menu is not the same as OpenAI or Anthropic flagships
   • − Rates and free credits: check site

   7.7

   Usage-based

5. 05

   Gemini API

   Best for A capable model API with a free starting quota

   Google's Gemini models, with a free tier that moves.

   • + A free tier has been part of the offer
   • + Multimodal models are a first-class part of the API

   • − Free-tier quotas are not a production plan
   • − Model names and prices move. Check site

   7.6

   Usage-based

6. 06

   Mistral

   Best for A European model API, or open weights you can host

   European model lab with an API and open-weight releases.

   • + API and open weights are both real options
   • + A credible alternative to the three biggest US labs

   • − Ecosystem examples still assume OpenAI first
   • − Rates and which models are on the API: check site

   6.7

   Usage-based