LLM APIs and model providers · ranked 01
Anthropic API
Claude models via API. The pair to Claude Code.
Best for Calling Claude from your own product
The Anthropic API serves Claude models for chat, tool use, and long context. Use it when the product should call Claude, or when you are already building with Claude Code and want the same model family in production. Billing is usage-based. Rates: check site.
Best use cases
- Agents and coding features that need a strong model
- Long prompts and tool use
- A production API next to Claude Code
Pros
- + Claude is a default choice for coding and careful tool use
- + The API is straightforward to call from the AI SDK and most frameworks
- + Usage-based, so there is no seat fee for the API itself
Cons
- − You are on one lab's roadmap and rate limits
- − Rates: check site
Pricing
Usage-based. Token rates: check site.
Alternatives
LLM APIs and model providers
8.0
OpenAI API
The default model API. GPT models, tools, and a platform console.
Best for The model API most libraries already speak
LLM APIs and model providers
7.6
Gemini API
Google's Gemini models, with a free tier that moves.
Best for A capable model API with a free starting quota
LLM APIs and model providers
7.9
OpenRouter
One API key for many models, including labs and open weights.
Best for Switching models without switching SDKs