TokelyTHE COST OF BUILDING WITH AI
A cost-focused OpenRouter alternative
Compare exact-model rates, supported endpoints and migration requirements before moving to Tokely. One balance for supported text, image, video and audio models.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Consider Tokely when a supported model's published rate and endpoint fit your application. Consider OpenRouter when its broader catalog or platform features are your priority. Compare the exact workload and test compatibility before switching; Tokely is not a universal replacement for every OpenRouter feature.
What can stay the same
For supported OpenAI-compatible requests, keep your client SDK and change the base URL, key and model ID. Check whether your chosen model uses Chat Completions or Responses. Existing OpenRouter credits and API keys do not transfer to Tokely.
What needs a deliberate migration
OpenRouter-specific provider-routing fields, native tools, embeddings, BYOK, team administration and every vendor's parameters are not implemented as equivalent Tokely features. Start with the migration checklist and move one supported request path first.
Compare costs without giving Tokely a free advantage
The table uses the exact matching OpenRouter model offer and excludes OpenRouter's platform fee. It also shows rows where Tokely costs more or a reference is unavailable. Change the token mix in the calculator to evaluate your own request.
Compare a matched text workload
| Model | Tokely input / output | Tokely example | OpenRouter example | Difference vs OpenRouter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPT-5.4 MiniOpenAI | $0.07425 / $0.4455Cache read: $0.007425 | $0.185625 | $1.875$0.75 / $4.5 per 1M | 90.1% lower |
| Gemini 3.1 Flash LiteGoogle | $0.050552 / $0.303312Cache read: $0.005056 | $0.12638 | $0.625$0.25 / $1.5 per 1M | 79.8% lower |
| Gemini 2.5 FlashGoogle | $0.060663 / $0.505924Cache read: $0.006067 | $0.187144 | $0.925$0.3 / $2.5 per 1M | 79.8% lower |
| GPT-6 LunaOpenAI | $0.09 / $0.45Cache read: $0.009 | $0.2025 | $0.225$0.1 / $0.5 per 1M | 10.0% lower |
| DeepSeek V4.1 FlashDeepSeek | $0.135 / $0.54Cache read: $0.0027 | $0.27 | $0.6$0.3 / $1.2 per 1M | 55.0% lower |
| Gemini 3.7 FlashGoogle | $0.151656 / $0.758279Cache read: $0.015166 | $0.341226 | $1.6875$0.75 / $3.75 per 1M | 79.8% lower |
| Gemini 3.8 FlashGoogle | $0.151656 / $0.758279Cache read: $0.015166 | $0.341226 | $1.6875$0.75 / $3.75 per 1M | 79.8% lower |
| GPT-5 CodexOpenAI | $0.126397 / $1.011175Cache read: $0.01264 | $0.379191 | Not matched | — |
| GPT-5.6 LunaOpenAI | $0.18 / $1.08Cache read: $0.018 | $0.45 | $0.5$0.2 / $1.2 per 1M | 10.0% lower |
| Gemini 3.5 Flash LiteGoogle | $0.218386 / $1.819882Cache read: $0.021839 | $0.673357 | $0.925$0.3 / $2.5 per 1M | 27.2% lower |
| Grok 4.3Grok | $0.505519 / $1.011038Cache read: $0.18 | $0.758279 | $1.875$1.25 / $2.5 per 1M | 59.6% lower |
| Gemini 3.5 FlashGoogle | $0.303312 / $1.819868Cache read: $0.030332 | $0.758279 | $3.75$1.5 / $9 per 1M | 79.8% lower |
| GPT-6 SolOpenAI | $0.505588 / $1.516763Cache read: $0.040447 | $0.884779 | $4.5$2 / $10 per 1M | 80.3% lower |
| GPT-6.1 SolOpenAI | $0.505588 / $1.516763Cache read: $0.020224 | $0.884779 | $4.5$2 / $10 per 1M | 80.3% lower |
| GPT-5.6 TerraOpenAI | $0.505588 / $1.820115Cache read: $0.040447 | $0.960617 | $5$2 / $12 per 1M | 80.8% lower |
| Claude Sonnet 5Anthropic | $0.48532 / $2.4266Cache read: $0.048532 | $1.09197 | $4.5$2 / $10 per 1M | 75.7% lower |
| Gemini 2.5 ProGoogle | $0.505519 / $3.033113Cache read: $0.050552 | $1.263797 | $3.75$1.25 / $10 per 1M | 66.3% lower |
| Grok 4.5Grok | $0.80883 / $2.42649Cache read: $0.202208 | $1.415453 | $3.5$2 / $6 per 1M | 59.6% lower |
| Grok 4.6Grok | $0.80883 / $2.42649Cache read: $0.202208 | $1.415453 | $3.5$2 / $6 per 1M | 59.6% lower |
| Grok 4.7Grok | $0.80883 / $2.42649Cache read: $0.202208 | $1.415453 | $3.5$2 / $6 per 1M | 59.6% lower |
| Claude Sonnet 4.6Anthropic | $0.72798 / $3.6399Cache read: $0.072798 | $1.637955 | $6.75$3 / $15 per 1M | 75.7% lower |
| GPT-5.2 CodexOpenAI | $0.641667 / $5.133334Cache read: $0.064167 | $1.925001 | $5.25$1.75 / $14 per 1M | 63.3% lower |
| Gemini 3 ProGoogle | $0.75 / $5.25Cache read: $0.75 | $2.0625 | Not matched | — |
| GPT-5.5OpenAI | $1.011175 / $4.550288Cache read: $0.101118 | $2.148747 | $12.5$5 / $30 per 1M | 82.8% lower |
| Claude Sonnet 5.5Anthropic | $0.970585 / $4.852925Cache read: $0.097059 | $2.183816 | $4.5$2 / $10 per 1M | 51.5% lower |
| Claude Opus 5.5Anthropic | $0.97064 / $4.8532Cache read: $0.048532 | $2.18394 | $9$4 / $20 per 1M | 75.7% lower |
| Gemini 3.1 ProGoogle | $0.833334 / $5.833334Cache read: $0.18 | $2.291668 | Not matched | — |
| GPT-5.6 SolOpenAI | $1.263969 / $4.550288Cache read: $0.101118 | $2.401541 | $4.5$2 / $10 per 1M | 46.6% lower |
| GPT-5.1 CodexOpenAI | $1.008334 / $8.066667Cache read: $0.100834 | $3.025001 | $3.75$1.25 / $10 per 1M | 19.3% lower |
| Kimi K3Moonshot | $0.45 / $10.8Cache read: $0.27 | $3.15 | $3.5$0.5 / $12 per 1M | 10.0% lower |
| GPT-5.3 CodexOpenAI | $1.05875 / $8.47Cache read: $0.105875 | $3.17625 | $5.25$1.75 / $14 per 1M | 39.5% lower |
| GPT-6 AstraOpenAI | $2.527938 / $7.583813Cache read: $0.202235 | $4.423891 | $22.5$10 / $50 per 1M | 80.3% lower |
| GPT-5.2OpenAI | $1.575 / $12.6Cache read: $0.1575 | $4.725 | $5.25$1.75 / $14 per 1M | 10.0% lower |
| Claude Opus 4.6Anthropic | $2.426463 / $12.132313Cache read: $0.242647 | $5.459541 | $11.25$5 / $25 per 1M | 51.5% lower |
| Claude Opus 4.8Anthropic | $2.426463 / $12.132313Cache read: $0.242647 | $5.459541 | $11.25$5 / $25 per 1M | 51.5% lower |
| Claude Opus 5Anthropic | $2.426463 / $12.132313Cache read: $0.242647 | $5.459541 | $11.25$5 / $25 per 1M | 51.5% lower |
| GPT-5.4OpenAI | $2.25 / $13.5Cache read: $0.225 | $5.625 | $6.25$2.5 / $15 per 1M | 10.0% lower |
| Claude Opus 4.7Anthropic | $3.033079 / $12.132313Cache read: $0.242647 | $6.066157 | $11.25$5 / $25 per 1M | 46.1% lower |
| Claude Fable 5Anthropic | $4.852925 / $24.264625Cache read: $0.485293 | $10.919081 | $22.5$10 / $50 per 1M | 51.5% lower |
Questions before you switch
Is Tokely always cheaper than OpenRouter?
No. Prices and token mixes differ by model. The table includes positive and negative differences for a disclosed workload and dated reference prices.
Can I reuse an OpenRouter API key?
No. Create and fund a Tokely account, then create a Tokely API key. You can keep a supported OpenAI-compatible client SDK.
Keep exploring
AI API pricing. Know what you pay. ↗
Published Tokely rates for text, images, video and audio. Pay from one USD balance, compare exact models and estimate your workload before you switch.
AI API price index ↗
An exportable first-party dataset of enabled Tokely models, exact-model OpenRouter token references and supported media variants. Sources, units and dates are included.
START WITH YOUR OWN WORKLOAD
Know the price.
Then make the call.
Check the model, compare the rate, and connect with a Tokely key.