OpenAI vs OpenRouter
API prices for the 29 models both providers list, side by side. Prices as of October 25, 2026.
OpenAI is cheaper on 0 of the 29 models we can price on both, OpenRouter on 17, and 12 cost the same. OpenRouter is 50% cheaper than OpenAI on the median shared model.
OpenRouter is an aggregator: it routes requests to models hosted by other providers, so a price there may be another provider's rate passed through.
Each side is its lowest listed price for the model. LLMs are compared on input + output price per 1M tokens; image, video and audio models on their per-unit price. Resolution, tier and variant can change the price. Methodology
At a glance
| OpenAI | OpenRouter | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Proprietary | Aggregator |
| Models we track | 39 | 206 |
| Free tier | Daily complimentary tokens for eligible orgs that opt in to data sharing (up to 1M + 10M tokens/day by model group); positive balance required | :free models: 20 requests/min, 50 requests/day (1,000/day after $10 in lifetime credit purchases) |
| OpenAI-compatible API | ||
| Function calling | ||
| JSON mode | ||
| Vision | ||
| Batch API | — | — |
| Fine-tuning | — | — |
| SOC 2 | — | — |
| HIPAA | — | — |
| GDPR | — | — |
Prices for models on both
LLM prices are input / output per 1M tokens. The cheaper side is highlighted.
LLMs (29 · OpenAI cheaper on 0, OpenRouter on 17)
| Model | OpenAI | OpenRouter | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPT-4.1 OpenAI | $2.00 / $8.00 | $2.00 / $8.00 | Same |
| GPT-4.1 Mini OpenAI | $0.400 / $1.60 | $0.400 / $1.60 | Same |
| GPT-4.1 Nano OpenAI | $0.100 / $0.400 | $0.100 / $0.400 | Same |
| GPT-4o OpenAI | $2.50 / $10.00 | $2.50 / $10.00 | Same |
| GPT-4o Mini OpenAI | $0.150 / $0.600 | $0.150 / $0.600 | Same |
| GPT-5 OpenAI | $1.25 / $10.00 | $1.25 / $10.00 | Same |
| GPT-5 Mini OpenAI | $0.250 / $2.00 | $0.125 / $1.00 | OpenRouter −50% |
| GPT-5 Nano OpenAI | $0.050 / $0.400 | $0.025 / $0.200 | OpenRouter −50% |
| GPT-5 Pro OpenAI | $15.00 / $120.00 | $15.00 / $120.00 | Same |
| GPT-5.1 OpenAI | $1.25 / $10.00 | $0.625 / $5.00 | OpenRouter −50% |
| GPT-5.2 OpenAI | $1.75 / $14.00 | $0.875 / $7.00 | OpenRouter −50% |
| GPT-5.2 Pro OpenAI | $21.00 / $168.00 | $21.00 / $168.00 | Same |
| GPT-5.3 Codex OpenAI | $1.75 / $14.00 | $1.75 / $14.00 | Same |
| GPT-5.4 OpenAI | $2.50 / $15.00 | $1.25 / $7.50 | OpenRouter −50% |
| GPT-5.4 Mini OpenAI | $0.750 / $4.50 | $0.375 / $2.25 | OpenRouter −50% |
| GPT-5.4 Nano OpenAI | $0.200 / $1.25 | $0.100 / $0.625 | OpenRouter −50% |
| GPT-5.4 Pro OpenAI | $30.00 / $180.00 | $15.00 / $90.00 | OpenRouter −50% |
| GPT-5.5 OpenAI | $5.00 / $30.00 | $2.50 / $15.00 | OpenRouter −50% |
| GPT-5.5 Pro OpenAI | $30.00 / $180.00 | $15.00 / $90.00 | OpenRouter −50% |
| GPT-5.6 Luna OpenAI | $0.200 / $1.20 | $0.100 / $0.600 | OpenRouter −50% |
| GPT-5.6 Sol OpenAI | $4.00 / $20.00 | $2.00 / $10.00 | OpenRouter −50% |
| GPT-5.6 Terra OpenAI | $2.00 / $12.00 | $1.00 / $6.00 | OpenRouter −50% |
| GPT-6 Astra OpenAI | $10.00 / $50.00 | $5.00 / $25.00 | OpenRouter −50% |
| GPT-6 Luna OpenAI | $0.100 / $0.500 | $0.050 / $0.250 | OpenRouter −50% |
| GPT-6 Sol OpenAI | $2.00 / $10.00 | $1.00 / $5.00 | OpenRouter −50% |
| GPT-6.1 Sol OpenAI | $2.00 / $10.00 | $1.00 / $5.00 | OpenRouter −50% |
| o3 OpenAI | $2.00 / $8.00 | $2.00 / $8.00 | Same |
| o3 Pro OpenAI | $20.00 / $80.00 | $20.00 / $80.00 | Same |
| o4 Mini OpenAI | $1.10 / $4.40 | $1.10 / $4.40 | Same |
Only on OpenAI (10)
Only on OpenRouter (177)
OpenAI vs OpenRouter FAQ
Is OpenAI cheaper than OpenRouter?
Usually no. OpenAI is cheaper on 0 of the 29 models we can price on both, OpenRouter on 17, and 12 cost the same. OpenRouter is 50% cheaper than OpenAI on the median shared model.
Which has more models, OpenAI or OpenRouter?
We track 39 models on OpenAI and 206 on OpenRouter. 29 are on both, 10 only on OpenAI and 177 only on OpenRouter.
Do OpenAI and OpenRouter have a free tier?
OpenAI: yes (Daily complimentary tokens for eligible orgs that opt in to data sharing (up to 1M + 10M tokens/day by model group); positive balance required). OpenRouter: yes (:free models: 20 requests/min, 50 requests/day (1,000/day after $10 in lifetime credit purchases)).
Which models do both OpenAI and OpenRouter offer?
29 models, including GPT-4.1, GPT-4.1 Mini, GPT-4.1 Nano, GPT-4o, GPT-4o Mini, GPT-5 and more. The full list with both prices is in the table above.