Short answer
For text generation with GPT models through Chat Completions or the Responses API, APIVAI is cheaper than the official OpenAI API: as of 2026-10-06, GPT models are 85–86% below OpenAI's list price, and the same key also works with Claude.
The official OpenAI API is the better choice if you need anything beyond those endpoints, such as embeddings, image generation, audio, Realtime, Batch, fine-tuning or Assistants, or if you need organization and project management and high usage-tier limits.
How much do GPT models cost on APIVAI vs OpenAI?
| Model | OpenAI list price (input / output per 1M) | APIVAI (input / output per 1M) | APIVAI below list |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPT-6 Astra | $10.00 / $50.00 | $1.52 / $7.60 | 85% |
| GPT-6.1 Sol | $2.00 / $10.00 | $0.30 / $1.52 | 85% |
| GPT-5.6 Terra | $2.00 / $12.00 | $0.30 / $1.82 | 85% |
| GPT-5.5 | $5.00 / $30.00 | $0.77 / $4.56 | 85% |
| GPT-6 Luna | $0.10 / $0.50 | $0.0144 / $0.0768 | 86% |
Prices as of 2026-10-06. The pricing page lists every model with APIVAI cache-read and cache-write prices. OpenAI's own prices, including cached input and Batch pricing, are on openai.com/api/pricing.
A worked example: a Codex CLI session of 600 requests averaging 4,000 input and 1,500 output tokens on GPT-5.5 costs $39.00 at list price and $5.95 on APIVAI, before caching. If your jobs can wait, OpenAI's Batch API is billed below its standard rates; compare that price too, since APIVAI has no batch endpoint.
Feature comparison
| Feature | OpenAI API | APIVAI |
|---|---|---|
| GPT text models | All current models, new ones on release | GPT models listed on /pricing |
| Claude on the same key | No | Yes, in both Anthropic and OpenAI formats |
| Endpoints | Chat Completions, Responses, embeddings, images, audio, Realtime, Batch, fine-tuning, Assistants and more; see their docs | Chat Completions, Responses, Messages, count_tokens, models |
| Streaming, function calling, image input | Yes | Yes |
| Account structure | Organizations, projects, roles, per-project keys | One account, multiple keys with their own budgets |
| Rate limits | Usage tiers that rise with spend | 60 requests per minute per key by default, higher on request |
| Billing model | Prepaid credits or invoicing; check their billing settings | Prepaid USD balance, per-token charges, no subscription |
| Payment methods | Card; invoicing for larger customers | Cards, crypto (USDT and more), Alipay, WeChat Pay |
| Data handling | OpenAI's API data policies apply directly; see their docs | Content is not stored or inspected; requests pass through to the model provider; usage metadata kept for billing |
When APIVAI is the better choice
- Your OpenAI spending is mostly text generation through Chat Completions or Responses, and you want it cheaper.
- You use Codex CLI, Cursor, Cline, Continue or another tool that accepts a custom OpenAI base URL.
- You also want Claude. The same key works with Claude Code in the Anthropic format and with Claude models through OpenAI-format tools.
- You want to pay with crypto, Alipay or WeChat Pay, or start small: $10 by card or crypto, ¥20 via Alipay / WeChat Pay.
- You want to cap spending per key and see every request's tokens and cost on one dashboard.
When the OpenAI API is the better choice
- You need embeddings, image generation, speech-to-text, text-to-speech, the Realtime API, Batch, fine-tuning or Assistants. APIVAI offers none of these.
- You rely on OpenAI's built-in hosted tools in the Responses API; check the docs before switching, or stay on the official API.
- You need organizations, projects and role-based access for a larger team.
- You need high throughput immediately. OpenAI's upper usage tiers allow far more than 60 requests per minute.
- Your company requires a direct contract with OpenAI, invoicing, or OpenAI's own data retention terms.
A common setup is to keep the official API for embeddings or audio and send chat and coding traffic through APIVAI. If you use Codex mainly through a ChatGPT plan, compare that plan's fixed monthly fee and usage limits (ChatGPT pricing) with pay-as-you-go spending.
How to switch from the OpenAI API to APIVAI
The OpenAI-format base URL is https://api.apivai.com/v1, with /v1 exactly once.
OpenAI Python SDK:
from openai import OpenAI
client = OpenAI(
base_url="https://api.apivai.com/v1",
api_key="your-apivai-key",
)
resp = client.responses.create(
model="gpt-5.5",
input="Write a haiku about code review.",
)
print(resp.output_text)client.chat.completions.create(...) works the same way. Many tools also read OPENAI_BASE_URL and OPENAI_API_KEY from the environment.
Codex CLI (0.121 or later), in ~/.codex/config.toml:
model = "gpt-5.5" model_provider = "apivai" [model_providers.apivai] name = "APIVAI" base_url = "https://api.apivai.com/v1" env_key = "OPENAI_API_KEY" wire_api = "responses"
Then set the key and start Codex:
export OPENAI_API_KEY="your-apivai-key" codex
For Cursor, set Settings > Models > Override OpenAI Base URL to https://api.apivai.com/v1, paste the key, and add model IDs as custom models; the Cursor guide has step-by-step instructions. More on the OpenAI-compatible API page.
FAQ
Is APIVAI compatible with the OpenAI SDK?
Yes, for /v1/chat/completions, /v1/responses and /v1/models. Set base_url to https://api.apivai.com/v1 and use your APIVAI key.
Does APIVAI support embeddings, images or audio?
No. APIVAI supports text generation endpoints only. For embeddings, image generation, audio, Realtime, Batch or fine-tuning, use the official OpenAI API.
How much cheaper is APIVAI than OpenAI?
As of 2026-10-06, GPT models on APIVAI are 85–86% below OpenAI's list price. Per-model prices are on the pricing page.
Can I use Claude with the same key?
Yes. Use Claude model IDs through the OpenAI format, or point Claude Code at https://api.apivai.com with the same key.
Why does my tool return 404 after switching?
Usually the base URL is wrong. OpenAI-format tools need /v1 exactly once: https://api.apivai.com/v1, not /v1/v1 and not missing.
Create an APIVAI account and switch your OpenAI tools by changing the base URL and key.