The Problem: AI APIs Are Expensive
If you're a developer using Claude Code, Cursor, or building with AI APIs, you know the costs add up fast:
| Service | Cost | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Claude Pro | $20/month | Rate limited, no API access |
| Anthropic API (Sonnet) | $3/$15 per M tokens | Requires credit card, region restrictions |
| OpenAI API (GPT-5.5) | $5/$30per M tokens | Same issues |
| APIVAI | Over 50% below official rates | No subscription, no restrictions |
Current per-model rates are always on our live pricing page.
What is APIVAI?
APIVAI is an AI API gateway that gives you access to the same Claude and GPT models through a single, OpenAI-compatible API:
- All models, one API key — Claude Fable 5, Opus 4.8, Opus 4.7, Opus 4.6, Sonnet 5, Sonnet 4.6, Haiku 4.5, GPT-5.5
- Over 50% cheaper than official API pricing
- No subscription — pay per token, starting from $10
- No VPN needed — works from anywhere
- Drop-in replacement — change one URL, everything else stays the same
How to Use with Claude Code
Just set two environment variables:
Mac/Linux:
ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN="your-apivai-key" \ ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL="https://api.apivai.com" \ claude
Windows PowerShell:
$env:ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN="your-apivai-key" $env:ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL="https://api.apivai.com" claude
Same Claude Code experience, over 50% cheaper.
How to Use with Cursor
Go to Cursor Settings > Models > Override OpenAI Base URL and set:
https://api.apivai.com/v1
Real Cost Comparison
| Usage Pattern | Official API | APIVAI |
|---|---|---|
| Casual (50 msgs/mo) | $1.75 | Less than half |
| Daily user (20 msgs/day) | $12.25 | Less than half |
| Developer (10M tokens/mo) | $45+ | Less than half |
No monthly fee. Pay only for what you use. See the pricing page for today's exact rates.
API Compatibility
Works with any OpenAI-compatible tool: Claude Code, Cursor, Continue, Aider, Open Interpreter, and more.
from openai import OpenAI
client = OpenAI(
api_key="your-apivai-key",
base_url="https://api.apivai.com/v1"
)
response = client.chat.completions.create(
model="claude-sonnet-4-6",
messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello!"}]
)Get Started
- Sign up at apivai.com — email + verification code
- Top up — from $10 by card or crypto, or ¥20 by Alipay / WeChat Pay
- Create an API key on the Dashboard
- Set the base URL — https://api.apivai.com for Claude Code, https://api.apivai.com/v1 for Cursor and OpenAI-compatible tools — and start coding
No subscription. No VPN. No restrictions.