Solutions
AI API with free credit
For starting free after card verification, then paying less, Somnus gives you 10 models on one OpenAI-compatible key. Usage is billed at list price but every top-up is credited 2× to 2.5×, so Claude Haiku 5.5 — the cheapest option here — effectively costs $0.05 / $0.25 per 1M input/output tokens.
Choosing a ai api with free credit
Free credit is the easiest way to test real prompts before paying anything. Somnus gives new accounts free credit after card verification, usable on any model.
Spend it on low-priced models and it stretches to thousands of requests; spend it on a flagship model to judge quality on your hardest prompts.
AI API with free credit: price ranking
| # | Model | Maker | List (in / out) | Effective with Somnus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Claude Haiku 5.5 | Anthropic | $0.1 / $0.5 | $0.05 / $0.25 |
| 2 | GPT-6 Luna | OpenAI | $0.1 / $0.5 | $0.05 / $0.25 |
| 3 | DeepSeek V4.1 Flash | DeepSeek | $0.15 / $0.6 | $0.075 / $0.3 |
| 4 | DeepSeek V4 Flash | DeepSeek | $0.22 / $0.66 | $0.11 / $0.33 |
| 5 | DeepSeek V4 Pro | DeepSeek | $0.66 / $1.98 | $0.33 / $0.99 |
| 6 | Gemini 3.8 Flash | $0.75 / $3.75 | $0.375 / $1.875 | |
| 7 | Claude Haiku 4.5 | Anthropic | $1 / $5 | $0.5 / $2.5 |
| 8 | GLM 5.3 | Zhipu | $1.4 / $4.4 | $0.7 / $2.2 |
Ranked by blended price (3 input : 1 output tokens).
Why Somnus for ai api with free credit
- Somnus buys model access in bulk and passes the saving on as extra credit.
- Pay-as-you-go. No monthly caps or throttling — spend your balance however you like.
- $10 free credit after card verification.
- Switch models by changing one string — same key, same balance.
Point the OpenAI SDK at Somnus
import OpenAI from "openai";
const client = new OpenAI({
apiKey: process.env.SOMNUS_API_KEY,
baseURL: "https://somnus.world/api/public/gateway/v1",
});
const resp = await client.chat.completions.create({
model: "claude-sonnet-5",
messages: [
{"role": "user", "content": "AI API with free credit"}
],
});
console.log(resp.choices[0].message.content);Try model "claude-haiku-5-5" first.
| Claude Sonnet 5 | GPT-5.6 Sol | |
|---|---|---|
| Input / 1M | $2 | $5 |
| Output / 1M | $10 | $30 |
| This request | $0.0120 | $0.0340 |
| Blended / 1M (3:1) | $4.00 | $11.25 |
Claude Sonnet 5 is 2.8× cheaper for this request.
Questions
What is the ai api with free credit?
Among starting free after card verification, then paying less, Claude Haiku 5.5 has the lowest list price on Somnus ($0.1 / $0.5), about $0.05 / $0.25 effective.
Is it really that cheap?
Yes: usage is charged at list price, and each $1 you top up becomes $2–$2.50 of credit.
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