The OpenRouter alternative
The same models. A smaller bill than OpenRouter.
Pay less than list price on Claude, GPT, Gemini and more, with no platform fee on top. One API key, one balance, and edge gateways close to your app.
vs OpenRouter
API. Key. Balance.
Your models in one place. Compare the token price, then keep building.
PromptsForLess vs OpenRouter
Every token counts.
USD per million tokens. Uncached text pricing. Platform fees excluded.
| Model | OpenRouter | PromptsForLess | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Input / 1M | Output / 1M | Input / 1M | Output / 1M | |
 Claude Sonnet 5Anthropic | $2.00 | $10.00 | $1.2040% lower | $6.0040% lower |
 GPT-6 LunaOpenAI | $0.10 | $0.50 | $0.06337% lower | $0.31537% lower |
OpenRouter rates are the headline prices on its model pages, before its 5.5% platform fee. With the fee, the gap is wider.
A worked example
Same model.
Different monthly bill.
Claude Sonnet 5, with 100M input tokens and 20M output tokens a month, before caching.
Formula: input × rate + output × rate
Calculated from the rates in the table above.
The details
behind the switch.
OpenRouter charges list price plus a platform fee. PromptsForLess charges less than list price and no fee, through the same OpenAI-compatible API.
| What matters | PromptsForLess | OpenRouter |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing approach | Below list price on every model, with no platform fee. One prepaid balance covers everything. | Published model rates, plus a 5.5% platform fee on Standard. Business and Enterprise pricing differ. |
| API setup | One OpenAI-compatible base URL, API key, and our own model IDs. | OpenAI-compatible API with its own model IDs. |
| Routing & speed | Edge gateways near your app send each request straight to the model, so routing adds very little. | Configurable routing, with price, throughput, and latency preferences documented. |
| Best fit | Teams that want the models they already use, for less, with a one-line switch. | Teams that want per-request routing rules across many providers and are happy to pay list price for it. |
Edge gateways
Less time
on the way there.
Every request enters at the PromptsForLess gateway nearest your app, then goes straight to the model. Fewer hops means less time before the first token.
- 1
Your app
One base URL. Your existing request format.
- 2
PromptsForLess edge gateway
The nearest entry point checks your key and routes the call.
- 3
The model you selected
Stream the response back through the same API.
Make the move
Small config.
Fresh prices.
- 1. Pick a model. Check its rate, version, and supported features.
- 2. Change your connection. Use our base URL and a PromptsForLess key.
- 3. Test your workload. Validate streaming, tools, and error handling before moving traffic.
import OpenAI from "openai";
const client = new OpenAI({
baseURL: "https://api.promptsforless.com/v1",
apiKey: process.env.PFL_API_KEY,
});
const response = await client.chat.completions.create({
model: "claude-sonnet-5",
messages: [{ role: "user", content: "Hello!" }],
});Keep API keys server-side. Check endpoint availability before using this example in production.
Before you
switch.
Is PromptsForLess cheaper than OpenRouter?
For the models above, yes. OpenRouter bills at list price and adds a platform fee; we bill below list price with no fee. Check the price of your own models on our models page.
Can I keep my OpenAI SDK?
Yes. Change the base URL and API key, and use a PromptsForLess model ID. Streaming, tool calls and structured outputs work the same way.
How fast is PromptsForLess?
Requests enter at the edge gateway nearest your app and go straight to the model, so routing adds very little. Most of the time you see is the model generating its answer.
Sources & methodology
Competitor information checked October 8, 2026 from the public sources below. Cost examples exclude tax and caching.
More prompts for your money.
Find your model. Compare your costs. Keep building.