cheapaiapi vs OpenRouter

A focused OpenRouter alternative for image generation.

CheapAIAPI is a focused OpenRouter alternative for supported image-generation workloads. Match the same model and resolution, then map one image request to the CheapAIAPI Job lifecycle. It replaces selected image-generation calls, not OpenRouter's broader LLM routing layer.

Read the API docs View current models

OpenRouter prices are being refreshed. Numeric comparisons are temporarily hidden.

When is CheapAIAPI the right OpenRouter alternative?

Choose CheapAIAPI for image generation when

  • One of the exact Nano Banana rows below covers your workload.
  • A lower price per generation is more important than a broad model router.
  • A focused image API with a recoverable Job lifecycle fits your application.

Keep OpenRouter when

  • You need its broad LLM catalog as well as image generation.
  • You depend on provider routing and model fallbacks behind one API key.
  • Your image model or resolution is not in the CheapAIAPI public catalog.

This page compares image generation only.

OpenRouter image generation prices.

Price refresh in progress.

Use the public model catalog for current CheapAIAPI starting prices while OpenRouter benchmarks are rechecked.

View models and pricing

How we compare OpenRouter image pricing.

Each OpenRouter value comes from the usage.cost field of one successful paid OpenRouter response for the matched image workload.

Read the official OpenRouter image API docs

  1. 01

    Match model and resolution

    Nano Banana 2 1K, 2K, and 4K remain separate price comparisons.

  2. 02

    Use completed-generation cost

    The final paid response is the comparison unit, not an inferred output-token estimate.

  3. 03

    Separate create and edit

    Reference-image edits stay in their own table because the paid cost can differ.

Map an OpenRouter image request.

Both APIs use bearer authentication. The endpoint, model id, and response lifecycle change.

  1. 01

    Endpoint

    Move from https://openrouter.ai/api/v1/images to https://cheapaiapi.org/v1/images/generations.

  2. 02

    API key

    Keep the Authorization: Bearer header and replace the OpenRouter key with your CheapAIAPI key.

  3. 03

    Model

    Use one exact CheapAIAPI public SKU from the comparison table.

  4. 04

    Job recovery

    Every accepted request returns a recoverable Job id. Add ?async=true to return immediately, then poll GET /v1/jobs/{id}.

curl https://cheapaiapi.org/v1/images/generations \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $CHEAPAIAPI_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
  "model": "nano-banana-2-1k",
  "prompt": "product photo on a clean studio background",
  "aspect_ratio": "1:1"
}'

Start with one matched model and resolution before moving more image traffic.

Frequently asked questions about switching from OpenRouter.

Is CheapAIAPI a full OpenRouter replacement?

No. This page compares supported Nano Banana image-generation workloads. Keep OpenRouter when you need its broader LLM catalog, provider routing, model fallbacks, or an image model not listed here.

Are CheapAIAPI image prices based on tokens?

No. CheapAIAPI image generation is priced in USD per generation for the selected model and resolution, not from customer-facing input or output token usage.

How are OpenRouter image costs compared?

Each OpenRouter value comes from the usage.cost field of a completed paid response. The comparison matches the same model, resolution, and create or edit mode before comparing it with the CheapAIAPI per-generation price.

Does the comparison include OpenRouter top-up fees?

No. It compares the completed image-generation usage.cost with the published CheapAIAPI per-generation price. Account funding or payment-processing fees are outside this comparison.

Compare your OpenRouter image cost.

Bring one model, resolution, and monthly volume. We will map the request and calculate the matched cost.

Compare my costs Read the API docs