HubLensLLMmnfst/awesome-free-llm-apis
// archived 2026-04-21
mnfst

awesome-free-llm-apis

AI🌱 NEW PROJECT BOOST#LLM#API#Generative AI#Inference
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// summary

This repository provides a curated list of LLM API providers that offer permanent free tiers for text inference. It categorizes services into direct provider APIs and third-party inference platforms, detailing model capabilities, context windows, and rate limits. The collection serves as a comprehensive resource for developers seeking cost-effective access to various large language models.

// technical analysis

This project serves as a comprehensive, curated directory of Large Language Model (LLM) providers that offer permanent free tiers for text inference. Its design philosophy focuses on accessibility and developer utility, aggregating API endpoints, rate limits, and model capabilities to simplify the selection process for cost-sensitive projects. By categorizing services into direct provider APIs and third-party inference platforms, it helps developers navigate the trade-offs between model performance, regional availability, and usage constraints without requiring credit card commitments.

// key highlights

01
Aggregates permanent free-tier LLM APIs from major providers like Cohere, Google, Mistral, and Zhipu AI.
02
Includes third-party inference platforms such as Groq, Cerebras, and OpenRouter for high-speed or diverse model access.
03
Provides detailed technical specifications for each provider, including context windows, max output tokens, and specific rate limits.
04
Standardizes information across providers, noting OpenAI SDK compatibility for most endpoints to ensure ease of integration.
05
Categorizes models by modality, supporting text, vision, audio, and embedding tasks across various platforms.
06
Maintains a clear glossary of technical metrics like RPM, RPD, and TPM to help developers understand usage quotas.

// use cases

01
Accessing high-performance LLMs without upfront credit card requirements
02
Integrating diverse AI models via OpenAI SDK-compatible endpoints
03
Comparing rate limits and model specifications across multiple inference providers

// getting started

To begin using these APIs, browse the directory to select a provider that meets your model and rate limit requirements. Click the provided link for your chosen service to register and generate an API key. Once you have your key, configure your application to point to the specified Base URL, ensuring your code is compatible with the OpenAI SDK or the provider's specific API requirements.