Based on typical OpenRouter / vendor API rate bands
AI Subscription vs API Smart Savings Calculator
Find out if paying $20/mo flat or using API pay-as-you-go saves you more money in 1 second.
Select your primary AI usage role:
Options
Your Savings Diagnosis
Pick a role above to see your diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
When should I cancel a $20 AI subscription and use API instead?
If estimated monthly API spend for your role is under about $12, pay-as-you-go is usually cheaper. This calculator factors multi-subscriptions and rate limits.
Should heavy developers keep the official subscription?
If token volume is high (pure API often ≥ $20/mo), the flat sub is usually worth it; add an API backup if you hit rate limits.