How to Get a Free LLM API Key
You can get a working LLM API key in minutes, with no credit card. Here's the fastest path — and how to use several at once.
1. Pick a provider with a no-card free tier
The easiest starting points are Google AI Studio (Gemini) and Groq — both are Google/email sign-up, no card, and issue a key instantly. Others worth adding: Cerebras, NVIDIA NIM, Cloudflare, Mistral.
2. Generate the key
Sign in, open the provider's API-keys page, and create a key. Copy it — you'll paste it into FreeLLMAPI once.
3. Route it through FreeLLMAPI
Install the open-source router, open the local dashboard, and add your key on the Keys page. FreeLLMAPI now exposes one OpenAI-compatible endpoint that works with any SDK:
from openai import OpenAI
# FreeLLMAPI runs locally; grab your unified key + endpoint on the Keys page.
client = OpenAI(base_url="http://localhost:3001/v1", api_key="freellmapi-...")
resp = client.chat.completions.create(
model="gpt-oss-120b",
messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello!"}],
)
print(resp.choices[0].message.content)
4. Add more keys for more headroom
Each free key you add raises your total free capacity, and the router fails over automatically when one provider is rate-limited. That's how you turn several small free tiers into one dependable endpoint.
FAQ
Can I get an LLM API key without a credit card?
Yes. Google AI Studio, Groq, Cerebras, NVIDIA NIM, Cloudflare, Mistral, Cohere and Z.ai all issue free API keys without a card. FreeLLMAPI unifies them behind one key.
What's the easiest free LLM API to start with?
Google AI Studio (Gemini) or Groq — both are email/Google sign-up, no card, and work in minutes. Add the key to FreeLLMAPI and you're routing immediately.