Free AI API credits & free AI models.
Claim free AI API credits from live voucher drops, student programs and partner hackathons — then call a rotating set of free AI models at $0. Browse without an account; claiming takes two clicks.
How to get free AI API credits
- Create an account — An API key takes 30 seconds. No card, no sales call.
- Claim an offer — Open offers claim in two clicks. Student and community offers unlock with an eligible email or an invite code.
- Call any model — Credit works across the catalog — one OpenAI-compatible endpoint, 40+ providers. Free AI models cost $0 regardless.
How claiming works
Each offer deep-links to its claim page. Open offers claim in two clicks; community offers unlock with an access code or an eligible email (for example a student address). Eligibility is always verified server-side at claim time.
Hackathon campaigns
Partner hackathons grant starter credit when you join and can match your top-ups while the campaign window is open. Terms — starter grant, match rate, caps and deadlines — are shown on every card.
Free AI credit — questions
How do I get free AI API credits?
Create an OrcaRouter account and claim any open offer on this page — most grant credit instantly, with no card required. Student and community offers unlock with an eligible email address or an invite code, and partner hackathons grant starter credit when you join. New offers are listed here as they go live.
Which AI models are free to use?
OrcaRouter keeps a rotating set of free AI models callable at $0 per token, listed on this page. The lineup changes as new open-weight and promotional models land. Promo credit from a voucher or hackathon is usually spendable on any model in the catalog, free or paid; a scoped offer says so on its card.
Do I need a credit card for free AI API credits?
No. Creating an account and claiming an open offer requires no payment method. A small number of partner offers ask for a card on file as an anti-abuse check — those are labelled "card required" on the card itself before you claim.
Are there free AI credits for students?
Yes, when a student offer is live. Student offers verify eligibility from your account's verified email domain (for example a .edu address) at claim time. If none is live right now, join the waitlist on any card that offers one and we will email you when the next drop lands.
How do hackathon credits work?
A partner hackathon grants starter credit the moment you join, and can match your top-ups while the campaign window is open. Each card shows the exact terms — starter grant, match rate, cap, minimum top-up and deadlines — before you commit.
Does free credit expire?
Promo credit carries its own expiry, shown on the claim page before you confirm. Free AI models do not expire — they are $0 for as long as they are in the lineup.
Which models can I spend free AI credit on?
Most offers grant wallet credit spendable across the whole catalog — 40+ providers behind one OpenAI-compatible endpoint. Some offers are scoped to a named model or family; when they are, the scope is printed on the card and enforced at claim time.
Is there a free AI API without a trial clock?
Yes. The free AI models on this page are $0 per token for as long as they stay in the lineup — there is no countdown and no expiring trial. Promo credit is separate and does carry an expiry, which is always shown before you claim.
How is this different from free credits from OpenAI or Anthropic?
Credit claimed here is not tied to one provider. The same balance calls models from 40+ upstream providers through a single OpenAI-compatible endpoint, so you can compare models or switch without a second account, a second key or a second bill.
Why is my region or account not eligible?
Some offers are limited by region, restricted to new accounts, or reserved for a named community. The card states the restriction up front, and eligibility is verified server-side at claim time. When you are not eligible and the card offers a waitlist, join it and we will email you when a matching offer opens.