OpenAI API vs OpenRouter
OpenAI API OpenAI
GPT models for text, vision, images, audio and realtime voice, plus the Agents SDK.
VisitOpenRouter OpenRouter
One API and bill for hundreds of models from every major provider, with fallbacks.
VisitSide by side
| Property | OpenAI API | OpenRouter |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Product | Product |
| Category | AI models and APIs | AI models and APIs |
| Made by | OpenAI | OpenRouter |
| Pricing | Pay per use | Pay per use |
| Open source | No | No |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | API | API |
| Startup | Yes | Yes |
Features
Only OpenAI API
- reasoning
- image generation
- voice
- embeddings
- agents
Both
- llm api
Only OpenRouter
- multi-model
- routing
- inference