Use them without surprises

  • Set a budget alert right away after signing up for any cloud — even at $1.
  • Shut down what you don't use: servers and databases can keep consuming credit while idle.
  • Know what happens when credits end: some accounts close automatically, others start charging your card if you upgraded.
  • Keep sensitive data off free AI API tiers: some providers (like the Gemini API free tier) may use requests to improve their products.
  • Don't open multiple accounts for extra credits — it breaks the terms and can get all your accounts closed.

Where to start

  • Trying AI models in a small project: Google AI Studio (free, no card) or OpenRouter's free models.
  • Building an app that needs a server: Google Cloud ($300) or AWS (up to $200).
  • Running your own models on GPUs: Modal ($30 of compute every month).
  • Building RAG or semantic search: a free vector database from Qdrant, Upstash or Pinecone.
  • Speech-to-text: Deepgram ($200 credit, no card).
  • Students: Azure for Students ($100, no card), the GitHub Student Developer Pack and the JetBrains Student Pack — plus every other student offer on our student offers page.

When the free part runs out, compare what each model costs in AI API prices per million tokens.

Looking for an AI coding tool rather than an API? Compare them in AI coding tools pricing.