Ever wondered if it’s actually possible to use AI models without paying a cent?
That’s the same question I had when I started exploring large language models (LLMs) back in the day. Most people assume you need a paid OpenAI plan or some cloud billing setup to even get started. But the truth is, you don’t. And in 2025, the number of 100% free LLM APIs is better than ever.
In this guide, I’ll Walk you through real options. These aren’t limited trials or hidden behind paywalls. I’m talking about actual tools you can use today to build apps, chatbots, automations, and more, completely free.
By the end, you’ll know exactly where to go, what to use, and how to start, even if you’ve never touched an LLM API before.
Let’s get right into the good stuff.
Table of Contents
What Is a Free LLM API?
If you’ve ever played with ChatGPT or Claude, you’ve used an LLM. But what if you want to plug that power into your own app, without paying? That’s where LLM APIs come in.
A free LLM API lets you send text and get AI-generated responses, without needing a subscription or payment. It’s like borrowing brainpower from a smart assistant that doesn’t ask for money. These APIs usually come with usage limits, but many are more than enough for small projects, testing, or learning.
The best part? Some of them are fast, powerful, and open. You can use them to build chatbots, tools, or even write code with just a few lines of input. No need for expensive cloud setups or advanced coding skills.
So yes, free LLM APIs are real. And yes, they’re ready for you to use right now. Let’s look at the best ones available in 2025.
Full List of 100% Free LLM APIs in 2025
Groq
Let me tell you, Groq is shockingly fast. The first time I hit their API, the response came back so quickly I thought something broke. It didn’t. It just worked. That’s the magic of Groq.
They’ve taken some of the best open-source models—like Mixtral and LLaMA 3 70B—and made them available through a free, blazing-fast API. No credit card. No “14-day trial.” Just register, grab an API key, and you’re in.
Groq isn’t just fast for fun. That speed makes a real difference when you’re building apps where users expect instant feedback—think chatbots, real-time assistants, or coding tools. You don’t want delays. Groq doesn’t give you any.
Here’s a quick look at why Groq is worth trying:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 💡 Models Available | Mixtral, LLaMA-3 (8B & 70B) |
| ⚡ Speed | Sub-100ms average response time |
| 💸 Cost | Completely free (as of 2025) |
| 🧠 Ideal For | Real-time apps, AI chatbots, interactive tools |
| 🛠️ Setup Time | ~2 minutes (sign up, get API key, start calling) |
| 📄 Docs | Groq Developer Docs |
If you’re building something that talks back to users—or you just want to try cutting-edge AI without the cost—Groq should be at the top of your list.
Together.ai
When I discovered Together.ai, I felt like I had found a treasure chest of free AI models. This platform offers access to a variety of powerful open-source LLMs, all through a single easy-to-use API. The best part is that it has a generous free tier, so you can experiment without worrying about costs.
Together.ai hosts popular models like Mistral, LLaMA, and more. It’s perfect if you want to try different models without juggling multiple APIs. Whether you are building chatbots, content generators, or AI-powered apps, Together.ai lets you switch models with minimal hassle.
Here is a snapshot of what Together.ai offers:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 💡 Models Available | Mistral, LLaMA, Open models |
| 💸 Cost | Free tier available with generous usage limits |
| 🧩 Flexibility | Easily switch between different models |
| ⚙️ Ease of Use | Simple unified API |
| 🚀 Ideal For | Developers experimenting with multiple models |
| 📄 Docs | Together.ai Docs |
If you want to explore multiple open-source LLMs without signing up for many services, Together.ai makes it straightforward and free to start.
Hugging Face Inference API
If you’ve ever dabbled in open-source AI, Hugging Face is probably a familiar name. Their Inference API gives you free access to hundreds of LLMs hosted right on their platform. From popular models like Mistral and LLaMA to niche ones like Zephyr, there’s something for every project.
What I love about Hugging Face is the sheer variety. Whether you want to experiment with text generation, summarization, or even some vision-language models, it’s all available through one clean API. You get a free tier with enough tokens to try most ideas without spending a dime.
Here’s a quick rundown of what makes their API stand out:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 💡 Models Available | Mistral, LLaMA (2 & 3), Zephyr, Falcon, and more |
| 💸 Cost | Free tier with monthly token limits |
| 🔄 Variety | Huge selection of open-source models |
| ⚙️ Ease of Use | Simple REST API with excellent documentation |
| 🌐 Community Support | Large active community and model hub |
| 📄 Docs | Hugging Face API Docs |
If you want a free, versatile way to try multiple top-notch LLMs without setup hassle, Hugging Face is the place to start.
Cohere API
Cohere has made a name for itself by focusing on practical, production-ready language models. Their Command R+ model shines especially when you need retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), summarization, or text classification.
The best news is that Cohere offers a solid free tier for developers. This means you can experiment with their powerful models without reaching for your credit card. It’s ideal for anyone building chatbots, search tools, or content generators.
Here’s a quick overview of Cohere’s free API:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 💡 Models Available | Command R+ (optimized for retrieval and summarization) |
| 💸 Cost | Free tier with generous monthly token allowance |
| 🎯 Use Cases | Search, summarization, chatbots, classification |
| ⚙️ API Type | RESTful API, easy to integrate |
| 🛠️ Developer Support | Extensive docs and SDKs |
| 📄 Docs | Cohere API Docs |
If your project needs to combine AI with external knowledge or build smarter chatbots, Cohere’s free tier is definitely worth trying.
Google AI Studio (Gemini)
Google’s AI Studio brings the power of its Gemini models directly to developers with a free tier for prototyping and small projects. Gemini 1.5, their latest LLM, delivers strong natural language understanding and generation capabilities that rival other big players.
What stands out is Google’s deep AI research backing and seamless integration with other Google Cloud services. You can get started quickly without worrying about costs while you test or build simple applications.
Here’s a quick feature overview of Google AI Studio:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 💡 Model | Gemini 1.5 |
| 💸 Cost | Free tier with daily token limits |
| 🔗 Integration | Easy to connect with Google Cloud ecosystem |
| 🎯 Use Cases | Chatbots, content creation, prototyping |
| ⚙️ API Type | RESTful API with SDK support |
| 📄 Docs | Google AI Studio Docs |
If you want to leverage Google’s AI research for your projects without paying upfront, Google AI Studio is a solid choice.
Fireworks AI
Fireworks AI offers a variety of free LLM APIs, including access to popular models like Claude, LLaMA, and Mistral. What’s great about Fireworks is that they provide a simple interface and free monthly usage, making it easy for developers to test and build without worrying about costs.
Whether you want to experiment with chatbots, content generation, or creative writing, Fireworks AI supports it all with a straightforward API.
Here’s a quick look at Fireworks AI’s features:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 💡 Models Available | Claude, LLaMA, Mistral |
| 💸 Cost | Free monthly quota |
| ⚙️ API Type | Easy-to-use REST API |
| 🛠️ Ideal For | Chatbots, writing assistants, creative apps |
| 📄 Docs | Fireworks AI Docs |
If you want a free API with multiple powerful models in one place, Fireworks AI is worth exploring.
OpenRouter.ai
OpenRouter.ai is a smart way to access multiple open and closed LLMs through a single unified API. You don’t have to manage different API keys or endpoints—OpenRouter handles it all for you.
The platform offers a generous free tier, allowing developers to experiment with popular models like GPT, Claude, and open-source alternatives without cost. It’s perfect for those who want flexibility and easy switching between models.
Here’s a quick overview of what OpenRouter.ai offers:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 💡 Models Available | GPT, Claude, LLaMA, Mistral, and others |
| 💸 Cost | Free tier with generous monthly limits |
| 🔄 Flexibility | Single API for many models |
| ⚙️ Ease of Use | Simple setup, easy integration |
| 🛠️ Ideal For | Developers needing model variety and flexibility |
| 📄 Docs | OpenRouter Docs |
If you want one API to rule them all and keep your options open, OpenRouter.ai is a great pick.
Replicate
Replicate is a versatile platform that hosts a wide range of AI models, including many popular LLMs. What sets Replicate apart is its pay-as-you-go pricing model combined with free trial credits, so you can explore powerful models without upfront costs.
You can run everything from text generation to multimodal AI tasks like image generation. This flexibility makes Replicate perfect if you want to experiment beyond just language models.
Here’s a quick overview of Replicate’s key features:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 💡 Models Available | LLaMA, Mistral, Stable Diffusion, and more |
| 💸 Cost | Free credits on signup, then pay-as-you-go |
| ⚙️ API Type | REST API with multiple SDKs |
| 🛠️ Ideal For | Multimodal AI, developers experimenting with many tasks |
| 📄 Docs | Replicate Docs |
If you want a flexible platform that lets you experiment with both LLMs and other AI models, Replicate is a fantastic choice.
Poe.com
If you want to try powerful LLMs without signing up for an API key or worrying about billing, Poe.com is a great place to start. Poe lets you chat with models like Claude, GPT-4o, and others—all accessible right in your browser or via their app.
While Poe doesn’t provide a traditional API, it’s a convenient way to access multiple LLMs for free. It’s perfect for quick testing, prototyping, or casual use when you don’t want to deal with setup or code.
Here’s what Poe.com offers at a glance:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 💡 Models Available | Claude, GPT-4o, and other popular LLMs |
| 💸 Cost | Completely free to use via browser or app |
| ⚙️ Ease of Use | No API key, no coding needed |
| 🛠️ Ideal For | Quick tests, chatbots, casual experimentation |
| 📄 Docs | Poe Help Center |
If you want to explore different LLMs without any setup, Poe.com is an excellent starting point.
LM Studio
If you want full control and zero API costs, LM Studio lets you run powerful LLMs directly on your own computer. No internet required, no usage limits—just pure local power.
LM Studio supports models like LLaMA, Mistral, and more, so you can experiment freely without worrying about tokens or monthly quotas. It’s perfect if you have a decent PC and want privacy or offline access.
Here’s a quick look at LM Studio’s key features:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 💡 Models Supported | LLaMA, Mistral, GPT-J, and others |
| 💸 Cost | Completely free, runs locally |
| 🔒 Privacy | Your data never leaves your machine |
| ⚙️ Setup | Easy install, no API keys |
| 🛠️ Ideal For | Developers wanting offline, private LLM access |
| 📄 Docs | LM Studio Docs |
If you want to avoid API limitations and own your AI experience, LM Studio is the way to go.
Sonar API by Perplexity AI
Perplexity AI powers its answers using Sonar, a cutting-edge API that combines large language models with real-time web search. Unlike their free web app, Sonar offers developers access to this powerful AI with contextual, up-to-date responses via API.
While still in early stages, Sonar provides a free tier so you can experiment with web-enhanced LLM capabilities. It’s perfect if you want your app to deliver AI answers grounded in fresh internet data, not just static knowledge.
Here’s a quick look at Sonar API’s features:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 💡 Functionality | LLM-powered answers enhanced with live web search |
| 💸 Cost | Free tier available for developers |
| ⚙️ API Type | REST API with JSON responses |
| 🛠️ Ideal For | Apps needing real-time, factual AI responses |
| 📄 Docs | Sonar API Docs |
If your project needs AI answers that stay current with the web, Sonar API is a promising option to explore.
Abacus AI
Abacus AI offers hosted large language models with a free trial, making it easy to test powerful AI capabilities without any upfront cost. Their platform focuses on deploying and managing production-ready AI models, so you can build intelligent applications faster.
With Abacus AI’s free tier, developers get access to LLM APIs suitable for chatbots, summarization, and other NLP tasks. It’s a great option if you want a managed solution without worrying about infrastructure.
Here’s a quick overview of Abacus AI:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 💡 Models Available | Hosted LLMs optimized for production |
| 💸 Cost | Free trial with usage limits |
| ⚙️ API Type | RESTful API with SDKs |
| 🛠️ Ideal For | Production apps needing scalable LLMs |
| 📄 Docs | Abacus AI Docs |
If you want to try a managed LLM platform with zero initial cost, Abacus AI is a solid choice.
Baseten
Baseten lets you deploy open-source LLMs quickly with a free tier perfect for startups and developers testing new ideas. You don’t have to manage servers or complex infrastructure—just upload your model and Baseten handles the rest.
The platform supports popular open models and offers a simple API to integrate AI into your apps. Their free tier gives you enough monthly usage to build prototypes and small projects without spending a dime.
Here’s a quick look at Baseten’s features:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 💡 Models Supported | Open-source LLMs like LLaMA, GPT-J, and others |
| 💸 Cost | Free tier with monthly limits |
| ⚙️ Setup | Easy deployment, no server management |
| 🛠️ Ideal For | Developers launching prototypes or MVPs |
| 📄 Docs | Baseten Docs |
If you want a hassle-free way to deploy and test open LLMs, Baseten is worth trying.
Comparison of Top 12 Free LLM APIs in 2025: Features, Limits, and Use Cases
| Provider | Key Models/Features | Free Tier Details | Ideal Use Cases | Docs Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groq | Mixtral, LLaMA-3 (8B & 70B) | Completely free, no credit card | Real-time apps, chatbots | Groq Docs |
| Together.ai | Mistral, LLaMA, others | Generous free tier | Multi-model experimentation | Together Docs |
| Hugging Face | Mistral, LLaMA, Zephyr, Falcon | Free monthly token limits | Variety of NLP tasks | HF Docs |
| Cohere | Command R+ | Free tier with token allowance | RAG, summarization, chatbots | Cohere Docs |
| Google AI Studio | Gemini 1.5 | Free daily token limits | Prototyping, chatbots | Google Docs |
| Fireworks AI | Claude, LLaMA, Mistral | Free monthly quota | Chatbots, writing assistants | Fireworks Docs |
| OpenRouter.ai | GPT, Claude, LLaMA, Mistral | Generous free tier | Multi-model flexibility | OpenRouter Docs |
| Replicate | LLaMA, Mistral, Stable Diffusion | Free credits on signup, pay-as-you-go | Multimodal AI, experimentation | Replicate Docs |
| Poe.com | Claude, GPT-4o, others | Completely free via app/browser | Quick tests, casual use | Poe Help |
| LM Studio | LLaMA, Mistral, GPT-J | Fully free, runs locally | Offline, privacy-focused use | LM Studio Docs |
| Sonar API | LLM + live web search | Free tier available | Real-time factual answers | Sonar Docs |
| Abacus AI | Hosted LLMs | Free trial with usage limits | Production-grade apps | Abacus Docs |
Conclusion
When I first started exploring free LLM APIs, I was surprised by how many great options are available today. You don’t have to spend money to get access to powerful AI models anymore.
These free APIs let you build real projects, test ideas, and learn without worrying about costs. Each provider has its strengths, so you can choose the one that fits your needs best.
Remember, free tiers often come with limits, but they are perfect for small to medium projects or prototypes. As you grow, you can decide if paid plans make sense.
Now that you know where to find free LLM APIs, it’s time to dive in and start building your own AI-powered apps. You’ve got this.