cheapaiapi vs OpenRouter

A lower-cost OpenRouter alternative for image generation.

CheapAIAPI is a lower-cost OpenRouter alternative for supported Nano Banana workloads. Matched rows compare the same model and resolution in USD per generation. It replaces selected image-generation calls, not OpenRouter's broader LLM routing layer.

Read the API docs See image prices

When is CheapAIAPI the right OpenRouter alternative?

Choose CheapAIAPI for image generation when

  • One of the exact Nano Banana rows below covers your workload.
  • A lower price per generation is more important than a broad model router.
  • A focused image API with a recoverable Job lifecycle fits your application.

Keep OpenRouter when

  • You need its broad LLM catalog as well as image generation.
  • You depend on provider routing and model fallbacks behind one API key.
  • Your image model or resolution is not in the CheapAIAPI public catalog.

This page compares image generation only.

30,000 Nano Banana Pro 4K images per month

$3,906

Spend less on OpenRouter image generation.

$3,300 with CheapAIAPI instead of $7,206 at the matched paid OpenRouter price.

OpenRouter image generation prices.

Scope: one-image prices in USD per completed image request, with source-linked price references where applicable.

cheapaiapi per-generation prices compared with OpenRouter prices and references
Model cheapaiapiUs OpenRouterOR
Nano Banana $0.024 $0.039+62%
Nano Banana 2 Lite 1k $0.024 $0.035+43%
Nano Banana Pro 1K $0.07 $0.137+94%
Nano Banana Pro 2K $0.08 $0.137+71%
Nano Banana Pro 4K $0.11 $0.241+118%
Nano Banana 2.1 1K $0.028 $0.049+73%
Nano Banana 2.1 2K $0.038 $0.065+70%
Nano Banana 2.1 4K $0.06 $0.125+108%
GPT Image 2.5 $0.04 $0.061+53%
GPT Image 2.6 $0.04 $0.061+53%

OpenRouter image editing prices.

Scope: one completed image edit, exact model and resolution, USD per generation.

cheapaiapi per-generation prices compared with OpenRouter paid edit prices
Model cheapaiapiUs OpenRouterOR
Nano Banana $0.024 $0.04+63%
Nano Banana Pro 1K $0.07 $0.138+96%

Frequently asked questions about switching from OpenRouter.

Is CheapAIAPI a full OpenRouter replacement?

No. This page compares supported Nano Banana image-generation workloads. Keep OpenRouter when you need its broader LLM catalog, provider routing, model fallbacks, or an image model not listed here.

Are CheapAIAPI image prices based on tokens?

No. CheapAIAPI image generation is priced in USD per generation for the selected model and resolution, not from customer-facing input or output token usage.

How are OpenRouter image costs compared?

Nano Banana comparisons use the usage.cost field from completed paid responses for the same model, resolution, and create or edit mode. GPT Image 2.5 is listed as a photo-edit price reference.

Does the comparison include OpenRouter top-up fees?

No. Nano Banana rows compare completed-generation usage.cost with the published CheapAIAPI per-generation price. GPT Image 2.5 is a photo-edit price reference. Account funding or payment-processing fees are outside this comparison.

Compare your OpenRouter image cost.

Bring one model, resolution, and monthly volume. We will map the request and calculate the matched cost.

Compare my costs Read the API docs