Can I move from OpenRouter to Y-API without changing my code?

Both speak the OpenAI Chat Completions protocol, so the migration is the same two lines either way: point base_url at https://api.y-api.bestvirtualgoods.com/v1 and swap the key. What you do have to check is the model field — the two services use different model IDs, and Y-API only carries the models on its own catalog page.

Which one is cheaper, Y-API or OpenRouter?

It depends on the model, and the two quote in different units, so a headline number would be misleading. OpenRouter passes through provider list prices and adds a 5.5% fee when you buy credits. Y-API converts $1 into $10 of credit, then deducts that credit at each model's own rate. To compare honestly, take one model you actually use, look up its rate on each service, and divide Y-API's rate by 10 to get the dollars you would pay.

Does "$1 becomes $10" mean Y-API is 10% of official pricing?

No. The top-up rate is 1:10. Credit is a metering unit inside the service, and each model burns it at its own multiplier, which varies widely between models. Treat the deductions in the request log as the real cost rather than assuming a fixed discount off any provider's list price.

Does Y-API carry GPT, Claude, or Gemini models?

Yes. The catalog you can call today is 35 model IDs, including models from DeepSeek, Qwen, MiniMax, Z.ai, Moonshot AI, Anthropic, Google, OpenAI, xAI, Tencent, Xiaomi, and StepFun; each vendor's shipping models are on the models page, called by model ID. Models that are not on that list are still out of reach — that is where OpenRouter covers more ground.

OpenRouter alternative: Y-API vs OpenRouter

If you are considering Y-API as an OpenRouter alternative, start with model coverage, actual token costs and API compatibility. Both use the OpenAI Chat Completions format; model IDs and platform features are not interchangeable. The comparison below cites each service's own terms.

OpenRouter details verified 2026-08-13 against the sources listed at the bottom of this page. Terms change — check their site before deciding.

View LLM API pricing & billing →Compare all 35+ models & API prices →Read the full guide →

Y-API and OpenRouter compared across billing, privacy, and model coverage
Dimension	Y-API	OpenRouter
API protocol	Y-APIOpenAI Chat Completions. Swap base_url and api_key; the rest of your code is unchanged.	OpenRouterOpenAI Chat Completions. Its docs describe OpenRouter as a drop-in replacement for OpenAI.
What a top-up converts to	Y-API$1 becomes $10 of account credit, at the same rate for any amount.	OpenRouter$1 becomes $1 of credits, plus a 5.5% purchase fee with an $0.80 minimum. Crypto payments are charged 5%.
Model pricing	Y-APIEach model has its own rate in USD credit per 1M tokens, input and output counted separately.	OpenRouterProvider list prices passed through with no markup — the same rate you would pay the provider directly.
Minimum spend	Y-APINone. Any top-up amount converts at the same rate.	OpenRouterNone either. OpenRouter states it does not currently offer volume discounts.
Credit on sign-up	Y-API$1 on sign-up, no card required. Trial accounts are capped at 500 requests per day (shared across all models); limit removed after first top-up.	OpenRouterA small free allowance for new users. Free model variants are capped at 50 requests per day, or 1,000 per day once you have purchased at least $10 of credits.
Credit expiry	Y-APIThe terms set no expiry date on credit.	OpenRouterOpenRouter reserves the right to expire unused credits one year after purchase.
Refunds	Y-APIGenerally not offered once credit has been granted; duplicate charges and system faults are corrected after verification.	OpenRouterRefundable within 24 hours of purchase. Platform fees are non-refundable, and crypto payments are never refundable.
Request content	Y-APINever stored. Logs keep only metadata: time, model, token counts, latency, and credit deducted.	OpenRouterNot logged by default. There is an opt-in that logs prompts and completions in exchange for a 1% usage discount.
Model coverage	Y-API35 callable model IDs, including models from DeepSeek, Qwen, MiniMax, Z.ai, Moonshot AI, Anthropic, Google, OpenAI, xAI, Tencent, Xiaomi, and StepFun, listed in full on the models page.	OpenRouterFrontier models from the major labs across a much larger catalog, including many models Y-API does not carry.

Fit

When Y-API is an OpenRouter alternative — and when it is not

Choose Y-API if

The models you call are in its catalog — DeepSeek, Qwen, MiniMax, Z.ai, Moonshot AI, Anthropic, Google, OpenAI, xAI, Tencent, Xiaomi, and StepFun cover your workload.
You want every dollar topped up to go further, and you do not want a percentage taken at purchase time.
You want per-call accounting without a subscription, and an account that costs nothing while idle.

Choose OpenRouter if

You need the long tail from the major labs — plenty of models beyond the ones listed here.
You want automatic fallback across multiple inference providers for the same model.
You want to bring your own provider keys (BYOK) and keep rate limits with the provider.

FAQ

OpenRouter migration, pricing and model compatibility

Can I move from OpenRouter to Y-API without changing my code?: Both speak the OpenAI Chat Completions protocol, so the migration is the same two lines either way: point base_url at https://api.y-api.bestvirtualgoods.com/v1 and swap the key. What you do have to check is the model field — the two services use different model IDs, and Y-API only carries the models on its own catalog page.
Which one is cheaper, Y-API or OpenRouter?: It depends on the model, and the two quote in different units, so a headline number would be misleading. OpenRouter passes through provider list prices and adds a 5.5% fee when you buy credits. Y-API converts $1 into $10 of credit, then deducts that credit at each model's own rate. To compare honestly, take one model you actually use, look up its rate on each service, and divide Y-API's rate by 10 to get the dollars you would pay.
Does "$1 becomes $10" mean Y-API is 10% of official pricing?: No. The top-up rate is 1:10. Credit is a metering unit inside the service, and each model burns it at its own multiplier, which varies widely between models. Treat the deductions in the request log as the real cost rather than assuming a fixed discount off any provider's list price.
Does Y-API carry GPT, Claude, or Gemini models?: Yes. The catalog you can call today is 35 model IDs, including models from DeepSeek, Qwen, MiniMax, Z.ai, Moonshot AI, Anthropic, Google, OpenAI, xAI, Tencent, Xiaomi, and StepFun; each vendor's shipping models are on the models page, called by model ID. Models that are not on that list are still out of reach — that is where OpenRouter covers more ground.

Provenance