For AI agents: a documentation index is available at the root level at /llms.txt and /llms-full.txt. Append /llms.txt to any URL for a page-level index, or .md for the markdown version of any page.
ModelsChatRankingsDocs
DocsAPI ReferenceClient SDKsAgent SDKCookbookChangelog
DocsAPI ReferenceClient SDKsAgent SDKCookbookChangelog
  • Overview
    • Quickstart
    • Principles
    • Models
    • Stripe Projects
    • FAQ
    • Report Feedback
  • Models & Routing
    • Model Fallbacks
    • Provider Selection
    • Auto Exacto
    • Private Models
  • Features
    • Workspaces
    • Presets
    • Response Caching
    • Tool Calling
    • Structured Outputs
    • Message Transforms
    • Zero Completion Insurance
    • ZDR
    • App Attribution
    • Service Tiers
    • Sovereign AI
    • Router Metadata
    • Input & Output Logging
LogoLogo
ModelsChatRankingsDocs
On this page
  • Why OpenRouter?
Overview

Principles

Core principles and values of OpenRouter
Was this page helpful?
Previous

Models

One API for hundreds of models
Next
Built with

OpenRouter helps developers source and optimize AI usage. We believe the future is multi-model and multi-provider.

Why OpenRouter?

Price and Performance. OpenRouter scouts for the best prices, the lowest latencies, and the highest throughput across dozens of providers, and lets you choose how to prioritize them.

Standardized API. No need to change code when switching between models or providers. You can even let your users choose and pay for their own.

Real-World Insights. Be the first to take advantage of new models. See real-world data of how often models are used for different purposes. Keep up to date in our Discord channel.

Consolidated Billing. Simple and transparent billing, regardless of how many providers you use.

Higher Availability. Fallback providers, and automatic, smart routing means your requests still work even when providers go down.

Higher Rate Limits. OpenRouter works directly with providers to provide better rate limits and more throughput.