Alternatives
An OpenAI API alternative with one key for 50+ models
OpenAI offers its GPT models to developers through the OpenAI API platform, billed per token under an OpenAI account.
What developers use it for
- Chat assistants and copilots built on GPT models
- Tool and function calling inside products
- Teams already standardised on the OpenAI SDKs
Things to consider
- Access is limited to OpenAI's own models, so using Claude or Gemini means a second account and a second bill.
- Prices are published on OpenAI's pricing page and change as new models ship — check them directly.
Where Somnus fits
Somnus accepts the same OpenAI SDKs: change the base URL and key, and GPT, Claude, Gemini, DeepSeek and more share one prepaid balance.
Every Somnus top-up is credited at 2× or more, and usage is billed at each model's list price, so a dollar of credit buys at least two dollars of usage.
Switching from OpenAI: change two settings
from openai import OpenAI
import os
client = OpenAI(
api_key=os.environ["SOMNUS_API_KEY"],
base_url="https://somnus.world/api/public/gateway/v1",
)
resp = client.chat.completions.create(
model="claude-sonnet-5",
messages=[
{"role": "user", "content": "Hello"}
],
)
print(resp.choices[0].message.content)If you already use OpenAI's OpenAI-compatible endpoint, only base_url, the key and the model name change.
Questions
Is Somnus affiliated with OpenAI?
No. Somnus is independent. This page summarises OpenAI's public information, linked below.
Can I keep using OpenAI too?
Yes. Many teams use Somnus for multi-model access alongside a direct provider account.
Is there a free trial?
New Somnus accounts start with $10 of free credit after card verification.
Sources
Last checked 2026-09-29. Prices and features of other providers change — confirm on their sites.
Explore Somnus as another API option
Try it side by side with OpenAI — new accounts get $10 of free credit after card verification.
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