Free LLM API: 22 Verified Providers Compared for 2026
Comprehensive comparison of 22 free LLM APIs in 2026. Compare rate limits, models, OpenAI compatibility, and Iran access. Find the best free large language model API for your project.
Quick answer: There are 22 verified free LLM API providers in 2026. The most popular options are GitHub Models (150 RPD, OpenAI-compatible), Google Gemini API (model-dependent free tier), and Groq (30 RPM, fastest inference). Each offers different models, rate limits, and regional availability.
Browse the full Free LLM API Catalog for the most up-to-date information.
What Makes an LLM API "Free"?
Different providers classify "free" differently:
| Type | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent quota | Ongoing free allowance | GitHub Models, Google Gemini, Groq |
| Free models | Specific models at no cost | OpenCode Zen, NVIDIA NIM, OVHcloud |
| Monthly credit | Free credits each month | Hugging Face ($0.10/mo), Fireworks AI, Vercel ($5/mo) |
| Trial | Time-limited evaluation | Cerebras (experimental), Cohere (trial) |
Free LLM API Rate Limits Comparison
| Provider | RPM | RPD | Concurrency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groq | 30 | 1000 | Variable |
| LLM7.io | 30 (anon) / 120 (token) | — | Variable |
| SiliconFlow | 30 | — | 60,000 TPM |
| SambaNova | 20 | 20 | — |
| GitHub Models | 15 | 150 | — |
| Agnes AI | 20 | — | — |
| Aion Labs | 15 | — | 20,000 TPM |
| OpenRouter | 20 | 50 | — |
| FreeTheAI | 10 | 250 | 1 (Tier 1) |
| Cerebras | 5 | — | 30,000 TPM |
Free LLM API for Persian Users
For Persian/Farsi language tasks, these providers offer strong performance:
- Mistral AI: Excellent multilingual support, direct Iran access
- Google Gemini API: Broad language coverage, not officially supported in Iran
- SambaNova Cloud: Verified direct Iran access, 20 RPD
- Kilo Gateway: Direct Iran access, 200 RPH
Free LLM APIs Without Credit Card
These providers let you start without entering payment information:
- Aion Labs, Cloudflare Workers AI, GitHub Models, Google Gemini, Groq, Hugging Face, Kilo Gateway, LLM7.io, Mistral AI, SambaNova Cloud, SiliconFlow
Providers that do require credit card or payment details:
- Cerebras (registration), Cohere (registration), Fireworks AI (registration), OpenRouter (registration), OpenCode Zen (billing details)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free LLM API?
GitHub Models offers the best overall balance with 150 RPD, OpenAI compatibility, and no credit card. Groq provides the fastest inference at 30 RPM. For Iranian users, Cloudflare Workers AI is the most reliable direct-access option.
How many free LLM APIs exist in 2026?
This catalog tracks 22 verified free LLM API providers. Of these, 9 are verified working from Iran (direct), 5 are blocked, and 5 have unknown Iran access status.
Are free LLM APIs OpenAI-compatible?
18 out of 22 providers in this catalog are OpenAI-compatible, meaning you can use the OpenAI SDK with a different base URL and API key. The main exceptions are Google Gemini API (requires its own SDK) and Cohere (dedicated API format).
What rate limits do free LLM APIs have?
Rate limits vary from 5 RPM (Cerebras) to 30 RPM (Groq, LLM7.io, SiliconFlow). Daily limits range from 20 RPD (SambaNova) to 250 RPD (FreeTheAI). Always check the specific provider page for current limits.
Can I use free LLM APIs for production?
Free tiers are suitable for prototyping, personal projects, and low-traffic applications. For production workloads, consider the provider's SLA, rate limits, and whether they reserve the right to change terms.
Quick Start Code Example
from openai import OpenAI
client = OpenAI(
api_key="YOUR_API_KEY",
base_url="https://models.inference.ai.azure.com", # GitHub Models
)
response = client.chat.completions.create(
model="gpt-4o-mini",
messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Which free LLM API should I use?"}],
)
print(response.choices[0].message.content)Related Guides
- Free AI API guide — complete overview of free AI APIs
- AI API Iran — providers verified working from Iran
- ChatGPT API alternatives — free alternatives to ChatGPT API
- Free GPT API no credit card — GPT access without payment
Compare All Providers
Browse the complete interactive catalog with filtering by capability, Iran access, free type, and OpenAI compatibility. Star the GitHub repository to support this project.
Summary
The free LLM API ecosystem in 2026 is diverse with 22 verified providers. GitHub Models and Google Gemini lead in accessibility. For Persian developers, direct-Iran providers like Cloudflare Workers AI, Mistral AI, and SambaNova Cloud are the most reliable choices. Always verify the latest status and limits before building.