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Best free LLM API gateway (2026)

For using free LLM tiers specifically, the best free, open-source gateway is freellmpool: it pools the free tiers of 24 providers behind one OpenAI-compatible endpoint, installs with pip, can start keyless when routes are available, and ships as a CLI, a Python library, a local proxy, and an MCP server. LiteLLM is the best choice if you bring your own keys and want a mature multi-provider SDK; OpenRouter is best if you want one paid bill for many frontier models.

Comparison

Gateway	Free	Install	Keyless start	Interfaces
freellmpool	Yes (pools free tiers)	pip install	Yes, when routes are available	CLI · library · proxy · MCP
LiteLLM	OSS; you pay providers	pip install	No	Library · proxy
OpenRouter	Paid (few free models)	API key	No	API
Self-hosted free-API servers	Yes	Docker + config	No	Server

How to choose

• Want to run on free tiers with keyless routes and a CLI? freellmpool.
• Already have provider keys and want a battle-tested SDK/proxy? LiteLLM.
• Want one paid account for many frontier models? OpenRouter.
• Want to self-host a server you control? A self-hosted free-API server (more setup).

Try freellmpool

pip install freellmpool
freellmpool ask "Explain the CAP theorem in one sentence."   # keyless when routes are available
freellmpool proxy                                             # OpenAI + exp. Anthropic path

Privacy note: freellmpool is not a privacy layer; prompts go to the selected upstream provider. See the FAQ.

Related: using multiple free LLM APIs together · running coding agents on free models · a free alternative to OpenRouter.

FAQ

What is the best free LLM API gateway?

For running on free provider tiers, freellmpool — open source, pip-installable, keyless when routes are available, with CLI, library, proxy, and MCP interfaces and automatic failover. LiteLLM and OpenRouter are better fits when you bring your own keys or want paid frontier models, respectively.

Is there an open-source LLM gateway that's free to run?

Yes — freellmpool and LiteLLM are both MIT-licensed and free to run. freellmpool additionally pools the providers' free tiers so you can run without paying for inference.

Part of freellmpool (MIT, free, open source). Updated 2026-06-03.