Compare a flat monthly chat subscription against the equivalent API usage and find the break-even point where one overtakes the other.
One "request" is one back-and-forth turn. Note that in a long conversation the whole history is resent each turn, so later turns cost more than early ones.
Prices and tools change. The model prices behind this tool were last checked on 20 July 2026. Providers revise their rates, rename models and retire tiers regularly, so treat every figure here as an estimate and confirm the current price with the provider before you commit to a budget. See our model pricing table and sources.
Estimates only. These tools run entirely in your browser — nothing you type is sent to us or stored anywhere. They are simplified models of how AI providers bill, and they exclude cached-input discounts, batch rates, image and audio tokens, taxes and minimum commitments. They are general information, not procurement or financial advice.
A consumer chat subscription is a flat monthly fee for an app with a generous but capped allowance. API access is metered: you pay per token, with no floor and no ceiling. Underneath, both are usually serving you the same family of models. The question is purely which billing shape fits your usage.
Because a subscription is fixed and API cost is linear in usage, there is always a crossover point. Below it the API is cheaper; above it the subscription is. This tool finds that point in requests per month, so you can compare it against what you actually do rather than what you imagine you might.
Most individuals are surprised by how high the break-even is. If your usage looks like a few dozen conversations a month, metered API access often costs a couple of dollars — a fraction of a subscription. Heavy daily users tip the other way, and once you are past the crossover the subscription's fixed price also removes any risk of a runaway bill.
Cost is rarely the whole decision. A subscription buys a finished product: an interface, file uploads, voice, image generation, apps on your phone, and no keys to manage. The API buys raw access — you or someone you work with has to build the interface around it. If you would end up rebuilding the chat app to use the API, the subscription is usually the better deal even past break-even.
The reverse is also true. If you want the model inside your own software, running unattended, or processing a queue of documents overnight, no subscription covers that and the API is the only option. Our guide to what AI actually costs walks through the trade-offs in full.
USD per 1,000,000 tokens. Last verified 20 July 2026. These figures are maintained by hand and will drift — verify with the provider before budgeting.
| Model | Input / 1M | Output / 1M |
|---|---|---|
| Anthropic | ||
| Claude Fable 5 | $10.00 | $50.00 |
| Claude Opus 4.8 | $5.00 | $25.00 |
| Claude Sonnet 5 | $3.00 | $15.00 |
| Claude Haiku 4.5 | $1.00 | $5.00 |
| OpenAI | ||
| GPT-5.6 Sol | $5.00 | $30.00 |
| GPT-5.6 Terra | $2.50 | $15.00 |
| GPT-5.6 Luna | $1.00 | $6.00 |
| GPT-5.4 mini | $0.75 | $4.50 |
| GPT-5.4 nano | $0.20 | $1.25 |
| Gemini 3.1 Pro | $2.00 | $12.00 |
| Gemini 3.5 Flash | $1.50 | $9.00 |
| Gemini 3 Flash | $0.50 | $3.00 |
| Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite | $0.25 | $1.50 |
Sources: OpenAI API pricing · Anthropic (Claude) pricing · Google Gemini API pricing