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Three Ways to Use AI Models: Your Own Key, Direct Connections, OpenRouter
Soniva's AI chat, translation and AI bake-off can use models from many providers. The same model can cost different amounts depending on how it's reached. This page explains the three options so you can pick the cheapest one.
Soniva's AI chat, translation and AI bake-off can use models from many providers. The same model can cost different amounts depending on how it's reached. This page explains the three options so you can pick the cheapest one.
Checked on 2026-10-15. Exact prices are in the AI model credit rates.
1. At a glance
| Option | Models | How you pay | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your own API key | The provider you added a key for | The provider bills you directly at its own price; Soniva charges no credits | Cheapest |
| Soniva credits · direct | DeepSeek, Alibaba Cloud Model Studio (Qwen and others), Volcengine Ark (Doubao and others), Zhipu GLM | The provider's list price, converted to credits | List price |
| Soniva credits · via OpenRouter | OpenAI (GPT), Google (Gemini), Anthropic (Claude), xAI (Grok) | The provider's list price, converted to credits, plus 5.5% | 5.5% above list price |
In short: add your own key when you can; with credits, direct models cost list price and OpenRouter models cost 5.5% more.
2. Why OpenRouter models cost 5.5% more
- Soniva reaches GPT, Gemini, Claude and Grok through OpenRouter, an international model marketplace.
- OpenRouter charges the same model prices as the providers themselves, with no markup, but it takes a 5.5% fee when credits are added to the account (card and Alipay alike).
- That 5.5% is a real cost, so it is included in these models' credit prices. The rates page shows the exact figure for each model.
For the same model, a direct connection is always cheaper than going through a marketplace. That's why Soniva uses the providers' own APIs for DeepSeek, Qwen, Doubao and GLM, never OpenRouter:
| The same DeepSeek model | What you pay |
|---|---|
| Soniva, direct to DeepSeek | DeepSeek's list price |
| If it went through OpenRouter | List price + 5.5% fee, and it may actually be served by a third-party host rather than DeepSeek itself |
3. Your own API key (cheapest)
- Requests go through your own account and the provider bills you at its own price. Soniva charges no credits.
- Many providers give new accounts free allowances (Alibaba Cloud Model Studio, Volcengine Ark and Zhipu all do). Your own key lets you use them.
- For GPT, Gemini and Claude you can also add your own OpenRouter key: usage comes out of your own OpenRouter balance and Soniva charges no credits.
- Your own key isn't affected by the rate limits on Soniva's shared accounts. See Provider concurrency and rate limits.
Where to add it: Settings → Studio → AI Chat (or Translation) → pick the brand → expand "API Key". The "Get key" link next to the field opens that provider's console.
4. Which one to pick
| Your situation | Suggestion |
|---|---|
| You already have an account with a provider, or want its free allowance | Your own key |
| You'd rather not sign up everywhere and mostly use Chinese models | Credits · direct |
| You need GPT / Gemini / Claude and can't pay international providers | Credits · via OpenRouter |
| You use GPT / Gemini / Claude heavily | Open your own OpenRouter account and add its key |
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