How to Get Free API Credits: OpenAI, Anthropic & Cohere

A developer guide on acquiring free platform credits. Learn sandbox options, startup grants, and startup programs to run LLMs on a budget.

1. Setting Up Your AI Project Without Upfront Costs

Building an AI-powered SaaS product is exciting, but API costs can escalate rapidly during prototyping. One infinite loop in your code can drain a $50 credit balance in minutes.

Fortunately, major AI providers want developers building on their infrastructure, so they offer various programs to get you started with free platform credits. Here's a breakdown of how to claim them.

2. Top Credit Programs Available Today

OpenAI Startups & Grants

OpenAI partners with major venture capital firms, accelerators (like Y Combinator), and founders networks to distribute credits. If you are part of a startup hub, you can get between $2,500 and $25,000 in OpenAI API credits through their startup program.

Anthropic Founder Credits

Anthropic offers credits through Amazon Web Services (AWS Activate) and Google Cloud for Startups. Since Claude models run natively on AWS Bedrock and GCP Vertex AI, applying to AWS Activate can net you up to $100,000 in promotional credits which cover Claude API usage.

Cohere & Together AI Sandbox Tiers

Cohere offers a free developer tier for testing. Together AI offers $25 in free credits upon signup, which is enough to query millions of tokens on open-source models like Llama 3 and Mistral.

3. Step-by-Step Claim Strategy

1. Register your startup domain name and set up a professional landing page.
2. Join free founder programs like Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub (which offers up to $150k in Azure/OpenAI credits).
3. Apply to AWS Activate Founders program using your company website.
4. Link your keys to a proxy router (like Portkey or OpenRouter) to balance load between your different free pools.