Google AI Studio ↗
Experiment with Gemini models and take your first idea from prompt to prototype.
Free tier
FREEAI GO · INDEPENDENT DIRECTORY
Free AI APIs for developers
Compare hosted free tiers with local inference. Rate limits, data-use terms, and model eligibility are part of the decision.
Choose an API for a small prototype
AI Studio, Groq, OpenRouter, and Workers AI have different free-tier rules. Verify that your selected model is included and whether a billing account is required. Keep keys on your server and set usage limits before exposing an endpoint.
Local inference is another trade-off
Ollama can run compatible models on your own machine. That removes a hosted per-request bill for local runs, but it still requires hardware, memory, and power. Benchmark your own workload before choosing.
Comparison based on linked official documentation. Each tool page lists its review date and source.