---
slug: "openrouter"
name: "OpenRouter"
effect: "Routes requests to hundreds of models across providers through one OpenAI-compatible API endpoint"
category: "model-api"
url: "https://openrouter.ai"
github: null
pricing: "paid"
license: "Proprietary hosted service"
tags: ["router", "unified-api", "openai-compatible", "multi-provider", "fallbacks", "hosted"]
platforms: []
install_kind: "pip"
date_added: "2026-10-14"
drop_score: 57
stars: null
pushed_at: null
signals_status: "missing"
signals_fetched_at: null
page: "https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/openrouter"
---

# OpenRouter

Routes requests to hundreds of models across providers through one OpenAI-compatible API endpoint

Category: Models and APIs. Pricing: Paid. License: Proprietary hosted service.

## Why you would want it

OpenRouter exposes hundreds of models behind a single `/api/v1/chat/completions` endpoint, handles fallbacks automatically and picks the most cost-effective provider for each request. Existing OpenAI SDK code works by pointing the base URL at OpenRouter, and there are also typed client SDKs for TypeScript and Python plus an Agent SDK. It passes through provider pricing without markup, charges a fee when you buy credits, and supports bringing your own provider keys.

## Best for

- Switching between models without code changes
- Comparing models from many providers
- Apps that need provider fallbacks

## Use it when

You want one API key and one endpoint for models from many providers, with routing and fallbacks handled for you.

## Skip it if

You only use one provider and already have direct access. Usage is billed through prepaid credits, with a fee on credit purchases and on bring-your-own-key usage above the free allowance.

## Install

Install the Python SDK:

```sh
pip install openrouter
```

Source: https://openrouter.ai/docs/quickstart

## Live signals

No public repository, so no GitHub signals.

## Links

- Website: https://openrouter.ai
- Install instructions verified at: https://openrouter.ai/docs/quickstart
- Source for this entry: https://openrouter.ai/docs/quickstart
- AgentToolDrop page: https://agenttooldrop.com/tools/openrouter
- Full catalog (JSON): https://agenttooldrop.com/tools.json