How to use free AI models with OpenRouter
OpenRouter is a single API that routes to hundreds of models from every major lab. One key, one endpoint, and you change models by typing a different model name.
Why use this?
- One key covers every lab. Swap between Claude, GPT, Gemini, Llama, Mistral and Qwen by changing the model name, no new signups
- A large catalogue of genuinely free models, enough to run SCM without spending anything
- No markup on inference. You pay the same per-token price the lab charges
- When a model is deprecated or a provider goes down, OpenRouter routes around it. Your task keeps running
- Full control in SCM over temperature and timeout, which the subscription integrations do not expose
Notes
Free models are rate limited, not unlimited.
- 50 requests a day on a fresh account
- 1,000 requests a day once you have bought $10 of credits at any point
- New accounts get a small allowance to test with
There is no markup on inference, but buying credits costs 5.5% via card, minimum $0.80, or 5% via crypto.
Buying $10 once is the practical move. It lifts free models from 50 to 1,000 requests a day and the credit does not expire.
Where to get OpenRouter
OpenRouter:
How to connect OpenRouter to SCM
Settings > API Logins > AI > OpenRouter
You will need to grab an API key too and paste it in.
Now press ‘Test service’ to verify it works.
How to use OpenRouter as an agent in SEO Workspace
OpenRouter can be selected as an Agent, all models that can’t call tools are automatically removed.
Just select OpenRouter, then a model.
Test
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How to use OpenRouter to generate articles
The Page pipeline has OpenRouter as well. More models will be available as they don’t need to act as Agents.
Full models available.
List can be updated on demand, you don’t need to wait for SCM update.
OpenRouter can be a great way to test new models, especially stealth models that aren’t tied to a company yet.
If you read it in the news ie ‘stealth/ox-alpha’ the quickest place for it to appear is on OpenRouter.