[ NanoGPT Alternatives ]
NanoGPT is one of the best known pay per use AI services. It already takes Monero and has a Tor onion API. People who compare it with SilentAPI usually want I2P as well, or API keys that each have their own budget.
SilentAPI vs NanoGPT
| Feature | SilentAPI | NanoGPT |
|---|---|---|
| Type | API and web chat | API and web chat |
| API | Yes. OpenAI, Anthropic, and Gemini request formats | Yes, OpenAI compatible |
| Models | 39 chat models, including GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Qwen, Kimi, GLM, MiniMax, and Mistral | 1,000+ models, including GPT, Claude, and Gemini |
| Other services | Image, video, speech, transcription, music, embeddings, OCR, vision, moderation, and IP and email lookups | Image, video, and audio |
| Signup | Username and password. No email, no phone, no KYC | No account required (a generated user ID) |
| Payment | Crypto through NowPayments, or a direct Monero deposit. Payments are anonymized, so your wallet can not be tied to your account | Crypto, including Nano and Monero, and card |
| Monero | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing | Prepaid credits (1 credit = $0.01). Pay per request, no subscription | Text models at list price, with no deposit fees. Optional subscription |
| Prompt logging | SilentAPI does not keep your prompts or outputs. Providers do not see your IP address, and they can not link a request to your account. Many models use zero data retention routes | Chats stay on your device by default. Zero data retention is best effort |
| Tor and I2P | Yes. Website and API on Tor and I2P | Tor onion API. No I2P |
Sources: NanoGPT API and Tor, NanoGPT pricing, NanoGPT privacy, NanoGPT privacy guide.
Choose SilentAPI if
- You want private AI chat and an API on one account
- You want to pay with Monero or anonymized crypto
- You use Tor or I2P
- You want image, speech, OCR, and lookup APIs on the same balance
Choose NanoGPT if
- You want no account at all, not even a username
- You only need chat models and want list price text models
Why people look for NanoGPT alternatives
- You want I2P access as well as Tor
- You want several API keys, each with its own budget and expiry date
- You want OCR, vision, moderation, and lookup APIs on the same balance
- You want automatic fallback to the next compatible route when a model fails
The 7 best NanoGPT alternatives
1. SilentAPI
Best for private AI chat and API use with crypto, Monero, Tor, and I2P.
SilentAPI is the most complete private option on this list. One account gives you a private web chat and one API key for 39 chat models, plus image, video, speech, music, OCR, vision, and lookup APIs on the same balance. You sign up with a username only. Crypto payments are anonymized, so your wallet can not be tied to your account, and Monero works through direct deposits. The website, the chat, and the API all run on Tor and I2P. SilentAPI does not keep your prompts or outputs, and the model providers can not see who sent a request. A failed route falls back to the next compatible route.
2. OpenRouter
Best for the largest model catalog with card billing.
One API for hundreds of models. It needs an account and adds a 5.5% fee on card purchases and a 5% fee on crypto. No Monero.
3. PayPerQ
Best for pay per query with no signup and encrypted hardware chat.
Pay per query chat and API with Bitcoin, Lightning, Litecoin, and Monero payments, no signup, and chat in encrypted hardware (TEE).
4. Venice.ai
Best for a private consumer chat app with a free tier.
Private chat app and API. Chats stay in your browser, and requests are relayed without storage. It takes card, Bitcoin for plans, USDC wallet credits, and VVV staking, but not Monero.
5. Tinfoil
Best for open models in verifiable secure hardware, paid by card.
Private chat and an OpenAI compatible API that run open models in secure enclaves. Email or Google sign in, card only, and higher token prices than SilentAPI on shared models.
6. Duck.ai
Best for free private chat in the browser.
Free private chat by DuckDuckGo. Your IP address is removed before prompts reach the model provider. No public API.
7. Proton Lumo
Best for Proton users who want encrypted chat history.
Private chat by Proton with a no logs policy and zero access encryption. Open source models in European data centers. No public API.
How to switch from NanoGPT to SilentAPI
SilentAPI uses the OpenAI request format, and it also accepts the Anthropic and Gemini formats. In most apps you change two values: the base URL and the API key. Then change the model names to the SilentAPI model IDs from the services page.
Create one key per project, and set a monthly budget and an expiry date on each key. Credits are prepaid, so a key can never spend more than your balance.
When NanoGPT is the better choice
NanoGPT has a very large model list, no account at all, and list price text models. If you only need chat models and want no account, it is a strong choice.
How we compared
We compared each service on the points that matter for private AI chat and API use: signup, payment, Monero, logging, Tor and I2P access, and model range. We read each service's own pricing, privacy, terms, and documentation pages on October 6, 2026, and we link those pages under each table.
Found a fact that is out of date? Contact us.
Questions
Does SilentAPI work over Tor like NanoGPT?
Yes. The SilentAPI website and API both run on Tor, and also on I2P.
Which NanoGPT alternatives accept Monero?
SilentAPI accepts Monero through direct deposits. PayPerQ also accepts it.
Is there a NanoGPT alternative with API key budgets?
SilentAPI lets you create one key per project, with a monthly budget and an expiry date on each key.