[ OpenRouter Alternatives ]
OpenRouter is the big name for reaching many models through one API. To use it you need an account, and every top up carries a fee (5.5% by card, 5% with crypto). There is no Monero option and no Tor address, which is why privacy users often look elsewhere.
SilentAPI vs OpenRouter
| Feature | SilentAPI | OpenRouter |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Hundreds of models, including closed models from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google |
| Other services | Image, video, speech, transcription, music, embeddings, OCR, vision, moderation, and IP and email lookups | Image, video, speech, embeddings, and reranking |
| Signup | Username and password. No email, no phone, no KYC | Account required |
| Payment | Crypto through NowPayments, or a direct Monero deposit. Payments are anonymized, so your wallet can not be tied to your account | Card, AliPay, and crypto |
| Monero | Yes | No |
| Pricing | Prepaid credits (1 credit = $0.01). Pay per request, no subscription | Provider prices, plus a 5.5% fee on card purchases ($0.80 minimum) and a 5% fee on crypto purchases |
| 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 | Request metadata is logged. Prompts are not logged unless you opt in. Zero data retention routing is available |
| Tor and I2P | Yes. Website and API on Tor and I2P | No |
Sources: OpenRouter FAQ, OpenRouter privacy policy, OpenRouter terms.
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 OpenRouter if
- You need a rare model that only a very large catalog carries
- Your team wants card billing and many providers for each model
Why people look for OpenRouter alternatives
- You must create an account before you can get an API key
- Each credit purchase adds a fee: 5.5% by card and 5% with crypto
- Monero is not accepted
- There is no Tor or I2P address
- Request metadata such as timestamps, model, and token counts is logged
The 7 best OpenRouter 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. NanoGPT
Best for the largest pay per use model list with no account.
Pay per use chat and API with 1,000+ models, no account, crypto and Monero payments, and an official Tor onion API.
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 OpenRouter 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 OpenRouter is the better choice
OpenRouter has one of the largest model catalogs. If you need a rare model that other services do not carry, or your team wants card billing with many providers per model, it is the better 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
Is there an OpenRouter alternative that accepts Monero?
Yes. SilentAPI accepts Monero through direct deposits. NanoGPT and PayPerQ also accept Monero.
Is there an OpenRouter alternative without an account?
SilentAPI needs only a username and password, with no email. NanoGPT and PayPerQ work with no account at all.
Can I switch from OpenRouter without changing my code?
In most cases, yes. SilentAPI uses the OpenAI request format, so you change the base URL, the API key, and the model names.