[ Proton Lumo Alternatives ]
Proton Lumo is the private chat assistant from Proton, with a no logs policy and encrypted chat history. It runs open source models only, and it has no API. If you need GPT, Claude, or Gemini, or you want to build on an API, you need a different service.
SilentAPI vs Proton Lumo
| Feature | SilentAPI | Proton Lumo |
|---|---|---|
| Type | API and web chat | Web and app chat |
| API | Yes. OpenAI, Anthropic, and Gemini request formats | No |
| Models | 39 chat models, including GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Qwen, Kimi, GLM, MiniMax, and Mistral | Open source models in Proton data centers in Europe |
| Other services | Image, video, speech, transcription, music, embeddings, OCR, vision, moderation, and IP and email lookups | Chat only |
| Signup | Username and password. No email, no phone, no KYC | None for the free tier. A Proton account saves encrypted history |
| Payment | Crypto through NowPayments, or a direct Monero deposit. Payments are anonymized, so your wallet can not be tied to your account | Proton plans |
| Monero | Yes | No |
| Pricing | Prepaid credits (1 credit = $0.01). Pay per request, no subscription | Free tier, or Lumo Plus at 12.99 per month (9.99 per month on a yearly plan) |
| 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 | No logs policy. Saved chats use zero access encryption and are not used for training |
| Tor and I2P | Yes. Website and API on Tor and I2P | No |
Sources: Lumo pricing, Lumo launch post, Lumo privacy.
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 Proton Lumo if
- You already use Proton and want encrypted chat history
- You only need chat with open source models hosted in Europe
Why people look for Proton Lumo alternatives
- There is no public API for apps, scripts, or agents
- Only open source models are available, not GPT, Claude, or Gemini
- Paid access is a subscription, and Monero is not accepted
- There is no Lumo onion or I2P address
The 7 best Proton Lumo 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. 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.
4. 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).
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
How to switch from Proton Lumo 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 Proton Lumo is the better choice
Lumo comes from Proton, with a strong no logs policy and encrypted chat history. If you already use Proton and only need chat, it fits well.
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 a Proton Lumo alternative with an API?
Yes. SilentAPI, NanoGPT, and PayPerQ all have an OpenAI compatible API.
Is there a Lumo alternative with GPT, Claude, and Gemini?
SilentAPI offers GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and other frontier models through one key.
Is there a Lumo alternative I can pay with Monero?
SilentAPI accepts Monero through direct deposits. NanoGPT and PayPerQ also accept it.