# OpenRouter vs Groq API

Page: https://free-web-services.com/compare/openrouter-vs-groq/

| | [OpenRouter](https://free-web-services.com/web-services/ai/llm/openrouter.md) | [Groq API](https://free-web-services.com/web-services/ai/llm/groq-api.md) |
|---|---|---|
| Category | AI models and chat | AI models and chat |
| API key | Needed, free | Needed, free |
| Pricing | Free models are limited to 20 requests per minute and 50 per day, or 1,000 per day once you have bought at least 10 credits; other models are paid per token. | Free plan with a free API key and rate limits per model; paid plans for higher limits. |
| From the browser | Yes (CORS) | Yes (CORS) |
| Formats | JSON | JSON |
| Interface | REST, MCP | REST, MCP |
| Provider | openrouter.ai | console.groq.com |
| Last checked | Not stated | Working on November 1st, 2026 |
| MCP server | Yes, official | Yes, official |

## Which one to choose

OpenRouter puts hundreds of models from many providers behind one OpenAI-compatible API; its free models are limited to 50 requests a day, or 1,000 a day once you have bought at least 10 credits. Groq runs a smaller set of open models on its own hardware, with a free plan and rate limits per model. Choose OpenRouter to try and switch between many models, Groq when you want fast answers from an open model.