If you're trying to explore AI + n8n without spending much (or anything), here's what actually works right now: OpenAI still provides free tokens if you enable "share data for training" in your settings. Just make sure your account has a positive balance — even a small one — or the tokens won’t apply. OpenRouter has a bunch of models you can use without an API key. You can send HTTP requests directly from n8n. Models like LLaMA, DeepSeek, MythoMax, and others are available for free. Gemini API from Google gives free access to Gemini Flash (2.5). You can use it with an API key via Google AI Studio — generous daily limits and solid speed. Hugging Face offers some free inference credits if you're on a Pro plan. Not huge, but good enough for testing out flows. With this stack, you can already build working automations and demos without needing any paid API plans. Answer from IKDevMan on reddit.com
OpenAI Developer Community
community.openai.com › api
OpenAI API keys in free account - API - OpenAI Developer Community
September 3, 2023 - I have genertaed openai api keys in the free account. But these keys are not working. I got this error If keys does not give a few limits to use, what it is their purpose? Is there any possiblility to get some free API credits in free account just for testing purpose?
GitHub
github.com › dan1471 › FREE-openai-api-keys
GitHub - dan1471/FREE-openai-api-keys: collection for free openai keys to use in your projects
Welcome to the Free OpenAI API Keys repository!
Starred by 3.2K users
Forked by 366 users
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OpenAI Developer Community
community.openai.com › api
Can I use openAI API with the free account? - API - OpenAI Developer Community
October 13, 2024 - I have free open AI account and I want to use the API and I got the API key I do not know the API key that I took is for which model ? how I can understand that?? can I use the API key without paying for test or I shou…
OpenAI Developer Community
community.openai.com › api
Issue with Receiving Free Credit on OpenAI Account - API - OpenAI Developer Community
March 20, 2024 - I created an OpenAI account but did not receive the $5 free credit. The phone number I used is clean, meaning it is not associated with any other account. I am 100% certain of this. Additionally, the email address I used…
Apidog
apidog.com › blog › openai-api-key-free
How to Use OpenAI API Key for Free in 2025
October 19, 2025 - The most reliable method to obtain an openai key is by using OpenAI’s official free trial or free tier. OpenAI often provides new users with trial credits, giving you a free openai api key for initial experiments.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/n8n › how can i benefit from the free api credits from openai?
r/n8n on Reddit: How can I benefit from the free API credits from OpenAI?
April 21, 2025 -
Hey guys - I know that there was (sometime ago) the possibility of getting your hands on some free credits for OpenAI api. I want to start working with n8n and I'm quite strapped for cash now.
I haven't seen any kind of new offers on the OpenAI chat and I was wondering if the promos are off the table or are available in some dark corner of the internet?
Thanks!
EDIT: Thank you all for your great inputs!
Top answer 1 of 10
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If you're trying to explore AI + n8n without spending much (or anything), here's what actually works right now: OpenAI still provides free tokens if you enable "share data for training" in your settings. Just make sure your account has a positive balance — even a small one — or the tokens won’t apply. OpenRouter has a bunch of models you can use without an API key. You can send HTTP requests directly from n8n. Models like LLaMA, DeepSeek, MythoMax, and others are available for free. Gemini API from Google gives free access to Gemini Flash (2.5). You can use it with an API key via Google AI Studio — generous daily limits and solid speed. Hugging Face offers some free inference credits if you're on a Pro plan. Not huge, but good enough for testing out flows. With this stack, you can already build working automations and demos without needing any paid API plans.
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Openrouter has a lot of free models you can try out.
Architjn
architjn.com › blog › free-openai-api-credits-how-to-get-and-use
Free OpenAI API Credits: Get & Use Guide
March 24, 2025 - If your organization relies on GPT-powered AI, now is the perfect time to opt in and maximize free credits before the program ends in April 2025. For more details, check OpenAI's latest updates: 👉 API Free Token Announcement
OpenAI Developer Community
community.openai.com › api
API Access using free tier - API - OpenAI Developer Community
April 8, 2024 - Greetings. I would like to test and evaluate OpenAI GPT API for a project, and I’ve found about the free API tier here https://platform.openai.com/docs/guides/rate-limits?context=tier-free , which supposedly allows for a very limited access of 3 requests per minute to the older 3.5 Turbo model.
Puter
developer.puter.com › tutorials › free-unlimited-openai-api
Free, Unlimited OpenAI API
5 days ago - That's it! You now have a free alternative to the OpenAI API using Puter.js. This allows you to access GPT-5.2, GPT-5.1, GPT-5, GPT-4o, o4, o3-mini, o1-mini, and DALL-E capabilities without needing an API key or a backend.
Cursor IDE
cursor-ide.com › blog › how-to-get-openai-api-key-free-2025
Complete Guide to OpenAI API Access: Free Trials, Alternatives & Cost-Effective Solutions 2025 - Cursor IDE 博客
August 21, 2025 - If you're searching for how to ... careful understanding to use effectively. Here's what OpenAI actually offers new users: a $5 trial credit that expires after three months....
How-To Geek
howtogeek.com › home › cutting edge › how to get an openai api key
How to Get an OpenAI API Key
August 20, 2023 - Lots of applications and AI tools now require you bring your own OpenAI API key. You can generate one on OpenAI's website, and it comes with $5 of free credit.
AI Free API
aifreeapi.com › en › posts › openai-api-key-how-to-get
How to Get OpenAI API Key: Complete 2025 Guide with $5 Free Credits - Get OpenAI API Key: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners (2025) | AI Free API
July 16, 2025 - Never share or expose your API key publicly! As of 2025, OpenAI provides new users with $5 in free credits:
Apidog
apidog.com › blog › free-chatgpt-api-keys
How to Get Free ChatGPT API Keys
April 3, 2025 - While OpenAI does provide some initial free credits to new users, it's technically not a completely free API in the long term. However, these initial credits allow you to explore the functionality without immediate costs, essentially providing ...
OpenAI Developer Community
community.openai.com › api
Open ai API key / token billing - API - OpenAI Developer Community
November 29, 2023 - I really just need someone to tell me already. Is this the free credits or is it going to bill me? I don’t have a card linked here either
FastGPTPlus
fastgptplus.com › en › posts › openai-api-key-free
How to Get OpenAI API Key for Free in 2025: Complete Guide & Alternatives | FastGPTPlus
August 21, 2025 - OpenAI discontinued their free $18 credit program in April 2023, meaning truly free API keys are no longer available for new users.
Dataaspirant
dataaspirant.com › home › how to get access to openai api keys: a step-by-step guide
How to Get Access to OpenAI API Keys: A Step-by-Step Guide
February 16, 2025 - Note: OpenAI often provides a free trial with credits, allowing you to explore their services before incurring charges. After setting up your account and billing, navigate to the API Keys section.
PuppyCoding
puppycoding.com › 2023 › 08 › 25 › openai-api-key-guide
Unofficial Guide to OpenAI API Keys – PuppyCoding
August 25, 2023 - You only need an API key if you’re a developer and you want to use OpenAI’s services (e.g. GPT, DALL-E, Whisper) within any programs you develop. API keys are free, but you use up credits each time you use them.
AI Free API
aifreeapi.com › en › posts › openai-api-key-free-2025
Free OpenAI API Keys in 2025: Complete Guide to No-Cost AI Access - Get Free OpenAI API Credits & Alternative Options for 2025 | AI Free API
January 16, 2025 - Q: Is OpenAI API completely free? A: No, but new users get $5 in free credits valid for 3 months.
Addepto
addepto.com › home › how do i use the openai api and find the api key? step by step guide for 2025
How to use OpenAI API and API Key? New Guide (2025) | Adeppto
October 21, 2025 - You can create an OpenAI API key for free. OpenAI API and get a feel of the technology without incurring any cost. During the free tier, you can make unlimited API requests and access a smaller selection of OpenAI API models.