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 โ even a small one โ or the tokens wonโt 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 โ 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 โบ 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?
OpenAI Developer Community
community.openai.com โบ 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 shouโฆ
Videos
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GitHub
github.com โบ dan1471 โบ 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 3.1K users
Forked by 361 users
Apidog
apidog.com โบ blog โบ 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 OpenAIโs 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 โบ r/n8n โบ 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 โ even a small one โ or the tokens wonโt 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 โ 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.
OpenAI Developer Community
community.openai.com โบ 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 usedโฆ
How-To Geek
howtogeek.com โบ home โบ cutting edge โบ 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.
OpenAI Developer Community
community.openai.com โบ 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 Iโve 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 โบ tutorials โบ free-unlimited-openai-api
Free, Unlimited OpenAI API
4 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 โบ blog โบ how-to-get-openai-api-key-free-2025
Complete Guide to OpenAI API Access: Free Trials, Alternatives & Cost-Effective Solutions 2025 - Cursor IDE ๅๅฎข
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....
AI Free API
aifreeapi.com โบ en โบ posts โบ 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:
Architjn
architjn.com โบ blog โบ 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: ๐ API Free Token Announcement
Apidog
apidog.com โบ blog โบ 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 โบ 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 donโt have a card linked here either
FastGPTPlus
fastgptplus.com โบ en โบ posts โบ 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.
AI Free API
aifreeapi.com โบ en โบ posts โบ 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 โบ home โบ 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.
ReelMind
reelmind.ai โบ blog โบ openai-api-key-free-credit-empowering-ai-creators
OpenAI API Key Free Credit: Empowering AI Creators | ReelMind
October 5, 2025 - The accessibility of powerful AI tools has transitioned from a niche privilege to a foundational element for creative industries Source: Forrester AI Trends Report 2025. Central to this democratization is the concept of OpenAI API Key Free Credit: Empowering AI Creators.
Tenorshare
ai.tenorshare.com โบ ai-analytics โบ openai-api-key-free.html
How To Get A Free Openai Api Key In 2026: A Step-By-Step Guide
3 weeks ago - It charges you every time you make an API call but gives you a seed credit of $5 when you first sign into the system, valid for three months. You must pay to make API calls once you have spent this amount or have passed three months.