Can I use openAI API with the free account?

[a.kasiri.97]

I have free open AI account and I want to use the API and I got the API key

1. I do not know the API key that I took is for which model ? how I can understand that??
2. can I use the API key without paying for test or I should pay for it ???

[mitchell_d00]

To identify which model your OpenAI API key is associated with, you will need to check your usage through OpenAI’s platform. When you access the API, you specify the model you want to use (like GPT-4, GPT-3.5, or others) in the API request. If you’re unsure about the model, you can visit your API dashboard where it will show which models you’ve used and the corresponding usage data.

Here are some links that may help.

API Access using free tier

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. Nevertheless, after creating a new API key and setting up a sample .NET project, I’m getting a “You exceeded your current quota” exception, yet I’ve not reached any of the limits stated on that document…

OpenAI API Pricing: How Much Does It Cost? (03/2024)

Regarding testing the API without payment, OpenAI used to offer free credits (around $18) for new accounts, which could be used to explore the API. However, this program has been discontinued for most users unless you are part of a specific promotional program. Now, to test the API, you will need to add payment details and purchase at least $5 worth of credits. This allows for a “pay-as-you-go” system, so you only pay for what you use​.

You can test basic features of OpenAI’s models without writing your own API code using the OpenAI Playground. This is a no-code environment where you can experiment with models like GPT-4, GPT-3.5, and others.

https://platform.openai.com/playground/chat

This is old but still useful for past reference.
https://openai.com/index/openai-api/

[mitchell_d00]

And welcome I just noticed this is your first post.

[razvan.i.savin]

@mitchell_d00

testing the API without payment, OpenAI used to offer free credits (around $18) for new accounts, which could be used to explore the API. However, this program has been discontinued for most users unless you are part of a specific promotional program. Now, to test the API, you will need to add payment details and purchase at least $5 worth of credits. This allows for a “pay-as-you-go” system, so you only pay for what you use​.

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Well, if OpenAI were really nice, they could allow those $18 to be used after you generate your first API key, not 1-2 years ago for 1 month…

They do not like new clients, Azure offer thousands of credits to get new clients and OpenAI… They just focus on releasing new betas for stock prices to keep them up… I wonder why they do not focus on long term → probably that is the end game.

All board left, Captain Altman sink with the ship → or sell it to Microsoft. Could be interesting puzzle, I should do an AI to solve it

Or maybe I am wrong, or not

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[pike0002]

Hmm, the payground is costing and not free as wel…

[_j]

You are correct.

There is no “free account”. The only aspect of free is just that making a login is free. (unless you are in a country with banking where the $5 bankcard authorization when adding payment method gets processed as a payment and never refunded or credited to you).

There’s only an “unfunded” account, unable to pay for services on the API, including the playground being billed to your account just as any regular API call.

You will need to purchase non-refundable, expiring credits in order to use services. The initial purchase immediately turning money into a non-money game credit form.