Free OpenAI API Key (2026) — 13+ Legitimate Alternatives
There is no official free OpenAI API key in 2026. But there are 10 free GPT models from 5 legitimate providers. All require no credit card. Updated 2026-06-14.
Why There Is No Free OpenAI API Key
OpenAI removed all free API credits in 2024 and does not issue free production API keys as of 2026. Any website claiming to sell or give away "free OpenAI API keys" is almost certainly reselling leaked or shared credentials that will be revoked within hours.
However, there are 10 free GPT-compatible models from legitimate providers. The best option is GitHub Models, which gives every GitHub user free access to official GPT-5, GPT-4.1, GPT-4o, and o4-mini.
GitHub Models — Free GPT-5 & GPT-4.1 Access with No Credit Card
GitHub Models (github.com/marketplace/models) provides free access to official OpenAI GPT models for every GitHub user. Sign in with your GitHub account, pick a model, and get a free API key. No credit card required.
Free GPT Alternatives — Open-Weight Models via Groq, Cerebras & More
Beyond GitHub Models, these providers host free GPT-style (gpt-oss) open-weight models:
OpenRouter — 2 free models
| Model | Context | Rate Limit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| gpt-oss-120b (free) | 131K | 200 req/day (free tier) | Get key → |
| gpt-oss-20b (free) | 131K | 200 req/day (free tier) | Get key → |
Cerebras — 1 free model
| Model | Context | Rate Limit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| gpt-oss-120b | 128K | 30 RPM, 14,400 RPD, 1M TPD | Get key → |
LLM7.io — 1 free model
| Model | Context | Rate Limit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| gpt-4o-mini | 131K | 30 RPM (120 with token) | Get key → |
Ollama Cloud — 1 free model
| Model | Context | Rate Limit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| gpt-oss:120b-cloud | 128K | Session/weekly limits (unpublished) | Get key → |
Frequently Asked Questions — Free OpenAI API Key
Is there a free OpenAI API key in 2026?
No. OpenAI removed all free API credits in 2024 and does not issue free production keys. Any site offering "free OpenAI API keys" is reselling shared or leaked keys that will rate-limit within hours. However, there are 13+ free GPT models from 6 legitimate providers on this page.
What is the best free alternative to OpenAI API?
GitHub Models is the best free alternative — it officially hosts GPT-5, GPT-4.1, GPT-4o, and o4-mini for free with every GitHub account. No credit card needed. For open-weight GPT models, Groq and Cerebras offer fast, free inference.
Can I use free GPT-5 without paying?
Yes. GitHub Models provides free access to GPT-5 with a GitHub account. Rate limits apply (10 RPM, 50 RPD) but it is legitimate and free — no credit card required.
Are free GPT API keys safe to use?
Only use keys from legitimate providers listed on this page: GitHub Models, Groq, Cerebras, LLM7.io, Ollama Cloud, and OpenRouter. Avoid "free OpenAI API key" generators or shared key marketplaces — they are almost always leaked/stolen keys that Google Cloud or Azure will revoke.
Where can I find free GPT models for my app?
10 free GPT-style models are available across 5 providers. GitHub Models has the official GPT-5, GPT-4.1, GPT-4o, and o4-mini. Groq and Cerebras host gpt-oss open-weight models with very fast inference. All are accessible via OpenAI-compatible APIs.