11 entries · updated Oct 21, 2026

What changed. Every free-tier move, dated.

Cuts, restrictions, retirements and new free offers, each tied to an official source. “First observed” is the state on our first check — the provider's own change date isn't verified.

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October 2026

Data flag

SambaNova: official pages disagree on whether a card is needed

Rate-limit docs define a Free Tier (20 RPM / 20 RPD / 200K TPD per model) 'when there is no payment method linked', but the Plans page says to add a payment method and buy credits to run your first requests. We mark card requirement as unverified.

docs.sambanova.ai/docs/en/models/rate-limits (opens in new tab)
Baseline

OpenRouter: 17 free models, 50 → 1,000 requests/day with ≥10 credits

Public models API lists 17 ':free' variants (Nemotron 3, Gemma 4, North Mini Code, Laguna, Inkling…). Free usage limits: 20 RPM; 50 RPD under 10 purchased credits, 1,000 RPD at 10+.

openrouter.ai/docs/api-reference/limits (opens in new tab)
Data flag

DeepInfra: no sign-up credit (despite third-party claims)

Pricing page: 'You have to add a card or pre-pay or you won't be able to use our services.' Lists claiming $5 free credits are not backed by an official source.

deepinfra.com/pricing (opens in new tab)
Clarification

Gemini app goes Flash-Lite-only for free users — the API free tier is separate

Google's consumer Gemini app limited free accounts to Flash-Lite from 9 Oct 2026. This does not change the Gemini API: on 21 Oct the API pricing page still lists Gemini 3.8 Flash, 3.6 Flash, 2.5 Pro and others as 'Free of charge' on the Free tier.

ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/pricing (opens in new tab)

July 2026