API balances and subscriptions for AI developers: Claude API, Grok API, OpenRouter and Hugging Face
An AI chat subscription and API access are different products: the subscription buys a chat interface for a fixed monthly fee, while the API is billed by actual token usage from a balance on a developer account. Marketplace sellers offer the top-up as a service: you place an order, and the seller credits your account or settles the invoice on their side.
How API access differs from a subscription
Take Claude: the Pro and Max subscriptions cover chat-interface limits (compared in “Claude Pro vs Max”), while the Claude API is a separate balance in the Anthropic console that token usage is billed against. Agents, scripts and integrations need the API balance; a chat subscription does not replace it. For ready-made coding tools rather than a raw API, see AI tools for developers.
Claude API: an Anthropic balance top-up
Claude API — Anthropic balance top-up is not a Claude Pro subscription: the seller pays the console invoice on their side, and you issue the API key yourself. You need your own Anthropic account — the seller does not register them. After payment, send the unique code and your account email in the seller chat; an email confirmation code may be required. Sign-in details are shared — change your password once the balance arrives. Fulfilment is manual, within 12 hours, with a 7-day seller warranty.
Grok (xAI) API: a balance for the Grok models
Grok (xAI) API — balance top-up gives programmatic access to the Grok models; the amount is picked at checkout within the listed range. After payment, hand over the unique code plus your xAI login and password (a new-account option exists); the API key you issue yourself. Fulfilment is manual, up to 12 hours; the warranty is 1 week, void if the service’s rules are broken. Change your password afterwards.
OpenRouter: hundreds of models through one balance
OpenRouter is an API gateway with one key for hundreds of models — one balance instead of separate accounts per provider. The OpenRouter — balance top-up runs automatically: you create a payment link in your account (Credits → Use crypto → Purchase) and the seller’s system pays it — no login, password or API key is shared. Credits usually arrive in 1–3 minutes, 24/7; the link amount must match the order. No refunds once credits are applied; the warranty is 7 days.
Google Gemini API: a key with a prepaid balance
Google AI Studio API — Gemini key (Gemini 3.5 Flash) gives programmatic access to the Google Gemini models through Google AI Studio. Unlike the top-ups above, here you receive a ready API key with a prepaid balance (from $1), and the access method is chosen in the options: the seller’s gateway with a custom Base URL, a direct provider key, or an OpenRouter key. The key works only for the Gemini API, not the web app. After payment you receive a unique code and send it to the seller manually; delivery takes up to 12 hours, and the balance lasts until it is used up.
Hugging Face: a subscription for ML work
Hugging Face is the platform for machine learning models, datasets and AI apps (Spaces). The format here is a subscription rather than a top-up: Hugging Face Pro / Team — 1-month subscription goes on your account (Pro or Team, 1 seat) with higher limits and extra platform features. Fulfilment goes via the unique code (plus login/password if paying on your account); a new-account option exists. Manual processing, up to 12 hours; no refunds once completed.
A universal AI services payment
If the service you need has no dedicated listing, there is the AI services payment offer: a one-time payment on your own account — subscriptions (Pro/Plus/Premium), API balance top-ups or paid features: you pay the order, and the seller settles your bill on their side. Your own account is required; in chat you hand over the unique code and login/password, or a payment link. Services with dedicated listings in the seller’s store cannot be paid here. Fulfilment is manual, within 12 hours.
What to check before paying
- Whether you need an API balance or a subscription — they do not replace each other.
- That you have your own account: Claude API and the universal payment require one; Grok and Hugging Face offer a new-account option.
- What details go to the seller: only OpenRouter needs just a payment link; if you shared a password, change it afterwards — see “The unique code and seller chat”.
- The order amount: minimums and ranges differ — check the listing.
- Timing and warranty: manual fulfilment takes up to 12 hours, OpenRouter takes minutes; warranty terms vary.
- The refund rules — top-ups exclude refunds once credited; see “Refunds and disputes”.
- Service availability in your region — sellers note regional restrictions on the listing.
If you need a chat assistant rather than an API, see the companion guide “AI chat subscriptions”.
Bazelio is a storefront: payment is taken by the seller on the payment platform, and the seller handles delivery and support. These and other offers for working with AI are collected in the Subscriptions category.
