AI has become an integral part of our work and entertainment. Whether it's the top international models like OpenAI, Gemini, and Claude, or leading domestic models such as DeepSeek, Zhipu AI, Tongyi Qianwen, and Kimi, major providers offer powerful AI capabilities.

However, a common frustration is that using each platform's model requires creating a separate account and sometimes even setting up payment methods. Want to use ChatGPT? You need an OpenAI account. Interested in trying Gemini? You'll need a Google account.

Of course, there are AI aggregation platforms available, like Alibaba Cloud's Bailian and ByteDance's Volcano Ark. But these platforms primarily focus on their own models and lack access to top international options. While platforms like Silicon Flow offer some foreign models, the selection is incomplete, missing popular choices like OpenAI and Claude.

Is there a platform that offers both mainstream AI models from around the world and is convenient for users in China? The answer is yes—it's OpenRouter.ai!

Advantages of OpenRouter.ai:

• Accessible in China with stable speeds: No special network setup required for smooth usage.
• Comprehensive model selection: Includes mainstream AI models from both domestic and international providers, such as OpenAI, Google, Claude, DeepSeek, Qwen, and more.
• Free quota: Provides daily free request credits, allowing you to easily try out various models.

1. Free Registration and Login

Visit the OpenRouter.ai website: https://openrouter.ai

• If you have a Google account, you can log in directly with it.
• If not, click "Sign up" to register using your email.

After registering, check your email and click the verification link to log in.

2. Create an API Key

After logging in, go to the API key management page: https://openrouter.ai/settings/keys

Click "Create Key" to generate a new API key.

Copy the generated API key and store it securely.

3. Explore Free Models

Visit the OpenRouter.ai models page: https://openrouter.ai/models

Filter the list to show all free models, as shown below.

You'll see many models marked with (free), which are available for free use, including the full-featured DeepSeek:R1.

Free Quota Details:

OpenRouter.ai provides each user with 200 free requests per day.

4. Replace OpenAI with OpenRouter.ai

Select a model that interests you and copy its Model Name.

Now, you can use OpenRouter.ai in any application or code that supports the OpenAI API format by configuring:

• API URL: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
• API Key (SK): Your previously copied OpenRouter.ai API key
• Model Name: The model name you just copied

5. Special Recommendation: Free Full-Featured DeepSeek-R1

OpenRouter.ai also offers a special model: deepseek/deepseek-r1:free

Visit: https://openrouter.ai/deepseek/deepseek-r1:free

This is the full-featured DeepSeek-R1 reasoning model, available for completely free use!

6. Example: Using OpenRouter.ai in pyVideoTrans

Here’s how to integrate OpenRouter.ai into a real-world application using pyVideoTrans, a video translation software:

1. Open the software and go to "Menu" -> "OpenAI ChatGPT API".
2. In "API URL", enter: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
3. In "SK", enter your OpenRouter.ai API key.
4. In "Fill in all available models", paste the model name you copied.
5. Click "Save" to apply the settings.