--- title: OpenAI API Alternative — Same SDK, Flat Plans | ModelsLab description: OpenAI API alternatives compared for 2026: DeepSeek, Llama, Qwen and Mistral on an OpenAI-compatible endpoint, plus image, video and speech on one key. url: https://modelslab.com/openai-api-alternative canonical: https://modelslab.com/openai-api-alternative type: website component: Seo/OpenaiApiAlternative generated_at: 2026-09-16T12:02:20.019712Z --- Imagen OpenAI API Alternative — Same SDK, Flat Plans --- Keep the OpenAI SDK, change base\_url and the key. Chat completions on open-weight and third-party LLMs, plus image, video and speech generation on the same ModelsLab key. Flat monthly plans per category. [Get API Key](https://modelslab.com/register) [API Documentation](https://docs.modelslab.com) Why Teams Look for an OpenAI API Alternative --- ### Three Reasons, Usually Teams searching for an OpenAI API alternative tend to want one of three things: open-weight models they can inspect and, if needed, run themselves; predictable monthly cost instead of a per-token bill that moves with traffic; or image, video and speech generation that OpenAI’s API does not cover in the same breadth. ModelsLab answers all three on one key. The LLM endpoint is OpenAI-compatible, so the chat layer does not need a rewrite. Everything else — 10,000+ image models at a flat $0.0047 per image, video generation with Kling, Veo, Wan and Seedance, text to speech and voice cloning in 40+ languages — is a separate endpoint on the same account and the same key. ### What Stays the Same The OpenAI Python and JavaScript SDKs, the `messages` array, streaming, `temperature` and `max\_tokens`. Point `base\_url` at https://modelslab.com/api/v7/llm, pass your ModelsLab key, and set `model` to any LLM in the catalogue — DeepSeek V4 and R1, Llama, Qwen, Mistral and more. - OpenAI-compatible /chat/completions with streaming - Anthropic-style /messages endpoint as well - Per-million-token LLM pricing shown on each model page - Image generation at a flat $0.0047 per image - Video, speech and voice cloning on the same key - Flat monthly plans per category, no seat fees What Maps to What --- The OpenAI surfaces most integrations use, and the ModelsLab endpoint that replaces each. | OpenAI surface | ModelsLab endpoint | Notes | |---|---|---| | chat.completions.create | POST /api/v7/llm/chat/completions | Same request and response shape | | Streaming chat | POST /api/v7/llm/chat/completions with stream: true | Server-sent events, unchanged | | Images (DALL·E / gpt-image) | POST /api/v7/images/text-to-image | 10,000+ models, flat $0.0047 per image | | Image edits | POST /api/v6/image\_editing/\* | Inpaint, outpaint, remove, replace, upscale | | Audio speech | POST /api/v6/voice/text\_to\_audio | 40+ languages, voice cloning included | | Video (Sora) | POST /api/v7/video-fusion/text-to-video | Kling, Veo, Wan, Seedance, Minimax by model\_id | Chat completions use the OpenAI request and response shape. Image, video and speech use the ModelsLab shape documented on each product page. Switch in two lines --- The OpenAI client with a different base\_url, then the image and speech endpoints on the same key. ### Python — the OpenAI SDK against ModelsLab Python ``` 1from openai import OpenAI 2 3client = OpenAI( 4 api_key="YOUR_MODELSLAB_API_KEY", 5 base_url="https://modelslab.com/api/v7/llm", 6) 7 8response = client.chat.completions.create( 9 model="deepseek-deepseek-v4-flash-latest", 10 temperature=0.2, 11 max_tokens=600, 12 messages=[ 13 {"role": "system", "content": "You are a concise technical writer."}, 14 {"role": "user", "content": "Summarise the retry policy in three bullets."}, 15 ], 16) 17 18print(response.choices[0].message.content) ``` ### JavaScript — image generation on the same key JavaScript ``` 1const response = await fetch( 2 'https://modelslab.com/api/v7/images/text-to-image', 3 { 4 method: 'POST', 5 headers: { 6 'Content-Type': 'application/json', 7 Authorization: 'Bearer YOUR_MODELSLAB_API_KEY', 8 }, 9 body: JSON.stringify({ 10 model_id: 'flux', 11 prompt: 'isometric illustration of a data centre, soft palette', 12 width: 1024, 13 height: 1024, 14 samples: 1, 15 }), 16 }, 17); 18 19const { output } = await response.json(); 20console.log(output[0]); ``` ### cURL — streaming chat bash ``` 1curl https://modelslab.com/api/v7/llm/chat/completions \ 2 -H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_MODELSLAB_API_KEY' \ 3 -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \ 4 -d '{ 5 "model": "deepseek-deepseek-v4-flash-latest", 6 "stream": true, 7 "messages": [ 8 {"role": "user", "content": "Explain idempotency keys in two sentences."} 9 ] 10 }' ``` Move Off the OpenAI API in 3 Steps --- No rewrite of the chat layer. STEP 01 STEP 01 ### Step 1: Get Your API Key Create a ModelsLab account, subscribe to the plan for the category you need — image from $21/month, video from $21, audio from $12 — and copy your key. STEP 02 STEP 02 ### Step 2: Point the Client at ModelsLab Set base\_url to https://modelslab.com/api/v7/llm in the OpenAI client and pass your ModelsLab key. Chat completions and streaming work unchanged. STEP 03 STEP 03 ### Step 3: Pick a Model, Add the Other Modalities Set model to any LLM in the catalogue, then use /api/v7/images/text-to-image, /api/v7/video-fusion/text-to-video and /api/v6/voice/text\_to\_audio on the same key. [Get API Key ](https://modelslab.com/register) Related guides --- [### DeepSeek API V4, V3 and R1 through the OpenAI-compatible endpoint, with per-token pricing.](https://modelslab.com/deepseek-api) [### ChatGPT Image Generation API Moving chat-style image prompting onto a repeatable API integration.](https://modelslab.com/chatgpt-image-generation-api) [### Image Generation API 10,000+ models on one endpoint at a flat $0.0047 per image.](https://modelslab.com/image-generation-api) ### Pricing Shape ModelsLab sells flat monthly plans per category: image from $21/month for 3,250 API calls ($149 unlimited on open-weight models), video from $21/month, audio from $12/month. LLM usage is billed per million tokens at the rate on each model page — DeepSeek V4 Flash was listed from $0.07 per million tokens in September 2026. There are no seat or platform fees. ### What We Do Not Claim This page does not publish OpenAI’s prices or benchmark numbers, because we cannot verify them from here and they change. Compare the model page rates with your own OpenAI invoice; the endpoint mapping above is what makes that comparison a two-line change to test. What You Get Instead --- Key advantages that set us apart OpenAI-compatible chat completions with streaming Open-weight and third-party LLMs by model name Image generation at a flat $0.0047 per image Video, speech and voice cloning on the same key Flat monthly plans per category Per-million-token LLM rates on every model page No cold starts on self-hosted models Dedicated deployments for isolated capacity Our Popular Use Cases Where teams move first: Cost-Sensitive Chat FeaturesMultimodal ProductsOpen-Weight ComplianceImage-Heavy PipelinesProvider RedundancyAgent Backends Route high-volume, low-stakes prompts to a cheaper open-weight model by changing the model name. ![Cost-Sensitive Chat Features](https://imagedelivery.net/PP4qZJxMlvGLHJQBm3ErNg/0fbacb1a-6e34-4254-0a9d-5e75178cf200/768) OpenAI API Alternative FAQ --- Yes. Point base\_url at https://modelslab.com/api/v7/llm and keep the OpenAI client. Chat completions, streaming and the messages format work unchanged; only the model name and the API key differ. Open-weight and third-party LLMs including DeepSeek V4 and R1, Llama, Qwen and Mistral families, selected by model on the same /chat/completions endpoint. Prices are per million tokens and shown on each model page. POST https://modelslab.com/api/v7/images/text-to-image with any of 10,000+ models including Flux and SDXL. Image generation is a flat $0.0047 per image on image plans from $21/month. ModelsLab sells flat monthly plans per category — image from $21, video from $21, audio from $12 — and bills LLM usage per million tokens at the rate listed on each model page. There are no separate seat or platform fees. No. ModelsLab is a paid service. Creating an account is free, but generating anything requires an active plan for that category. Yes. The open-weight models are hosted on ModelsLab GPUs with no cold starts, and dedicated deployments are available for teams that need isolated capacity. Your Data is Secure: GDPR Compliant AI Services --- ![ModelsLab GDPR Compliance Certification Badge](https://imagedelivery.net/PP4qZJxMlvGLHJQBm3ErNg/28133112-07fe-4c1c-44eb-36948d51ae00/768) AI Image API Pricing Starting at $0.0047 Per Image --- ModelsLab offers subscription plans from $21/month (Basic) and $47/month (Standard, 10,000 API calls) to $149/month (Open Source Unlimited). All plans include access to Flux, SDXL, Stable Diffusion 3, and 10,000+ community models. Choose a paid plan, cancel anytime, 100% refund policy. Coming Soon --- We are making some changes to our pricing, please check back later. Get Expert Support in Seconds We're Here to Help. --- Want to know more? You can email us anytime at Chat with support[View Docs](https://docs.modelslab.com) Yes. Point `base_url` at https://modelslab.com/api/v7/llm and keep the OpenAI client. Chat completions, streaming and the messages format work unchanged; only the `model` name and the API key differ. Open-weight and third-party LLMs including DeepSeek V4 and R1, Llama, Qwen and Mistral families, selected by `model` on the same /chat/completions endpoint. Prices are per million tokens and shown on each model page. POST https://modelslab.com/api/v7/images/text-to-image with any of 10,000+ models including Flux and SDXL. Image generation is a flat $0.0047 per image on image plans from $21/month. ModelsLab sells flat monthly plans per category — image from $21, video from $21, audio from $12 — and bills LLM usage per million tokens at the rate listed on each model page. There are no separate seat or platform fees. No. ModelsLab is a paid service. Creating an account is free, but generating anything requires an active plan for that category. Yes. The open-weight models are hosted on ModelsLab GPUs with no cold starts, and dedicated deployments are available for teams that need isolated capacity. Explore Our Other Solutions --- Unlock your creative potential and scale your business with ModelsLab's comprehensive suite of AI-powered solutions. [Audio Gen ### AI Audio Generation Text-to-speech, voice cloning, music generation, and audio processing APIs. Explore Audio Gen](https://modelslab.com/audio-gen) [Video Fusion ### AI Video Generation & Tools Create, edit, and enhance videos with AI-powered generation and transformation tools. Explore Video Fusion](https://modelslab.com/video-generation) [Chat ### Engage Seamlessly with LLM Access powerful language models for chatbots, content generation, and AI assistants. Explore Chat](https://modelslab.com/custom-llm) [3D Verse ### Create Stunning 3D Models Transform images and text into 3D models with advanced AI-powered generation. Explore 3D Verse](https://modelslab.com/text-to-3d) Plugins Explore Plugins for Pro --- Our plugins are designed to work with the most popular content creation software. [Explore Plugins](https://modelslab.com/pro#plugins) [Learn More](https://modelslab.com/pro) API Build Apps with ModelsLab ML API --- Use our API to build apps, generate AI art, create videos, and produce audio with ease. [API Documentation](https://docs.modelslab.com) [Playground](https://modelslab.com/models) ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is ModelsLab compatible with the OpenAI SDK? Yes. Point `base_url` at https://modelslab.com/api/v7/llm and keep the OpenAI client. Chat completions, streaming and the messages format work unchanged; only the `model` name and the API key differ. ### Which models replace GPT for chat? Open-weight and third-party LLMs including DeepSeek V4 and R1, Llama, Qwen and Mistral families, selected by `model` on the same /chat/completions endpoint. Prices are per million tokens and shown on each model page. ### What replaces the OpenAI image API? POST https://modelslab.com/api/v7/images/text-to-image with any of 10,000+ models including Flux and SDXL. Image generation is a flat $0.0047 per image on image plans from $21/month. ### How is ModelsLab priced compared with OpenAI? ModelsLab sells flat monthly plans per category — image from $21, video from $21, audio from $12 — and bills LLM usage per million tokens at the rate listed on each model page. There are no separate seat or platform fees. ### Can I use the API without a paid plan? No. ModelsLab is a paid service. Creating an account is free, but generating anything requires an active plan for that category. ### Can I run open-source models without managing GPUs? Yes. The open-weight models are hosted on ModelsLab GPUs with no cold starts, and dedicated deployments are available for teams that need isolated capacity. --- *This markdown version is optimized for AI agents and LLMs.* **Links:** - [Website](https://modelslab.com) - [API Documentation](https://docs.modelslab.com) - [Blog](https://modelslab.com/blog) --- *Generated by ModelsLab - 2026-09-16*