Predictable, cheap tokens for Aider

Aider edits code from the terminal — and the API bill can swing. Pin it to fixed USD per-token pricing, about 10× cheaper, with a one-line env change.

Get a cheap key

Fixed costs, no surprises

Published per-million-token rates in USD, roughly 10× less than OpenRouter on the same model. Pay-as-you-go from a balance, so a long refactor session can't surprise you.

One env var, git-native CLI

Aider uses OpenAI-compatible env vars. Set OPENAI_API_BASE to cheaptokens and your key, pick a model, and keep your git-native workflow — same models, drop-in, far cheaper.

Drop-in: set the env vars

env 
export OPENAI_API_BASE="https://api.cheaptokens.dev/v1"
export OPENAI_API_KEY="YOUR_CHEAPTOKENS_KEY"
aider --model minimax-m2.7

Same model, a fraction of the price

Per-million-token rates versus OpenRouter on the same model.

Model OpenRouter cheaptokens You save
MiniMax-M2.7 $0.24 / $0.96 $0.025 / $0.1 ~10× cheaper
Kimi-K2.6 $0.66 / $3.41 $0.07 / $0.35 ~9× cheaper

Same models. USD per 1M tokens (input / output). OpenRouter shown for comparison. · Open cost calculator

FAQ

How do I point aider here?

Set OPENAI_API_BASE and OPENAI_API_KEY (or pass --openai-api-base) and run aider as usual.

Do architect mode and the repo map work?

Yes — aider's modes are client-side, so they work unchanged over our endpoint.

Can I choose a specific model?

Yes — pass --model with any model we list; pricing is per-model and fixed.

Related use cases

For Claude Code For coding For OpenClaw

Tame your API bill

Create an account, top up with USDT, and point Aider at cheaptokens.

Get started

Not affiliated with or endorsed by Aider. Compatible via the standard OpenAI API.