OpenRouter vs DashScope 2026: Which API Is Actually Cheaper?
Quick verdict: OpenRouter is our overall pick for OpenRouter vs DashScope.
- Best overall: OpenRouter (4.3/5)
- Best free: DashScope
- Best for teams: OpenRouter
- Pricing last checked: 2026-09-07
OpenRouter (4.3/5) and DashScope (3.8/5) both serve AI API inference, but with very different model rosters and pricing. OpenRouter starts at $0.07/1M tokens with a free tier, while DashScope starts at ¥0.20/1M tokens (~$0.03) with a free tier. Here is how they actually compare on speed, model selection, and true cost.
| Tool | Rating | Pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenRouter Best overall Best for teams | 4.3/5 | Free $0.07/1M tokens | OpenRouter is the largest AI model gateway — 374+ models from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, D… |
| DashScope Best free | 3.8/5 | Free ¥0.20/1M tokens (~$0.03) | DashScope is Alibaba Cloud's AI model service — Qwen, GLM, MiniMax and other Chinese model… |
Bottom line: OpenRouter has the broadest model selection in the world (374+ including GPT, Claude, DeepSeek) and unified USD billing. DashScope specializes in Qwen and other Chinese models with lower prices on those tiers and native Chinese support. Pick OpenRouter for a global team that needs every model in one place; pick DashScope if Qwen/Chinese models are 80% of what you do and you can handle Alibaba Cloud billing.
Pricing and details
OpenRouter · 4.3/5
Free plan available · $0.07/1M tokens
Pay-per-token, no monthly fees; 374+ models; free models: 20 req/min, 50 req/day (under $10 lifetime credits) or 1000/day ($10+); BYOK 1M free routing requests/mo; cheapest free models (DeepSeek R1, Llama 3.3 70B, Gemma 3, Gemini Flash) all rate-limited; paid models start at ~$0.07/1M input for small open models
OpenRouter is the largest AI model gateway — 374+ models from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, DeepSeek and more, with free tiers, BYOK support, and unified OpenAI-compatible API.
Score breakdown
Pros
- Best dimension: Core features at 5/5 — backed by verification against the official site & pricing.
- Second strong point: Value for money at 5/5.
- Pricing: Pay-per-token, no monthly fees
- Positioning: OpenRouter is the largest AI model gateway — 374+ models from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, DeepSeek and more, with free tiers, BYOK support, and unified OpenAI-compatible API.
Cons
- Weakest dimension: Localization at 3/5.
- Weigh localization before committing.
Pricing verified 2026-09-07
DashScope · 3.8/5
Free plan available · ¥0.20/1M tokens (~$0.03)
Pay-per-token in CNY; Qwen3.6-Flash ¥0.20/1M input / ¥1.20 output (~$0.03/$0.17); Qwen3.7-Plus ¥0.32/¥1.28 (~$0.05/$0.18); Qwen3.8-Max $2.00/$6.00 per 1M (GA Aug 2026); free signup credits vary by promotion (historical: free tier with RPM/daily caps); billing in CNY via Alibaba Cloud; full Chinese UI + docs
DashScope is Alibaba Cloud's AI model service — Qwen, GLM, MiniMax and other Chinese models with OpenAI-compatible API, free credit promotions, and native Chinese support.
Score breakdown
Pros
- Best dimension: Localization at 5/5 — backed by verification against the official site & pricing.
- Second strong point: Stability at 4/5.
- Pricing: Pay-per-token in CNY
- Positioning: DashScope is Alibaba Cloud's AI model service — Qwen, GLM, MiniMax and other Chinese models with OpenAI-compatible API, free credit promotions, and native Chinese support.
Cons
- Weakest dimension: Collaboration at 3/5.
- Weigh collaboration before committing.
Pricing verified 2026-09-07
Frequently asked questions
Which is better overall, OpenRouter or DashScope?
OpenRouter is our overall pick (4.3/5 vs 3.8/5). OpenRouter (4.3/5) and DashScope (3.8/5) both serve AI API inference, but with very different model rosters and pricing. OpenRouter starts at $0.07/1M tokens with a free tier, while DashScope starts at ¥0.20/1M tokens (~$0.03) with a free tier. Here is how they actually compare on speed, model selection, and true cost.
Do OpenRouter and DashScope offer free plans?
OpenRouter and DashScope have a free tier. OpenRouter paid plans start at $0.07/1M tokens; DashScope paid plans start at ¥0.20/1M tokens (~$0.03).
What does OpenRouter cost?
$0.07/1M tokens — Pay-per-token, no monthly fees; 374+ models; free models: 20 req/min, 50 req/day (under $10 lifetime credits) or 1000/day ($10+); BYOK 1M free routing requests/mo; cheapest free models (DeepSeek R1, Llama 3.3 70B, Gemma 3, Gemini Flash) all rate-limited; paid models start at ~$0.07/1M input for small open models. Prices were last verified on 2026-09-07.