Free OpenAI API Key (2026) — Free GPT Alternatives
There is no official free OpenAI API key in 2026. But there are 5 free GPT models from 3 legitimate providers. All require no credit card. Updated Oct 27, 2026.
Why There Is No Free OpenAI API Key
OpenAI removed all free API credits in 2024 and does not issue free production API keys as of 2026. Any website claiming to sell or give away "free OpenAI API keys" is almost certainly reselling leaked or shared credentials that will be revoked within hours.
However, there are 5 free GPT-compatible models from legitimate providers. Compare the current providers below. GitHub Models retired on July 30, 2026 and no longer provides API access.
GitHub Models has retired
GitHub Models retired on July 30, 2026 and no longer provides API access. Its former free GPT offers are no longer available. Official retirement announcement.
Free GPT Alternatives — Open-Weight Models via Groq, Cerebras & More
These providers list free GPT-style alternatives; check each model and its access limits:
Cloudflare Workers AI — 2 free models
| Model | Context | Rate Limit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| @cf/openai/gpt-oss-120b | 128K | 10K neurons/day (shared) | Get key → |
| @cf/openai/gpt-oss-20b | 8K | Get key → |
Ollama Cloud — 2 free models
| Model | Context | Rate Limit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| gpt-oss:20b | 131K | Session/weekly limits (unpublished) | Get key → |
| gpt-oss:120b | 128K | 1 concurrent request, monthly starter credits | Get key → |
NVIDIA NIM — 1 free model
| Model | Context | Rate Limit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPT OSS 20B | 131K | Get key → |
Frequently Asked Questions — Free OpenAI API Key
Is there a free OpenAI API key in 2026?
No. OpenAI removed all free API credits in 2024 and does not issue free production keys. Any site offering "free OpenAI API keys" is reselling shared or leaked keys that will rate-limit within hours. Browse the current alternatives and provider limits on this page.
What is the best free alternative to OpenAI API?
GitHub Models retired on July 30, 2026 and no longer provides API access. Browse the current open-weight GPT alternatives below and compare provider limits.
Can I use free GPT-5 without paying?
GitHub Models retired on July 30, 2026 and no longer provides API access. Its former free GPT-5 offer is no longer available. Open-weight GPT models are different models, not GPT-5.
Are free GPT API keys safe to use?
Only use keys from legitimate providers listed on this page: Groq, Cerebras, LLM7.io, Ollama Cloud, and OpenRouter. Avoid "free OpenAI API key" generators or shared key marketplaces — they are almost always leaked/stolen keys that Google Cloud or Azure will revoke.
Where can I find free GPT models for my app?
5 free GPT-style models are available across 3 providers. Groq and Cerebras host gpt-oss open-weight models with very fast inference. All are accessible via OpenAI-compatible APIs.