How to Get a Free ModelScope API Key (2026)
54 free models available — no credit card required. Get your ModelScope API key → Test free models →
ModelScope FreeLLM Score
All Free ModelScope Models — Context Windows & Rate Limits
What is ModelScope?
Alibaba ModelScope — Qwen3.5, DeepSeek at 2,000 RPD free.
ModelScope is Alibaba's model hub and inference platform, providing free API access to Qwen, DeepSeek, and other models popular in the Chinese AI ecosystem. The free tier allows 2,000 requests/day total with a per-model cap of 500 RPD. Best latency for China-based users.
- 2,000 RPD total, 500 RPD per model
- Qwen3.5, DeepSeek available
- Best latency in China
- OpenAI-compatible endpoint
API Compatibility: OpenAI SDK-compatible (Chat Completions)
How to Get a ModelScope API Key
- 1 Sign up at modelscope.cn Alibaba account or phone. No credit card.
- 2 Go to Access Tokens
- 3 Create an access token
- 4 Choose a model Qwen3.5 and DeepSeek available. 2,000 RPD total.
- 5 Configure OpenAI client Base URL: https://api-inference.modelscope.cn/v1
ModelScope Free Tier Limits & Pricing
ModelScope API Setup Tutorial & Tools
ModelScope is fully compatible with popular AI coding assistants like Cursor, Claude Code, and more. To see step-by-step API configuration instructions for your favorite tool, please visit our Global Configuration Guide →
Use Cases
What ModelScope's free models are best for, based on aggregated model capabilities:
Limitations & Caveats
- China-hosted — high latency outside Asia-Pacific
- 500 RPD per-model cap, 2,000 RPD total across all models
- Alibaba account or Chinese phone required
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between ModelScope and SiliconFlow?
ModelScope is Alibaba's official model hub with Qwen3.5 as the flagship. SiliconFlow is an independent platform. Both are China-hosted, but ModelScope has official Qwen models while SiliconFlow offers a broader mix including DeepSeek.
Does ModelScope have the latest Qwen models?
Yes — as Alibaba's own platform, ModelScope gets the latest Qwen releases (currently Qwen3.5) before they appear on other providers.
Can international users use ModelScope?
ModelScope requires an Alibaba account or Chinese phone for registration. International users may face difficulty signing up. Consider OpenRouter or Groq as alternatives for Qwen models.