OpenAI alternative
A cheaper OpenAI API, up to 84% off
FrugalDev is a drop-in OpenAI-compatible alternative to the OpenAI API. Call the same GPT models at up to 84% below list price — prepaid, no subscription, hard spend limits, $5 minimum.
Per-token pricing
USD / 1M tokens| Model | Input | Output | Cache R | Cache W | Official I/O | Save |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPT-5.5 | $0.80 | $4.76 | $0.080 | $0.080 | $5 / $30 | −84% |
| GPT-5.4 | $0.40 | $2.39 | $0.040 | $0.040 | $2.5 / $15 | −84% |
| GPT-5.4 Mini | $0.12 | $0.72 | $0.012 | $0.012 | $0.75 / $4.5 | −84% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest OpenAI API alternative?
FrugalDev resells the same GPT models at up to 84% below OpenAI's official list price. It's prepaid (from $5), has no subscription or seat fees, and works with the official OpenAI SDK.
Is it really compatible with the OpenAI SDK?
Yes. Point your existing OpenAI SDK at the FrugalDev base URL and pass your prepaid key — no code changes. You reach the same GPT models at a fraction of the cost.
Why is it cheaper than OpenAI directly?
FrugalDev aggregates demand across many developers and routes through optimized capacity, then passes the savings on. The models are the same frontier versions — you just pay a fraction of the per-token list price.