GPT_API_free vs One API
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A relay service offering API access to GPT, DeepSeek and other LLMs, with a free tier and paid tiers.
Open source · MIT
Self-hosted gateway that exposes many LLM providers through one OpenAI-style API with key management.
The short answer
Choose GPT_API_free if you need…
- Students and researchers doing non-commercial experiments with LLM APIs
- Developers who want to try several models behind one OpenAI-compatible endpoint
- People in mainland China who want to reach these models without a proxy, per the README's claim
Choose One API if you need…
- Developers who want one OpenAI-compatible endpoint for several model providers
- Small teams or groups who need to issue and limit API keys to members
- Operators who want load balancing or retries across multiple provider channels
- People comfortable running a Docker container or a Go binary on a server
Side-by-side
| GPT_API_free | One API | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Other | App |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 45.3k | 37.3k |
| Setup difficulty | Beginner | Intermediate |
| How you get it | Use it in the browser (or self-host) | Run with Docker |
| Main language | — | JavaScript |
| Last code update | 7 days ago | 10 months ago |
What each one is
GPT_API_free
This repository documents a third-party API relay service (chatanywhere) that forwards calls to large language models such as GPT, DeepSeek, Claude, Gemini and Qwen through one OpenAI-style interface. The README says a free API key is available after signing in with GitHub, with usage limits, and that paid keys are offered with no such limits. It is a service page rather than software you install and run yourself.
One API
One API is a self-hosted web service that sits between your apps and many large language model providers such as OpenAI, Azure, Claude, Gemini and DeepSeek. Clients send requests in the standard OpenAI API format, and One API translates them to each provider. It also includes a web admin panel for issuing tokens, setting quotas, and managing channels.
Best for
GPT_API_free
- Students and researchers doing non-commercial experiments with LLM APIs
- Developers who want to try several models behind one OpenAI-compatible endpoint
- People in mainland China who want to reach these models without a proxy, per the README's claim
One API
- Developers who want one OpenAI-compatible endpoint for several model providers
- Small teams or groups who need to issue and limit API keys to members
- Operators who want load balancing or retries across multiple provider channels
- People comfortable running a Docker container or a Go binary on a server
Strengths
GPT_API_free
- Uses the standard OpenAI-style interface, so many existing tools can be pointed at it by changing the host and model name
- Offers a free tier and lists per-model prices in the README
- Publishes a status page and uptime badges for the service
One API
- Single OpenAI-format interface across many listed providers
- Ships as a single executable or Docker image, per the README
- Includes token, quota, channel, and user-group management in one admin UI
Not ideal for
GPT_API_free
- Commercial products or anything serving the public, because the README says free keys are for personal, non-commercial, educational or nonprofit research only
- Sensitive or regulated data, since the README asks users not to submit personal, confidential or protected information
- Users who need guaranteed uptime, since the README says the system is for internal evaluation and use is at your own risk
One API
- Users who only call one provider and do not need a gateway, since it adds a service to run
- Anyone who needs a fully managed hosted service, because this is software you deploy and maintain yourself
- Those who cannot verify compliance with local AI service rules, since the README asks users to follow OpenAI terms and applicable law and warns about unregistered public services in China
Trade-offs
GPT_API_free
- Free keys are limited to 200 requests per day per IP and key, and the README says some free models have weaker reasoning
- The README states the operator may ban accounts it considers abused, and that the system is for internal testing
- Third-party model providers may cause slow responses or errors, and listed prices can change
One API
- The README warns to change the default root password (123456) immediately after first login
- Some features such as model mapping can change request bodies and drop fields not yet supported
- High concurrency requires setting SQL_DSN, so a production setup likely involves a database beyond the default
Getting started
GPT_API_free
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/chatanywhere/GPT_API_freeOne API
Run with SQLite using Docker
docker run --name one-api -d --restart always -p 3000:3000 -e TZ=Asia/Shanghai -v /home/ubuntu/data/one-api:/data justsong/one-apiFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between GPT_API_free and One API?
GPT_API_free: A relay service offering API access to GPT, DeepSeek and other LLMs, with a free tier and paid tiers. One API: Self-hosted gateway that exposes many LLM providers through one OpenAI-style API with key management. GPT_API_free suits students and researchers doing non-commercial experiments with llm apis, while One API suits developers who want one openai-compatible endpoint for several model providers.
Are GPT_API_free and One API free?
GPT_API_free: Free and open source. One API: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, GPT_API_free or One API?
GPT_API_free is easier to get started with (rated beginner); One API is rated intermediate and usually needs more setup.
Is GPT_API_free or One API more popular?
GPT_API_free has more GitHub stars (45.3k) than One API (37.3k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to GPT_API_free and One API?
Other options people compare them with include LibreChat, OpenHands, FlareSolverr, LlamaGPT, draw-a-ui.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.