Guide
Use AI Without Subscription
Pay for what you use, not a monthly fee.
Quick Answer
Self-hosted AI with your own API keys = no subscription. Pay your API provider (Anthropic, OpenAI, Google) directly per usage. VPS costs $15.99-35.99/month — often cheaper than $20/mo ChatGPT/Claude Pro.
Subscription vs Pay-Per-Use
| Factor | Self-Hosted | Subscription |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $4-14/mo + pay-per-use | $20/mo fixed |
| Flexibility | Switch models anytime | Locked to one provider |
| Ownership | Your keys, your data | Provider controls access |
Who Should Go Subscription?
- • Casual users (under 50k tokens/month)
- • Those who want zero setup
- • People who prefer simplicity
Who Should Go Self-Hosted?
- • Power users (over 100k tokens/month)
- • Developers needing multiple models
- • Privacy-conscious users
- • Those wanting full control
Try Self-Hosted Free
Start from $4/month. No subscription, pay for what you use.
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