Free-offer comparison
Free Multimodal AI APIs
A provider may support images or audio without including them in its free API quota. Confirm the input and output modes before choosing a model.
Guide updated Sep 20, 2026 · Offer review and source dates appear below · Methodology
Free-offer ranking
Each row describes the provider’s recorded free offer, which may cover a different product from the category shown here. The table keeps published units separate. “Not confirmed” means we lack evidence for that detail; it does not mean the provider requires a card.
Scroll horizontally to compare every column.
| Rank | Provider | Free-access score | Recorded free offer | Access pattern | Billing/card | Offer note | Full review | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Jina AI | 60/100 | 10.0M tokens | One-time balance | Not confirmed | The free token tier is labeled for non-commercial use only (CC BY-NC) on the provider page. | Jul 17, 2026 | View documentationAccessed Sep 13, 2026 |
| #2 | xAI (Grok) | 30/100 | Free tier | Free offer recorded | Not confirmed | Free Grok plan includes limited access to real-time web and X search, voice mode, and connectors | Jun 24, 2026 | View documentationAccessed Sep 13, 2026 |
| #3 | Replicate | 30/100 | Free tier | Free offer recorded | Not confirmed | Models in Try for Free collection can be run without credit for a limited number of runs; after hitting the free use limit you must add billing | Jul 17, 2026 | Visit provider websiteAccessed Sep 13, 2026 |
| #4 | Voyage AI | 30/100 | Free tier | Introductory offer | Not confirmed | Token allowances vary by model family; they are not one universal balance. | Jul 17, 2026 | View pricingAccessed Jul 17, 2026 |
| #5 | Google AI Studio (Gemini) | 25/100 | Free tier | Introductory offer | Not confirmed | Gemini quotas vary by model and project. | Jul 17, 2026 | View pricingAccessed Sep 20, 2026 |
Why these providers appear in this order
We score each provider’s recorded free offer: up to 40 points for recurring or durable access, 20 for a confirmed no-card signup, 15 for a stated allowance, 15 for distinct evidence links, and 10 for documented terms. Missing details earn no points. Ties favor longer-lasting access, then more detailed records, then provider name. The score does not measure product quality or whether the free offer covers this category. Read the full method before treating it as a recommendation.
Which providers are included?
We include active directory records tagged for multimodal AI APIs. A tag describes a provider’s capability; its recorded free offer may cover only part of that provider’s catalog. Check the model or endpoint in the provider’s terms before building on the allowance.
See the full multimodal AI APIs category, including records excluded from this guide.