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How this calculator works
PAYG = (total tokens ÷ 1M × price per M tokens). Subscription cost = flat fee + overage (excess calls × overage rate). Compare both to find the cheaper option at your volume.
Useful scenarios
- A solo developer building an AI feature — estimating whether a $20/month ChatGPT API plan covers 50K calls/month or if PAYG is cheaper.
- A freelancer comparing OpenAI API usage at 200K calls/month vs a $100/month enterprise plan with included calls.
- A creator using an image generation API — comparing subscription vs PAYG for 10K generations/month at 4,000 tokens each.
FAQ
When does a subscription plan make sense?
A subscription plan is usually cheaper when you use enough to hit the included calls. If your monthly call volume is within 60-80% of the included amount, you're getting good value. Below that, PAYG may be cheaper.
How do I estimate tokens per call accurately?
Look at your actual usage data if available. If you're planning a new project, estimate based on: simple queries = 500-1K tokens, analysis tasks = 2-4K tokens, document processing = 8-15K tokens. Always add 20% buffer to your estimate.
Should I use multiple API providers?
It depends. Using multiple providers gives you flexibility and backup, but adds complexity. Some providers offer better pricing for specific tasks (e.g., Anthropic for long documents, OpenAI for general chat). Compare per-token costs across providers using the Token Cost Calculator.