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CompareAPIcuts vs Vercel AI Gateway
Vercel AI Gateway gives you one API for many models at the provider's list price, with no markup or platform fee on tokens, including when you bring your own key. apicuts doesn't stop at list price: we lower what you pay through caching, routing, batching and prompt work, with at least 20% guaranteed after our fee.
Choose Vercel AI Gateway for list-price access to many models, especially if you build on Vercel. Choose apicuts when you want to pay less than you pay today for the same work, with a guarantee.
At a glance
| apicuts | Vercel AI Gateway | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Done-for-you LLM API gateway with cost optimization | One API for many models, built into Vercel |
| Price | 10% of verified savings. No retainer | Provider list price with no markup or platform fee on tokens; some optional features cost extra |
| Savings guarantee | At least 20% lower all-in cost after our fee, or you pay nothing | None listed on its pricing page |
| Optimization work | Done for you by an optimization engineer | Budgets and provider controls your team configures |
| Setup | Onboarding call, live in 1 day | Self-serve in your Vercel account |
| Best for | Teams that want a lower bill without doing the work | Teams building on Vercel that want one key for many models |
When Vercel AI Gateway is the better fit
- You build on Vercel and want one key for many models.
- List price is fine, and you'll tune usage yourself.
- You want instant self-serve access.
When apicuts is the better fit
- You want to pay less than you do today, not just avoid a markup.
- You want the optimization work done for you.
- You want a written guarantee, measured after fees.
Can you use both?
Yes. You can keep Vercel AI Gateway for prototyping and send high-volume production traffic through apicuts. The Vercel AI SDK works with apicuts through its OpenAI-compatible provider. See integrations.
Frequently asked questions
Does Vercel AI Gateway mark up tokens?
According to Vercel's documentation, it charges no markup and no platform fee on tokens. You pay the provider's list price, and some optional features cost extra.
Is apicuts a Vercel AI Gateway alternative?
Yes, when the goal is a lower bill. A no-markup gateway still charges list price; apicuts cuts your cost per request at least 20% below your baseline, after our fee.
Can I use apicuts with the Vercel AI SDK?
Yes. Use the AI SDK's OpenAI-compatible provider with your apicuts endpoint and key.
Vercel AI Gateway details checked on October 30, 2026 from its own website. Prices change, so check their site for current terms.
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