Pay-As-You-Go or a Prepaid Package? How to Choose
Both options give you API credits. The difference is commitment: pay-as-you-go keeps you flexible, while a prepaid package trades a larger upfront amount for a lower price per token.
When each one wins 🏆
| Situation | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Testing an idea | Pay-as-you-go | Low commitment, no waste if usage stays small |
| Steady production load | Prepaid package | Lower price per token at volume |
| Bursty seasonal traffic | Pay-as-you-go | Scale up and down without leftovers |
| Predictable monthly budget | Prepaid package | One purchase covers a known workload |
A quick decision rule 🧮
- Estimate your monthly token usage first
- If usage is small or uncertain, start pay-as-you-go
- If you already spend steadily, compare the package unit price
- Revisit the choice after a month of real numbers
You can mix both 🧩
Nothing stops you from holding a prepaid package for baseline traffic and topping up pay-as-you-go for spikes. Credits never expire, so a top-up that is not fully used is not lost.
Frequently asked questions ❓
Do pay-as-you-go credits expire?
No. Credits never expire, so unused balance simply waits for the next request.
Are packages always cheaper?
Per token, usually yes at volume. But if your usage is small or unpredictable, flexibility can be worth more than the discount.
Can I switch later?
Yes. You can buy a package at any time and keep using your existing credits alongside it.
How do I know my real usage?
Check the billing dashboard after a typical month and use that number to compare package sizes.
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