AI API FAQ — Everything You Need to Know
Pricing verified as of 2026-08-19. DeepSeek changed to peak/off-peak pricing on 2026-08-17.
Quick Navigation
- What is the most cost-effective AI API in 2026?
- How do I migrate from OpenAI to DeepSeek?
- Do I need a Chinese phone number?
- Which AI model should I choose?
- How much can I save by switching?
- Are Chinese AI models as good as GPT-4o?
- What payment methods are accepted?
- Can I use streaming responses?
- What embedding models are available?
- What happens if the API goes down?
- How do I get started?
- Is there a starter tier?
1. What is the most cost-effective AI API in 2026?
GLM-4-Flash is ultra-low cost with route-specific rate limits for standard usage. For paid models, DeepSeek V4 Pro costs $7.656 per million tokens blended ($1.914 input + $5.742 output), compared with GPT-4o at $12.50/M. In between, Kimi K2.6 at $3.50/M and GLM-5.1 at $4.50/M offer great value for complex tasks. See our full pricing comparison.
2. How do I migrate from OpenAI API to DeepSeek?
Keep the OpenAI client, change the base URL and API key in a test environment, choose an exact catalog model ID, and replay representative requests. Define stop conditions and a rollback path before moving production traffic. Read the migration guide →
3. Do I need a Chinese phone number to use Chinese AI APIs?
No. Through AIWave, you can access DeepSeek, GLM (Zhipu), Kimi (Moonshot), and Chinese AI routes from 9 Chinese AI providers without a Chinese phone number, Chinese ID, Alipay, or any KYC verification. Register with email, pay with USD. Step-by-step access guide →
4. Which AI model should I choose for my project?
Prepaid credits — pay only for what you use: GLM-4-Flash for classification, summarization, simple chat.
Standard: DeepSeek V4 Pro ($7.656/M blended) for user-facing chat, content, coding.
Complex: GLM-5.1 ($4.50/M) or DeepSeek-R1 for reasoning, legal, math.
Fallback: GPT-4o ($12.50/M) for ~2-5% edge cases.
Full model comparison →
5. How much can I save by switching from OpenAI?
Most startups save 87-92% on their AI API bill. A typical $500/month OpenAI bill drops to $40-60/month. Enterprise users with $10,000/month typically drop to $800-1,200. Real case study: $450 to $41/month →
6. Are Chinese AI models as good as GPT-4o?
Benchmark results move with the task and test setup. Re-run the comparison on your acceptance set before deciding.
7. What payment methods do you accept?
AIWave currently exposes PayPal checkout. All payments in USD. No Chinese payment methods required.
8. Can I use streaming responses?
Yes. Streaming support depends on the selected route; test SSE behavior before production use. Your existing stream=True code requires a compatibility test.
9. What embedding models are available?
Use the live model catalog and route documentation to confirm whether an embedding endpoint is available. Do not infer embedding support from a chat model name; test the endpoint and vector dimensions before production use.
10. What happens if the API goes down?
AIWave provides available model routes from independent providers. Implement automatic fallback: DeepSeek → GLM → Kimi → budget model. With 4 independent providers, every route still needs tested failure and stop conditions. Production fallback patterns →
11. How do I get started?
Go to aiwave.live, register with email, and fund your account from $5 at checkout. Your API key is available immediately. Use the same OpenAI SDK — change base_url to https://aiwave.live/v1.
12. Is there a starter tier?
Account terms are shown after sign-in. Top-ups start at $5 at checkout; estimate a capped test from the dated rate card before funding.
Still have questions?
Join our Telegram community or start building with a $5 minimum top-up.
Get Started →Related Articles
- Recalculate the token mix with the dated rate card before choosing a route.
- AI API Cost Comparison 2026 — each listed route, every price
- Test DeepSeek on your acceptance set before choosing a route.
References
Ready to start building? Use a $5 minimum top-up and access available model routes on AIWave.
Explore Models →Related: pricing · quickstart guide
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