OpenRouter is a gateway that provides a unified interface to access AI models from different providers. It centralizes access through a single standardized API, with routing, fallback and usage controls.
What it does
- Access models from multiple providers through one interface
- Route calls and fall back between providers
- Manage usage and keys from a single place
How it works
- You make calls to a standardized API
- The gateway routes to the right provider and model
- Automatic fallback when a provider is unavailable
Models and providers
- Aggregates proprietary and open models from different providers
- Model availability varies by provider
Strengths
- Single interface for multiple providers
- Routing and fallback reduce downtime
- Centralized usage controls
Points of attention
- The extra layer adds a dependency point
- Not every model or feature is available through the gateway
- Data policies vary by provider: review before production use