Which option is best for Cursor, Cline, or Claude Code?

Any OpenAI-compatible endpoint works in those tools. A unified gateway or aggregator lets you point one base URL at Claude, GPT, and Gemini and switch by model name, which is simpler than juggling a separate account and key per vendor.

OpenRouter vs Direct API vs Pooled Gateway (2026)

Q: What is the difference between an aggregator and a pooled gateway?

An aggregator like OpenRouter has direct relationships with model providers and routes your request at roughly provider list price plus a small platform fee. A pooled gateway is an independent third party that resells capacity it holds, usually pay-as-you-go and often below list — with a different terms and trust profile you should evaluate for your use case.

Q: When should I just use the direct API?

Choose the direct vendor API when you need enterprise contracts, a signed SLA, a BAA for regulated data, day-zero access to new models, or to keep third parties out of your security chain.

There are three practical ways to call Claude, GPT, and Gemini from your code: go direct to each vendor, use an aggregator like OpenRouter, or route through a pooled pay-as-you-go gateway. They differ on price, breadth, billing, setup, and trust — here's an honest map of which fits which job.

TL;DR: Direct API = most control + compliance, one account per vendor. Aggregator (OpenRouter) = the widest model catalog through one OpenAI-compatible key at roughly list price + a platform fee. Pooled gateway = one key for Claude/GPT/Gemini, pay-as-you-go with per-request logging, often below list — an independent third party you evaluate on trust. Most IDE/agent developers want a single OpenAI-compatible endpoint.

The three models, briefly

1. Direct API

You hold an account with each vendor (api.anthropic.com, api.openai.com, Google AI Studio) and call them natively. Maximum control, full access to enterprise contracts and SLAs — and a separate key, bill, and base URL per vendor.

2. Aggregator (OpenRouter)

OpenRouter sits in front of hundreds of models from many providers behind one OpenAI-compatible API. It has direct provider relationships and generally charges roughly provider list price plus a small platform fee. Great breadth and a clean single integration.

3. Pooled pay-as-you-go gateway

A gateway such as TokenProvider exposes Claude, Claude Code, ChatGPT, and Gemini through one OpenAI-compatible (and Anthropic-compatible) endpoint, billed per token with a per-request log. It is an independent third party — not affiliated with the model vendors — so you weigh price and convenience against that trust relationship.

At-a-glance comparison

Dimension	Direct API	OpenRouter	Pooled gateway
Model catalog	One vendor per account	Hundreds across vendors	Claude, GPT, Gemini via one key
API format	Vendor-native	OpenAI-compatible	OpenAI- + Anthropic-compatible
Accounts needed	One per vendor	One	One
Pricing vs official list	List price	List + platform fee	Pay-as-you-go, often below list
Billing granularity	Monthly invoice	Per-request, prepaid credits	Per-request log + CSV
IDE drop-in (Cursor/Cline)	Per-vendor base URL	One base URL	One base URL
Enterprise SLA / BAA	Yes (enterprise)	Platform terms	No — independent third party
Day-zero new models	First	Fast	Fast
Provider relationship	Direct contract	Direct partner	Independent reseller

When to pick each

Direct API — regulated data, signed SLA/BAA, day-zero models, or keeping third parties out of your security chain.
OpenRouter — you want the broadest catalog (niche and open models included) through one integration and are fine paying list + a platform fee.
Pooled gateway — you live in Claude/GPT/Gemini, want one key and per-request cost visibility for IDE and agent work, and care about pay-as-you-go pricing.

Where TokenProvider fits

TokenProvider is the pooled-gateway option focused on the frontier coding models. The design goals are narrow and practical:

One OpenAI-compatible base URL for Claude, Claude Code, ChatGPT, and Gemini — a drop-in for Cursor, Cline, Roo Code, and Claude Code.
Pay-as-you-go, metered per request with a full usage log — see the model, tokens, and cost of every call (model your spend with the cost calculator).
Smart routing & failover across upstream capacity to reduce 429 rate-limit errors vs a single key.

It is an independent third-party service and is not affiliated with Anthropic, OpenAI, or Google. If you need vendor contracts, an SLA, or a BAA, use the direct API.

One endpoint for Claude, GPT & Gemini — pay per token

$1 minimum top-up, per-request billing, cancel anytime.

FAQ

What's the difference between an aggregator and a pooled gateway?

OpenRouter has direct provider relationships and routes at about list price plus a platform fee. A pooled gateway is an independent third party reselling capacity it holds — usually pay-as-you-go and often below list, with a different terms and trust profile to evaluate.

Which is best for Cursor, Cline, or Claude Code?

Any OpenAI-compatible endpoint works. A unified gateway or aggregator lets you point one base URL at every model and switch by model name — simpler than a key per vendor.

When should I just use the direct API?

When you need enterprise contracts, a signed SLA, a BAA for regulated data, day-zero models, or to keep third parties out of your security chain.

Is a pooled gateway cheaper than OpenRouter?

Often on a per-token basis, because it's pay-as-you-go on pooled capacity while an aggregator adds a platform fee on top of provider price. The trade-off is the direct provider relationship and breadth an aggregator gives you.