Free AI with your own key: Groq and OpenRouter step by step
You don't need a paid subscription to use AI every day. With a free key from Groq or OpenRouter you can proofread, summarize and draft text at no cost.
Many AI tools charge a monthly fee. But several providers offer a free plan with limits: you sign up, create a key and use it in any app that accepts one.
This guide explains what that key is, how to get one from Groq and OpenRouter, what each free plan includes and how to paste it into NexoPad to use AI on any web page.
What an API key is (in plain words)
An API key works like a password that identifies your account with an AI provider. When an app uses your key, the provider knows the request comes from you and counts it against your plan.
This is called BYOK, short for *bring your own key*: you pick the provider and the app simply connects you to it. If the provider has a free plan, using AI costs you nothing as long as you stay within its limits.
How to get a free Groq key
Create your account
Go to console.groq.com and sign up. Your account starts on the Free plan, which has usage limits but doesn't charge you anything.
Open the API Keys section
In the console menu, open API Keys (console.groq.com/keys) and click the button to create a new key. Give it a name you'll recognize, such as "NexoPad".
Copy the key and store it
The key starts with gsk_. Copy it right away and keep it somewhere safe. If you lose it, you can delete it and create a new one.
How to get a free OpenRouter key
Create your account
Sign up at openrouter.ai. OpenRouter brings models from many companies together in one place, and some of them are free.
Create the key
Open the Keys page in your account (openrouter.ai/keys) and create a new key. The key starts with sk-or-v1-. Copy it as soon as it appears and keep it somewhere safe.
Pick a free model
Free models have an ID ending in :free. There's also openrouter/free, which picks an available free model for you on each request.
Check your privacy settings
In OpenRouter's privacy settings you decide whether to allow providers that use your text to train their models. If you don't, some free models won't be available. If a free model returns an error, check these settings.
What each free plan includes
| What you get for free | Limits | Good to know | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groq | Free plan | Per minute and per day. The exact numbers are on your account's limits page | Very fast. Models such as openai/gpt-oss-120b or llama-3.1-8b-instant |
| OpenRouter | :free models and the openrouter/free router | 20 requests per minute; 50 per day, or 1,000 if you've bought at least 10 credits | Free models change often, and some providers may use your text for training |
| Mistral AI | Free mode, no credit card | Limited usage and rate limits, shown in your account | Keys are created in the API Keys section of Mistral Studio |
| Cohere | Trial key | 1,000 calls per month; 20 per minute on its chat models | Not allowed for commercial or production use |
How to use your key in NexoPad
Open the AI tab in the side panel
In NexoPad you'll see the Connect API Key screen. Providers with a free plan are listed first under "Free — just sign up": Groq, Mistral AI, Cohere, OpenRouter and Google Gemini.
Choose the provider and model
When you pick a provider, a Model selector appears with several options. To use a different one, choose Custom model... and type its name, for example openrouter/free.
Paste the key and click "Validate & Save"
NexoPad checks the key with the provider before saving it. If the key is valid but your plan has limited quota, it lets you know.
Use it on any page
Select some text to proofread, translate or summarize it, or chat with the AI from the side panel. See real examples in our guide to replying to emails with AI.
How to keep your key safe
- Don't share it: don't paste it into chats, emails, shared documents or screenshots. Anyone who has it can use up your quota.
- One key per app: create a key just for NexoPad and name it. That way you can delete it without affecting your other apps.
- If you think it has leaked, delete it and create a new one. Groq also recommends rotating keys regularly, for example every quarter.
- Be careful with sensitive data: with free models, some providers may keep your text and use it for training. Don't send customers' personal data or passwords.
- In NexoPad, the key stays in your browser and goes straight to the provider; NexoPad doesn't store it on its servers. If you use another browser, you'll need to paste it there too.
FAQ
Is it really free?
Yes, within each provider's limits. Once you go over them, the provider rejects requests until the counter resets, or asks you to move to a paid plan.
Do I need a credit card?
Mistral says its free mode doesn't require one. Groq and OpenRouter don't make this clear on their public pages. On OpenRouter, buying at least 10 credits raises the free-model limit to 1,000 requests per day.
What if I hit the limit?
Wait for it to reset or switch providers. In NexoPad you can save several keys, for example one from Groq and one from OpenRouter, and switch between them from the menu in the AI tab.
Is NexoPad's AI assistant free?
The free plan includes 15 AI uses so you can try it. With the Pro plan ($49 per year) usage is unlimited. Either way, you use your own key. For instruction ideas, see our AI prompts for emails and sales.
Published on October 14, 20267 min read
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