Google AI Studio API Key — Best Gateways & Alternatives

How to get a Google AI Studio API key

Open Google AI Studio at aistudio.google.com, sign in with a Google account, and click Get API key to create your Google AI Studio API key. That single key calls the Gemini API — Gemini 3.5 Flash ($1.50 / $9 per 1M tokens, with a free tier) and Gemini 3.1 Pro Preview ($2 / $12). It is the quickest route if you only need Gemini.

Prefer one key for everything? Use a gateway

If you also want GPT and Claude, an AI API gateway saves you from managing a Google AI Studio key plus separate OpenAI and Anthropic keys. Novarelay, our top pick, gives you one OpenAI-compatible key for Gemini 3.5 Flash and 3.1 Pro alongside GPT and Claude, at up to 20% below direct rates, with pay-as-you-go credits from $1 and one unified dashboard.

Is a Google AI Studio API key free?

Google AI Studio offers a free tier for Gemini models, with paid rates (for example Gemini 3.5 Flash at $1.50 / $9 per 1M tokens) once you exceed it. A gateway can also expose Gemini on pay-as-you-go credits.

What is the difference between Google AI Studio and Vertex AI?

Google AI Studio is the quickest way to a Gemini API key for developers; Vertex AI is the enterprise Google Cloud platform. A gateway skips both and calls Gemini via an OpenAI-compatible endpoint.

Can one key replace Google AI Studio, OpenAI and Anthropic keys?

Yes. An OpenAI-compatible gateway key can call Gemini, GPT and Claude from one endpoint and one balance, so you don’t need three separate keys.

Last updated: July 2026 · Independent comparison, funded by referral commissions. Model names and trademarks (OpenAI, ChatGPT, GPT, Anthropic, Claude, Google, Gemini) belong to their respective owners and are used for identification only. Pricing is set by each provider and can change — always verify before you build.