Cheap tokens are only useful when the model can complete the task. Compare model quality, context, output cost, and billing before choosing an API for Cline, Codex, Claude Code, or OpenCode.
A coding agent sends repeated prompts containing files, tool output, plans, and previous decisions. The cheapest API is therefore not always the one with the lowest input rate. Output quality, retry frequency, context limits, latency, and cache behavior affect the cost of a completed task.
Use a lower-cost model for routine explanations and tests, then route difficult debugging, architecture, and multi-file work to a stronger model.
| Model | Input | Output | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPT-6 Luna | $1.50 | $8 | Routine coding, tests, docs |
| Grok 4.7 | $1 | $5 | Fast general coding |
| GPT-6 Sol | $8 | $40 | Complex agents and reasoning |
| Claude Opus 5.5 | $5 | $25 | Review and careful engineering |
Metered provider accounts are flexible, but a coding agent can spend more than expected during retries or long sessions. Prepaid token packs create a hard budget ceiling and make it easier to test an agent without attaching a primary credit card.
APItokendeal provides one OpenAI-compatible endpoint for supported models. Configure your agent once, then change the model ID when you need a different quality or cost tier.
Use the catalog model ID with any OpenAI-compatible client:
from openai import OpenAI