Claude API Relay Recommendations and Like-for-Like Pricing
Choose a Claude model and route class to compare official per-million-token input and output prices with model-level API verification.
Recommendation requirements
A provider must publish a price for the selected model and pass that exact model on our test account before entering the verified shortlist.
Fair comparison
Premium and direct routes are separated from reverse, pooled, Kiro, and other economy routes.
Same-model price and paid API evidence
Six provider profiles: compare input and output rates for the same model, then inspect the actual request outcomes. Live rankings and subscription estimates may differ from this build-time snapshot.
Claude Opus 5 · premium routes
| Provider | Price group | Input / 1M | Output / 1M | Source date | API passed / total | Latest test | P50 total | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LinksAPI | Dedicated CC Max | ¥3.4 | ¥17 | 2026-09-25 | 4 / 4 | 2026-09-29 | 3.48 s | Users prioritizing a provider-labeled premium route |
| H API | Claude Max | ¥6.4 | ¥32 | 2026-09-25 | 3 / 3 | 2026-09-25 | 6.72 s | Claude Code or VS Code users who accept a client-only route |
| UU API | CC full-capability MAX - CC client only | ¥6.8 | ¥34 | 2026-09-25 | 1 / 3 | 2026-09-25 | 3.61 s | Claude Code or VS Code users who accept a client-only route |
| APINebula | Claude Code global protected route | ¥6.8 | ¥34 | 2026-09-25 | 3 / 4 | 2026-09-29 | 2.73 s | Claude Code or VS Code users who accept a client-only route |
| boxying | Claude official route | ¥8 | ¥40 | 2026-09-25 | 2 / 11 | 2026-09-25 | 2.66 s | Users prioritizing a provider-labeled premium route |
| OpenOx | direct | ¥19.2 | ¥96 | 2026-09-24 | 3 / 3 | 2026-09-27 | 3.81 s | Users prioritizing a provider-labeled premium route |
Prices are provider-published pay-as-you-go rates, not subscription equivalents or reconciled charges. API samples cover the named model, but the test key's actual upstream group is not consistently recorded and may differ from the quoted group. P50 is successful end-to-end response time, not time to first token. A completed call does not prove model identity.
Frequently asked questions
How should I choose a Claude API relay?
Select the exact Claude model and route type first. Then compare input and output rates, successful paid API samples, response time, client restrictions, and billing evidence. Do not compare a pooled Claude Code route directly with a provider-labeled official or direct route.
Does Claude Code compatibility mean the general Anthropic API works?
No. Some keys and routes are restricted to Claude Code or another designated client. A general Anthropic Messages API request must be tested separately.
Does a successful Claude request prove the upstream model is genuine?
No. It verifies only that the tested key, model ID, protocol, and route returned a response at that time. Model identity and wallet billing require separate evidence.
Answer summary
- Latest test date
- Providers covered
- 6
- Models / protocols
- claude-fable-5 / claude-fable-5-1 / claude-opus-5 +1 more · Anthropic / ClaudeCode / OpenAI
- Successful / total samples
- 69 / 122
- Price / billing verified
- 6/6 price · 2/6 billing
- Still unverified
- Model identity, every Claude Code workflow, future uptime and unmatched billing
- One-sentence conclusion
- Compare the same Claude model and route class; a passing request does not prove every Claude Code workflow or the upstream model identity.