---
title: apiToken.sale vs OpenRouter for Claude
description: "Choosing a Claude gateway? Compare apiToken.sale and OpenRouter: a native Anthropic endpoint and prepaid discount vs a multi-provider router."
url: https://apitoken.sale/docs/learn/apitoken-vs-openrouter
language: en
---

# apiToken.sale vs OpenRouter for Claude

Both let you reach Claude without an Anthropic account, but they are built differently. If Claude is your main model, a native Anthropic endpoint keeps things simple.

## Native Anthropic endpoint

apiToken.sale exposes the standard Anthropic Messages API at https://api.apitoken.sale, so Claude Code, Cursor and the Anthropic SDKs work with zero adapters. You are not routing through a generic multi-provider abstraction.

## Prepaid discount, not markup

- Progressive B2C discount up to 80% off official Claude spend.
- One key and balance for Opus, Sonnet and Haiku.
- Card or crypto top-ups that never expire.

## When to choose each

- apiToken.sale — Claude is your main model and you want a native Anthropic endpoint with a discount.
- OpenRouter — you need to route across many providers behind one abstraction.
- Both let you start without an Anthropic account; only apiToken.sale discounts Claude spend directly.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why pick a Claude-native gateway?

If Claude is your primary model, a native Anthropic endpoint means your existing Anthropic tools and SDKs work unchanged.

### Does apiToken.sale mark prices up?

No — it applies a discount to official Claude spend rather than adding a markup.

---
Get a key: https://apitoken.sale/register
More guides: https://apitoken.sale/docs/learn