How to Get 8 Free AI API Keys in 2026 (No Credit Card)

In this video, I'm breaking down 8 providers that give you free AI API keys — Google Gemini, Groq, OpenRouter, Mistral, Z.ai GLM, Cohere, Cloudflare and NVIDIA. When your Cursor or Claude Code limits run out, or you need an API key for an automation, you can switch between these free providers and keep working without paying. I'll walk you through creating each API key, finding the right base URL, and plugging it into Claude Code, Cursor, Hermes Agent and n8n step by step — errors included, nothing cut. This breakdown will show you how to use free AI APIs in any tool — shifting your mindset from "I hit my limit, I'm stuck" to "if one stops working, I switch to the next." 🔗 Resources & Useful Links - Free API Keys Document (all 8 providers + base URLs): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-AXyJJ5XQ2yNoaGzEl6zWYHRVwtnd7y_ybDO4xCkVKg/edit?usp=sharing - Google AI Studio (Gemini API): https://aistudio.google.com - Groq Console: https://console.groq.com - OpenRouter: https://openrouter.ai - Mistral Console: https://console.mistral.ai - Z.ai (GLM API): https://z.ai - Cohere: https://dashboard.cohere.com - Cloudflare Workers AI: https://developers.cloudflare.com/workers-ai - NVIDIA Build: https://build.nvidia.com 📘 Timestamps 00:00:00 – Introduction/Demo 00:00:15 – Why You Need Free API Keys 00:01:08 – Base URL vs API Key Explained 00:01:38 – Setting Up API Keys in Claude Code 00:02:46 – Provider 1: Google Gemini (AI Studio) 00:03:06 – Project-Level vs Global Settings 00:04:00 – Creating a Gemini API Key 00:04:22 – Finding the Right Base URL 00:05:17 – Provider 2: Groq Free Limits 00:06:01 – Creating a Groq API Key 00:06:50 – Adding the Groq Endpoint 00:08:04 – Reloading the Window to Apply Changes 00:09:44 – Using Groq Models in Cursor 00:11:12 – Adding Custom Model IDs in Cursor 00:11:52 – Connecting Providers in Hermes Agent 00:13:00 – Paid vs Free: Why I Prefer OpenRouter 00:13:48 – OpenRouter Free Models and Limits 00:14:41 – Building a Chat Dashboard with Claude Code 00:15:58 – Creating an OpenRouter API Key 00:16:30 – Running GLM 5.2 in Hermes via OpenRouter 00:17:16 – Using Groq in n8n 00:17:35 – All 8 Providers: GLM, Cohere, Cloudflare, NVIDIA 00:18:20 – Testing the Custom Chat Interface 00:19:36 – Protecting API Keys with .env Rules 00:20:27 – Mistral Free Plan Reality Check 00:21:20 – Which Free Providers Actually Work 00:21:58 – Outro/Conclusion 📌 What this video covers Here's what you'll learn in this video: - 8 providers that give free AI API keys, with their real free limits - The difference between an API key and a base URL — and how to override it - How to use free API keys in Claude Code, Cursor, Hermes Agent and n8n - Building your own AI chat dashboard with a free API key - Keeping your API keys safe with .env files and AI rules 🚀 Tools & Stack Mentioned Free API Providers: Google Gemini (AI Studio), Groq, OpenRouter, Mistral, Z.ai GLM, Cohere, Cloudflare Workers AI, NVIDIA AI Tools: Claude Code, Cursor, Hermes Agent, OpenClaw Automation: n8n Models: GLM 5.2, GPT-OSS, Llama 🎯 This is perfect for: - Cursor and Claude Code users who keep hitting usage limits - n8n builders who need a free chat model for automations - Hermes Agent and OpenClaw users looking for free providers - Beginners who don't know what a base URL or API key is - Freelancers who want to build AI tools without API bills You don't need to pay for every AI experiment. Keep these 8 free providers ready, switch when one hits its limit, and keep building. Save this video so you have the list when you need it. 👋 WHO AM I? I'm Vivek Mishra — a performance marketing expert and trainer. I work with service-based and e-commerce brands and teach practical skills around marketing, AI tools, and digital systems. Everything I teach comes from doing it myself. 📩 Questions? Drop them in the comments — I personally reply. 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivekmishra.ai/ #FreeAPI #APIKeys #OpenRouter #ClaudeCode #n8n