BYOK

A ChatGPT alternative where you bring your own API key

Choose your provider and model, while Hermify hosts the persistent agent runtime.

Hermify Starter is BYOK: bring an OpenAI, Anthropic, OpenRouter, or compatible API key, then pay your model provider directly for its usage. Hermify covers the hosted runtime and its dashboard controls.

Why choose a BYOK agent runtime

Your AI provider bills you directly for model usage, so provider terms and usage controls stay with that account.

You can choose a provider and model based on the trade-off you want between capability, speed, and cost.

Hermify handles the hosted Hermes runtime separately from the model provider.

BYOK explained

BYOK ("bring your own key") means you keep your relationship with OpenAI, Anthropic, OpenRouter, or another compatible provider. That provider charges you directly for model usage.

Hermify hosts the runtime and gives you dashboard controls. Your provider supplies the model and applies its own usage limits, pricing, and policies.

How to evaluate the cost

A bundled chat subscription combines an interface and model access under that product’s terms.

Hermify Starter is hosting plus your provider bill, so the total depends on the provider, model, and amount of usage you choose.

OpenRouter can be a flexible BYOK option because it lets you access multiple models with one provider account.

Start with a provider you already use

Sign up to Hermify Starter, add your existing API key, configure Telegram if you need it, and complete the hosted setup. If you already use OpenAI or Anthropic, you can start with that provider account.

Choose Pro if you prefer managed model access, or Starter when you want to keep provider choice and model billing in your own account.

BYOK plans

Starter

$19/mo

BYOK on shared infrastructure (per-user isolated container).

Pro

$29/mo

Managed AI access included if you want to skip BYOK.

Dedicated

$49/mo

Private server with BYOK or included AI access.

BYOK ChatGPT alternative FAQ

Which providers does BYOK support?

OpenAI, Anthropic, OpenRouter, and any OpenAI-compatible endpoint. OpenRouter is the most flexible: one key gives you access to hundreds of models including GPT-4, Claude, Llama, Mistral, and more.

Will it cost less than ChatGPT Plus?

It depends on your model, provider pricing, and usage. Compare the Hermify hosting fee plus your provider’s expected usage with the subscription you are considering.

Can I switch models?

Yes. Change the configured model at any time from the dashboard. With OpenRouter you can switch between hundreds of models with the same key.

Do you see my prompts?

No. With BYOK, prompts go from your runtime directly to your AI provider. Hermify never reads or logs them.

Can I start without BYOK?

Yes. Hermify Pro ($29/mo) includes managed AI access. You can start there and switch to BYOK Starter later if you want more control.