Groq Free Plan
GroqCloud's $0 Free plan includes API access to open models such as gpt-oss-120b, gpt-oss-20b and Qwen3.8-27B at per-model rate limits; a payment method is needed only to upgrade.
Groq Free Plan is an AI and ML perk from Groq, offering free API access to open models, with no funding required.
Inside Groq Free Plan
- The Free plan costs $0 and includes API access to the models in Groq's free rate-limit table: gpt-oss-120b, gpt-oss-20b, gpt-oss-safeguard-20b and Qwen3.8-27B at 30 requests a minute, 1,000 requests a day, 8,000 tokens a minute and 200,000 tokens a day each, plus Whisper speech-to-text.
- Groq's services agreement does not permit it to use your inputs or outputs to train models unless you grant permission.
- The pay-as-you-go Developer tier raises the limits.
Who it's for
- Funding / backing
- No funding needed
- Geography
- Global
- Recurring / expiry
- Ongoing: the Free plan has no end date.
- Other requirements
- Per-model limits on the Free plan (gpt-oss-120b: 30 requests a minute, 1,000 a day, 200,000 tokens a day); exact limits for your account are on its Limits page.
How to apply for Groq Free Plan
- A payment method / paid account on file
- 1Create a GroqCloud account at console.groq.com and generate an API key; the Free plan applies by default.
- 2Add a payment method only to upgrade to the Developer tier.
Groq Free Plan: common questions
What do you get with Groq Free Plan?
Groq Free Plan offers free API access to open models. The Free plan costs $0 and includes API access to the models in Groq's free rate-limit table: gpt-oss-120b, gpt-oss-20b, gpt-oss-safeguard-20b and Qwen3.8-27B at 30 requests a minute, 1,000 requests a day, 8,000 tokens a minute and 200,000 tokens a day each, plus Whisper speech-to-text. Groq's services agreement does not permit it to use your inputs or outputs to train models unless you grant permission. The pay-as-you-go Developer tier raises the limits.
Who qualifies for Groq Free Plan?
Groq Free Plan is open to any startup, with no funding required. Per-model limits on the Free plan (gpt-oss-120b: 30 requests a minute, 1,000 a day, 200,000 tokens a day); exact limits for your account are on its Limits page.
Do I need to be VC-backed or in an accelerator to get Groq Free Plan?
No. Groq Free Plan is open to any startup that meets the stated criteria, no investor or accelerator backing required.
How do I apply for Groq Free Plan?
Create a GroqCloud account at console.groq.com and generate an API key; the Free plan applies by default. Add a payment method only to upgrade to the Developer tier.
How long do I have to use Groq Free Plan, and does it expire?
Ongoing: the Free plan has no end date.
Is Groq Free Plan available outside the US?
Groq Free Plan is available globally, subject to the provider's terms.
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