Dolphin LLM vs mid-size open models on OpenRouter
Updated · prices checked on that date
Dolphin LLM serves its own uncensored model. OpenRouter and DeepInfra sell mid-size open-weight chat models from many providers. We took a popular one in the same size class as a price reference; here is how prices and terms compare.
Key points
- Most providers charge $0.10 per 1M input and $0.89–$1.00 per 1M output tokens; Dolphin LLM charges $0.15 and $0.50.
- OpenRouter adds a 5.5% fee when you buy credit on its Standard plan; Dolphin LLM adds no fee.
- Both offer a long context: about 256,000–262,000 tokens at the providers, 262,144 at Dolphin LLM.
- Output-heavy workloads cost less on Dolphin LLM; input-heavy ones with long prompts can cost less elsewhere.
Prices in the same size class
| Where | Input / 1M | Output / 1M | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphin LLM | $0.15 | $0.50 | 262,144 |
| OpenRouter · CoreWeave (fp8) | $0.10 | $0.89 | 262,000 |
| OpenRouter · AkashML, Parasail (fp8) | $0.10 | $0.90 | 262,000 |
| OpenRouter · DeepInfra (fp8) | $0.10 | $0.95 | 262,000 |
| OpenRouter · Venice | $0.10 | $1.00 | 256,000 |
| OpenRouter · Darkbloom (fp4) | $0.05 | $0.70 | 262,000 |
| DeepInfra direct | $0.10 | $0.95 | 256,000 |
OpenRouter passes the provider's list price through without a markup on inference, and charges a 5.5% fee on credit purchases on its Standard plan.
What a request costs
| Request | Dolphin LLM | OpenRouter · CoreWeave, incl. 5.5% fee |
|---|---|---|
| Chat turn: 4,000 in, 2,000 out | $0.0016 | $0.0023 |
| Long answer: 1,000 in, 8,000 out | $0.00415 | $0.0076 |
| Long document: 50,000 in, 1,000 out | $0.0080 | $0.0062 |
The lower output price wins when the model writes a lot: chat, stories, code. When you send long prompts and get short answers, the lower input price of the other providers wins.
Context
The providers serve this model with a context of about 256,000–262,000 tokens. Dolphin LLM serves 262,144 tokens, prompt and answer together, so long documents fit on both.
Behaviour and billing
Dolphin LLM serves its own uncensored model, tuned to answer lawful adult requests without refusals, and updates it over time without changing the model ID. Billing is prepaid by card or crypto, without a purchase fee; credit never expires and failed requests are free. OpenRouter routes between providers and gives one bill for many models.
Which one to choose
- Choose OpenRouter if you want many models behind one key.
- Choose Dolphin LLM if your workload is output-heavy, if you want an uncensored model, or if you want prepaid billing without a fee.
Sources
Prices change. Check each provider's page before you decide.
Questions and answers
Which model does Dolphin LLM run?
Our own uncensored chat model, served on our own servers. We update it as better versions appear; the model ID stays uncensored, so your code does not change.
Why is the output price different?
Dolphin LLM runs its model on its own GPU servers and sets its own price list: $0.15 per 1M input and $0.50 per 1M output tokens. Providers on OpenRouter set theirs independently.
More guides
Dolphin LLM vs the OpenAI APIDolphin LLM next to OpenAI GPT-6 Luna and GPT-6.1 Terra: price per 1M tokens, context window, data policy, billing and when each one fits.
Hosted API vs renting a GPU for a mid-size modelWhat it costs to run a mid-size open-weight model on a rented GPU (RunPod, Vast.ai, Lambda) against paying per token on Dolphin LLM, with a break-even calculation.