AI images with your own API key
You can make AI images with your own API key by connecting the provider account you already pay for, so each image is made on your account and billed to you by the provider at their price. Plurum works this way on every plan. You paste a key on Platforms, and from then on each generation goes from your Mac straight to that provider, never through us. Plurum adds nothing to the price.
The example: a bakery on three providers
Ovenbird is a fictional bakery in Plurum's demo studio. Its pictures were made on three connected providers, each on its own key, all filed to the one client.
What each cost. The cooling rack was a 2K image at $0.0672 (rates as of 4 August 2026). The bag was a 1K image at $0.0133 (rates as of 11 September 2026). The clip was an eight-second 720p video with one reference picture, at $1.13 (rates as of 12 September 2026). Each figure is Plurum's estimate from its rate card, shown before the spend and kept on the client's statement. The bill itself came from each provider, to the account the key belongs to.
We made these through the assistant on the demo; the Generate route in the app does the same thing by hand.
How it works in Plurum
- Open Platforms and choose Add key on a provider. "Where do I get a key?" beside the field points to the provider's own page.
- Paste the key. Plurum stores it on your Mac and never shows it again in full, and sends it only to the provider it belongs to; the card shows it masked, beside what you have spent on that provider this month.
- Make something on Generate. The models your keys can reach are the ones offered. The estimate is on the button before you press it.
- Change or remove a key from the same card, with Manage.
What each provider does in Plurum
| Provider | Images | Video | Writing: Suggest, Refine, Shotlists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| OpenAI | Yes, and all editing | No | Yes |
| fal | Yes | Yes | No |
| Anthropic | No | No | Yes |
| xAI | No | No | Yes |
You need one key that makes images. For Suggest, Refine and Shotlists you also need one that writes. A Google or an OpenAI key does both.
What it does not do
- Free is free of Plurum, not of your provider. The Free plan costs nothing, and every image on it is still billed by your provider. It covers one client and 25 images a month, images only.
- Editing needs an OpenAI key. Edit, and the Region and Pins tools, run on OpenAI's image models. Without that key the Edit view says so.
- Video is on the paid plans. Business, Studio and Team.
- The prices are estimates. They come from Plurum's rate card with the date they were set. Your provider's bill is the real figure.
- A model is offered only if one of your keys reaches it. Plurum does not resell access, so it cannot offer a model on an account you do not have.
Related
- Your keys, your machine: where your work is kept and who you pay.
- Making a shot: Generate, step by step.
- Statements and your account: what each client's work cost.
Questions people ask
Do I need an API key to use Plurum?
Yes. Plurum makes nothing on its own account; every image is made on a key you connect.
Which API key should I start with?
One that makes images and writes. A Google or an OpenAI key does both.
Does Plurum add a markup?
No. You pay the provider directly, at their price.
Where is my key kept?
On your Mac. Plurum never shows it again in full, and sends it only to the provider it belongs to.
Is Plurum free if I bring my own key?
The Free plan is. Your provider still bills you for each image.
Who made this
Plurum is coming soon, for Mac.
Register your interest
Plurum is nearly ready. Leave your details and we'll write to you when your plan opens - that's all we'll use them for.