Guide
What is an LLM API Gateway?
An LLM API gateway is a single web endpoint that accepts your request, translates it into the format each AI model expects, and returns one unified response. Instead of integrating a dozen different APIs, you integrate once.
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What is an LLM API gateway?
It is middleware between your app and many large language models. You send one request format; the gateway handles authentication, routing, format translation, streaming and usage tracking for whichever model actually serves the request.
Why use an LLM API gateway?
Maintaining separate integrations for OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and others is slow and error-prone. A gateway centralizes them behind one key, one error shape and one billing flow, so you can switch or A/B test models without rewriting code.
One integration
Write against one endpoint and reach every supported model.
Model flexibility
Swap or compare models by changing a single field, not your whole client.
Unified billing
One balance, one invoice, predictable prepaid plans.
How zcloud's gateway works
zcloud runs one OpenAI-compatible gateway in front of every model it sells. Every request — chat/completions, responses, or Anthropic messages — flows through the same key, the same rate metering and the same settlement ledger, so behavior stays identical across the whole catalog.
Frequently asked questions
Is an LLM gateway the same as an API aggregator?
Close, but a gateway focuses on a unified protocol and billing, while aggregators focus on breadth of sources. zcloud combines both: one protocol plus a curated, discounted catalog.
Does a gateway add latency?
A well-built gateway adds only milliseconds of overhead in exchange for routing, metering and a single integration point. zcloud keeps overhead minimal and streams responses.
Which protocols does zcloud's gateway support?
OpenAI chat/completions and responses, plus the Anthropic messages protocol — so existing SDKs work unchanged.
How much does the gateway cost?
You pay for models, not for the gateway. Prepaid token plans start at $1, and PAYG rates run up to ~95% below official pricing.