Developer guides · API access

# How to choose GPT, Claude, Gemini or Kimi API models

Choose an AI API model by task, protocol, tool support and real cost. Check group access and the current Xinghuo catalog before integrating your application.

Xinghuo AI Gateway · Updated 2026-10-09

Choose GPT, Claude, Gemini or Kimi API access by workload, protocol and budget. A brand name alone does not establish the quality or capabilities of a specific model version. Model, upstream and group limits can differ.

## Build a task-specific checklist

| Workload | Check | Evaluate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Coding and agents | Client protocol, tools, code quality | A small task with explicit acceptance criteria and recorded cost |
| Writing and classification | Language quality, output format, token prices | Identical samples and output limits |
| Images and multimodal | Required inputs, outputs and endpoint | The specific model documentation, not general chat compatibility |
| Long documents and retrieval | Context limits, retrieval quality, cache costs | Real document sizes and input, cache and output usage |

## Choose the protocol before the model

For an OpenAI-compatible SDK or application, use the [API integration guide](https://ai.wfpromax.xyz/guides/en/openai-compatible-api.html). For Claude Code, use the [Messages gateway guide](https://ai.wfpromax.xyz/guides/en/claude-code.html). Availability in a web chat product does not establish support for every API endpoint.

## Why does my key show fewer models?

Keys have group-specific permissions. The [public catalog](https://ai.wfpromax.xyz/available-channels) describes the service; your key access depends on its configuration and `GET /v1/models`. Use exact returned IDs rather than display aliases from another platform.

## Compare real costs

Record ordinary input, output, cache and other billed units separately. Check whether a displayed price is a base rate or already includes a group multiplier. Payment amounts and response character counts are not enough to compare costs. See [token billing](https://ai.wfpromax.xyz/guides/en/token-billing.html).

## Does a listing guarantee a successful request?

No. Credits, rate limits, permissions and upstream availability also affect requests. A timeout, rate limit or ordinary 503 response does not by itself establish that a model was removed. Use the [error guide](https://ai.wfpromax.xyz/guides/en/api-errors.html) to investigate.

## Start with your application

Check the current catalog and account pricing, create a dedicated key and evaluate a small request before increasing usage. Review the [buying guide](https://ai.wfpromax.xyz/guides/en/buying-guide.html) before adding credits.

## Choose a model. Connect your application.

Check current model access and account pricing, then register and buy the credits you need.

 [View models & pricing](https://ai.wfpromax.xyz/available-channels?entry=guide_en_model-selection) [Buy credits](https://ai.wfpromax.xyz/purchase?entry=guide_en_model-selection) [Create an account →](https://ai.wfpromax.xyz/register?entry=guide_en_model-selection)

## Related guides

[What is Xinghuo AI Gateway? API access, models and service scope](https://ai.wfpromax.xyz/guides/en/service.html)[OpenAI-compatible API quickstart: base URL, key and model](https://ai.wfpromax.xyz/guides/en/openai-compatible-api.html)[Claude Code gateway setup: base URL, authentication and model](https://ai.wfpromax.xyz/guides/en/claude-code.html)[AI API token billing explained: input, output and cache](https://ai.wfpromax.xyz/guides/en/token-billing.html)[AI API error guide: 401, 403, 404, 429 and 503](https://ai.wfpromax.xyz/guides/en/api-errors.html)[AI API buying guide: models, pricing, credits and redemption](https://ai.wfpromax.xyz/guides/en/buying-guide.html)[ChatGPT and Claude subscriptions vs API credits: what is different?](https://ai.wfpromax.xyz/guides/en/api-vs-subscription.html)