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AI Agent Subscriptions
Which subscriptions work as logins, which need API keys, and which tools can actually consume each plan.
THE SHORT VERSION
Use subscriptions for humans. Use API keys for systems.
Subscription logins are powerful when a client supports them. API keys are more portable. The best agent stack uses both.
The trick is knowing which subscriptions can be used as logins, which ones need API keys, and which tools can actually consume each plan. Here is the clean operator map.
ACCESS TYPES
There are three ways agents get model access.
Subscription login
Best when the agent client supports OAuth or account login. You pay a flat monthly subscription and let supported tools use that subscription's usage pool.
- Examples
- ChatGPT / Codex login, Claude / Claude Code login
Universal API key
Best when you want one credential that works inside agent platforms, scripts, automations, and custom apps. Usually metered or tied to a cloud subscription.
- Examples
- Ollama Cloud, OpenRouter, direct OpenAI or Anthropic API keys
Platform-native app
Best when the tool itself is the work surface. Great for daily creative, coding, and review work, but not always reusable by every external agent shell.
- Examples
- Claude, ChatGPT, Claude Code, Codex CLI
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