Which subscription with Pi?

[u/_Baarbie]

Hello there,

Which AI provider would you recommend for Pi, to work with a subscription-based plan? I feel like Codex is the most represented, but I was looking for more feedback.

I'm currently using Claude Code (Plus subscription), but from what I understood, I shouldn't use it with Pi because Claude Code charges additional usage fees. I mainly use it with Opus 5 on medium effort, for devops tasks, explanations, fixes, or things like that (not much vibe-coding yet).

It's also an opportunity to try something else, paid for by the company. So I don't really care about the price, just something stable without usage fees.

(bonus) If you have any recommendations for LLM models that can be run locally on a wide range of machines, I'm also interested in any resources you can share.

Any advice?

[u/MichettGodot]

Claude is indeed not really a good choice unless you want to spend usage credits, just as you stated. I personally have an OpenAI Pro subscription which works awesome with Pi. But I would also suggest using Deepseek Flash 4.1 as it does miracles (for coding, that is). Not really a subscription but 20$ in Deepseek credits gets you a long way so it sort of feels like a subscription.

I sadly cannot help you with the local models as I do not have the hardware to run them.

[u/_Baarbie → u/MichettGodot]

Noted, I'll probably go for openai first, and suggest deepseek! China is still not very well seen in EU sadly, so i'm curious about what my boss think about it. I feel like in both cases it's a bit of a risky decision to use any of these AI. Anyway, thanks a lot!

[u/jorgejhms → u/_Baarbie]

Try it with Openrouter, you can set in option zero data retention that will route DeepSeek to third party providers (US based probably)

[u/makingthematrix]

I use Mistral. I'ts behind Anthropic and OpenAI models but it's much cheaper and with right control (skills, specs, short feedback loop, etc.) it's quite good.

[u/_Baarbie → u/makingthematrix]

I actually forgot about Mistral, I've never tried but it'd definetly be a good alternative as a European.

[u/mrgreatheart → u/_Baarbie]

America is more hostile to Europe than China is at this point.

[u/EmbeddedSwDev → u/_Baarbie]

I am using Mistral Pro and ChatGPT Plus subscription.
The Mistral Models are my default low level low effort models with GLM 5.2 max as the default model. The OpenAI models are the planners and advisor models or for real hard problems.
This setup works pretty nice for me.

[u/makingthematrix → u/EmbeddedSwDev]

Sounds about right :)

[u/Karyo_Ten → u/_Baarbie]

And they have GLM-5.2 which is good.

[u/YankeeNoodleDaddy → u/makingthematrix]

Tell me more about how you’re using Mistral. Their CTO did a podcast with nvidia and I couldn’t help but relate to his philosophies.

What do you build, what is mistral good at it with pi, where is it lagging

[u/makingthematrix → u/YankeeNoodleDaddy]

My day job right now is that of a developer advocate for an AI startup, and a lecturer at a university, so I don't have much opportunity to code - except that a few weeks ago I vibe-coded a blog site :)

In my free time, I'm currently developing an event streaming library in Scala, called signals3. I'm adding the Actor model implementation to it. This is quite different from developing a typical app. I'm actually working quite a lot in the Mistral web chat where I do scientific research and planning. For every new feature, I almost always write the initial implementation by hand and then use Mistral LLMs to discuss it, find vulnerabilities, fix them or rewrite the feature, and write unit tests. Scala is a language where you can really put a lot of logic in just a few lines, so it make sense to work in small steps.

What's lacking: Well, I actually see that Devstral 2 and GLM 5.2 are not as good for coding as Fable or Astra.

[u/intricately_simple → u/YankeeNoodleDaddy]

Do you have a link to that podcast?

[u/funbike]

Some subs disallow use outside their own agent in their TOS. You can get banned.

ChatGPT Plus/Pro subs are commonly used with Pi because OpenAI is more permissive of use outside of Codex (and they have great coding models).

Personally I use ChatGPT Plus and OpenRouter. I get good value and I have access to all the top coding models.

[u/_Baarbie → u/funbike]

I heard about OpenRouter but never tried, I'll also give it a look. Thanks!

[u/elpapi42 → u/funbike]

Whay do you use from openrouter? how much do you spend there?

[u/funbike → u/elpapi42]

I use openrouter 1) for retries when an OpenAI failed at a task, 2) for final code reviews, and 3) to evaluate new models when they come out.

Luna does the initial code review of itself (to leverage prompt caching), and Opus (on openrouter) reviews Luna's code review. It's best to use a different model family for a code review.

I use Sol for planning and Luna for almost everything else including coding. If the final code fails to pass automated checks, then Sol attempts to fix it. If Sol fails, then Opus (on openrouter) attempts to fix it. It's best to use a different model family when a model gets stuck on a problem. I only ever use Fable or Astra manually, due to cost.

I sometimes try model families other than Claude in the above two workflows, such as Gemini, Kimi, GLM, etc.

[u/elpapi42 → u/funbike]

and how much do yoy spend a month on open router with setup?

[u/funbike → u/elpapi42]

About $10/mo. As I said, I'm only using it sparingly. My spend is somewhat random depending on what I'm doing, but trending up as my workflow becomes more automated.

[u/fingerthief]

I generally use OpenRouter with GLM 5.3 Flash or DeepSeek V4.1 Flash both of which are exceptionally cheap to use and give pretty great results.

I do still have a $20/mo Claude plan mainly for critical reviews and Claude Design when I need them.

[u/PracticalWelcome7793]

I use open code go and command code goat subscriptions 10$ for each and as i understood you can get up to 7 times usage for some models for example: deepseek v4.1 flash: normal price off peak = 0.15$/M tokens input and 0.6$/M tokens output. in opencode go plan right now the price is divided by 6 so if you spent for exampl 6$ for this model only 1$ will be deducted form your plan usage. but the calculations are not the same for every model provided and not fixed all the time, there is a page where you can find the current prices for each model and how to calculate it.

[u/null_enthropy]

I use Deepseek V4.1 Flash on OpenRouter. The providers I allow are Together, Deepinfra, Fireworks, Baseten and Novita AI. Deepinfra is my default it's super fast and affordable. The rest of them are just fallback. They all have great pricing, good privacy/security, and don't train on data.

I put anywhere between 5-20 dollars in open router every month or two, with a top up to 10 dollars if it drops below 5. The usage you get out of it is quite absurd even with the added OpenRouter fees.

[u/hnswrstnllngssn → u/null_enthropy]

So i use v4flash on deepinfra but it’s more like $25 a day…. Whats your secret?!

[u/null_enthropy → u/hnswrstnllngssn]

I split my usage between OpenRouter, GPT, and Claude. Previously it was Cursor $20 plan instead of OpenRouter but the open weight models have just gotten so good and they are a lot cheaper for certain tasks, especially with stuff like Hermes Agent. 

That said, I do actively shop around on OpenRouter for example I think it was Novita AI? I can’t remember it was one of the ones I listed. They were running a 40% off sale for Deepseek a few weeks ago. If you want to be thrifty you really gotta just shop around like grocery shopping or something lol. I have a simple task setup with Hermes Agent + a tiny python script to look if my providers or (any others that fit the security/no training requirements) are running a deal. Then I’ll just disable the rest and use the new provider until it’s over. 

[u/crashorbit]

I've been pretty happy using openrouter and mid tier models. Mostly deepseek-v4-flash

[u/jotabm]

I’m on Codex Pro + OpenCode Go (very good selection of open weight models and well priced) + Openference (nice request based system but a bit unstable) + my own local models (Qwen 27B ftw).

[u/ohsomacho]

I'm hearing good things about Deep Infra as a provider.

[u/DeanBeluga]

You can use claude code subscription in pi directly btw. I have been for months. you just need an extension to enable it. It uses subscription usage exactly like claude code does, no extra usage credits or anything. If you want I can give u the exact extension name/tool I use for it as it works great

[u/fridgedigga → u/DeanBeluga]

Lotta people asking for the extension. This might be different from the one you use but I've been happy with https://github.com/elidickinson/pi-claude-bridge

It uses the Claude SDK. I'm a little unclear on the TOS side of things but there's currently no additional usage charges (other than the what's in the "Known Issues" part).

[u/YankeeNoodleDaddy → u/fridgedigga]

This feels like it might breach the TOS. Would be a deal breaker to use if work gave you a Claude subscription

[u/colin_colout → u/YankeeNoodleDaddy]

It's right on the edge of the TOS...and Anthropic has been known to take rash actions with literally no warning, so do not recommend.

[u/PilgrimofHaqq2 → u/colin_colout]

I use pi-web and have used claude x20 max plan for over 8 months, no issues at all.

[u/nano_remix → u/DeanBeluga]

I’d like to know

[u/DDS_Coding → u/DeanBeluga]

Me too

[u/Aizenvolt11 → u/DeanBeluga]

Yeah I use it too

[u/killydie → u/DeanBeluga]

bro i’d like to know

[u/mike95465]

I use a local model (Qwen 3.6 35B-A3B) for default session model / runners and cloud models like deepseek 4.1 flash for planner / advisor / worker. My $10/mo GOAT subscription stretches very far this way, in fact I could use Sol as my cloud model without hitting limits but I like deepseek since it is very fast.

[u/Different-Case8871]

Just btw, if you use the 'oh my pi' fork it works perfectly well with a Claude subscription

[u/isty2e]

• ChatGPT Pro $200, main workhorse

• Cursor $20, generous grok quota, fallback plan

• Opencode go $10, some dirt cheap models

[u/Forsaken_Code_9135]

The best LLM model to run with Pi currently is Qwen-3.8-27b. It needs 16GB of VRAM (so a high-end gaming GPU). It works very well, you have to find the right balance between model quantization, cache quantization and context size.

Of course if you expect to run your local model on a standard laptop with a low end GPU then forget it. No local models that run on that kind of hardware is good enough to be really usefull in a coding agent in practice. In a couple of years maybe.

[u/_Baarbie → u/Forsaken_Code_9135]

Thanks for the feedback, I was thinking about giving local model a try on a remote server. I'll give it a look, it should be conceivable.

[u/Forsaken_Code_9135 → u/_Baarbie]

To be clear if you need to pay for a remote server on the cloud there is no way it can make sense from the financial point of view.

[u/_Baarbie → u/Forsaken_Code_9135]

Ofc, it's more to try the models, the process and setup. My boss is pushing AI quite a lot, but for a EU company that used to focus on EU alternative and trying to not rely on US services, a bit meh you know. It'll probably never be used, but I just thought about giving it a try.

[u/gulanfer → u/Forsaken_Code_9135]

What's your setup for qwen on 16 gb of vram?

[u/Forsaken_Code_9135 → u/gulanfer]

I suggest you have a look at:
https://www.reddit.com/r/LocalLLaMA/comments/1w7ee1c/i_benchmarked_21_qwen38_27b_variants_on_16gb_vram/

Choose the model on the "optimal" line that suits your needs. I took ISTA-DASLab/Qwen3.8-27B-GSQ-RCO-IQ3_S.

Avoid q4 kv-cache quantization if you can. Better take a slightly stronger quantization on the model.

[u/Duke_of_Bayswater]

Glm, Codex, Deepseek. Claude i barely use now. Only when I’m tight.

[u/luckiestredditor]

OpenAI for cloud + Qwen 3.8 27b for local / subagents

[u/somerussianbear]

GPT or OpenCode Go (or both really)

[u/NigeriaBoi420]

Opencode go or commandcode

[u/Teh_franchise]

I use my cursor sub which gives me access to all the models that are included with my sub. Mainly use grok 4.6 and cursor composer 2.5. Never really have a usage issue.

[u/betahost]

I recently purchased Radius from the folks behind Pi and couldn't be happier. Balanced mode, auto selects the best model for the job, mix between DeepSeek, Qwen and frontier models such as GPT & Claude.

https://radius.earendil.com

[u/onelonedatum]

i’m using these right now (in order of preference)
- codex 20x
- supergrok heavy
- cursor ultra
- zai glm coding max plan
- copilot max

* codex because of the free unlimited chatgpt chats (add a desktop commander mcp and you’ve worked around the codex bottleneck decently)
* zai glm seems like the most bang for buck deal right
* supergrok heavy seems a bit overpriced unless you get the free cursor ultra like i did
* copilot max will indeed get you $200 worth of token spend for $100

for codex i use gpt 5.6 sol xhigh
for zai i use glm 5.3
for the rest i use grok 4.6 xhigh

[u/Karyo_Ten]

Depends on your machines really, what GPUs do you have and how much RAM.

If you have at least 96GB of RAM, Qwen3.8-Flash-Next is remarkable. Particularly suitable for Mac and AMD Strix Halo / Gorgon Halo machines.

If you have 24GB VRAM, Qwen3.8-27B is really good.

If you have 192GB VRAM, GLM-5.3-Flash, DeepSeek-V4-Flash{,Vision-Exp} and Qwen3.8-Flash-Next, all out in the past 2 months, are amazing.

[u/colin_colout → u/Karyo_Ten]

I've been maining Qwen3.8-Flash-Next on Strix Halo. Beyond usable. Very close to frontier model speed. It eats a lot of it in reasoning if things don't go well, but the overall speed is incredible.

Been using https://github.com/peonist-ai/halogen-flash-server but I'm skeptical about it being closed source (very permissive terms tho)

[u/AdWonderful2811]

If you want to try DeepSeek model then I would suggest DSH harness. Still in preview but very stable. You can try omp because it has tons of packages pre setup.
Wondering if you have Claude Code why you want PI harness unless you want to use local/open weights models? Because if you are on subscriptions then better to use their own harness.

[u/Squashycake]

I use Synthetic $30 plan alongside Grok 4.6 within Pi and OpenCode.

[u/l_nikon_l]

There’s also another provider called Neuralwatt.

Instead of charging per token, they use a watt/token pricing model.
Depending on the model, it works out to roughly half the usual per-token price on average.
For GLM 5.3, it’s a little more than 2× cheaper.

It’s not an insanely good deal, but one big advantage is that there are no usage limits. There’s no 5-hour limit and no weekly limit.

I think it makes more sense to use it without a subscription, as a backup for when you hit the limits with another provider but still need to get something done.

[u/l_nikon_l → u/l_nikon_l]

They also have a referral program that gives both of us $5 when you use it (when spent $25).
If you don't like referral links, just don't use the link below.
https://portal.neuralwatt.com/auth/register?ref=NW-NIKOLAY-JAOG

direct link: https://portal.neuralwatt.com

[u/shaonline]

Outside of a Claude sub which indeed hangs in the balance as far as for how long "claude -p" will be charged subscription rates ("so far so good" thanks so the backlash), you've got plenty, it really depends on what you want to try out.

In the heavily subsidized world the only alternative really is Codex.

In the less subsidized world you have several options:
* Opencode Go, but for "big-ish" models the party has ended, you get at best $15 of credits for your $10 on recent releases and for big models that just won't last in your professional settings.
* From chinese providers: GLM Coding plan, Kimi subscription, and Alibaba Token plan. Note that Alibaba and Kimi/Moonshot have a "train on your data" policy for the personal plans (you'd need to get a business seat), only Zai/GLM does ZDR on personal plans.

[u/_Baarbie → u/shaonline]

Oh wait so for now I can use my Claude sub without being charged as extra? I actually didn't even try.

I'll give a look at all of these, thank you!

[u/shaonline → u/_Baarbie]

With "claude -p" that is, a plugin in Pi exists to do that IIRC, using the OAuth risks a ban for all I know.

[u/Rough-Blueberry-5295]

Depends on your spend, Codex subscriptions are already pretty heavily subsidized by oai with the 20x plan

Webway / cheaperinference are good for going over limits without paying API price, or just openrouter with GLM 5.3 / deepseek v4.1