# HiAPI > HiAPI provides Responses and Chat Completions for text models and an asynchronous task API for image, video, and audio generation. HiAPI is an AI model platform for developers and creators. Text models run on OpenAI-compatible Responses and Chat Completions endpoints; image, video, and audio models run on one asynchronous task API. Everything is pay-as-you-go in USD — per image, per second of video, per song, or per 1M tokens — with public per-model prices. New accounts get 200 free credits at signup (2,000 credits = 1 USD). Credits are reserved when you submit a task, and refunded automatically if the task fails. API base URL: https://api.hiapi.ai. Send the key as `Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY`. ## Pricing - [Pricing](https://hiapi.ai/en/pricing): public per-model unit prices across image, video, audio, and text models; top up in USD. - [Account balance API](https://hiapi.ai/docs/account-balance/): query remaining balance and total usage in USD via `GET /v1/account/balance`. - Free allowance: 200 credits for new accounts (2,000 credits = 1 USD). Credits are reserved at submission and refunded automatically if a task fails. ## How HiAPI compares - [OpenRouter alternative](https://hiapi.ai/docs/comparisons/openrouter-alternative/): OpenRouter focuses on text-model routing; HiAPI adds production image and video APIs, playground testing, and one central pricing page. - [fal.ai alternative](https://hiapi.ai/docs/comparisons/fal-ai-alternative/): fal.ai offers fast media model access; HiAPI pairs image and video models with transparent pricing, a playground, and one async task workflow. - [Replicate alternative](https://hiapi.ai/docs/comparisons/replicate-alternative/): Replicate is a broad model marketplace; HiAPI is a focused production API with copy-paste examples. ## Get started - [Quickstart](https://hiapi.ai/docs/quickstart/): from sign-up to a first working request. - [Sign up](https://hiapi.ai/en/sign): new accounts receive 200 free credits. - [API keys](https://console.hiapi.ai/en/dashboard/api-keys): create and rotate Bearer keys (requires sign-in). - [Authentication](https://hiapi.ai/docs/authentication/): how API key authentication works. - [Model index](https://hiapi.ai/docs/models.json): machine-readable catalog with capability, pricing, and availability per model; call only entries with `availability: "online"`. - [Model directory](https://hiapi.ai/docs/models/): per-model field descriptions, limits, examples, and pricing links. Do not guess model names or parameters. - [Playground](https://hiapi.ai/en/playground/generate): try models in the browser before writing code. ## Free tools (no sign-up) - [AI Image Generation Cost Calculator](https://hiapi.ai/en/tools/ai-image-generation-cost-calculator): estimate per-image costs and monthly API spend. - [AI Outfit Preview](https://hiapi.ai/en/tools/ai-outfit-preview): preview clothing styles on a portrait. - [AI Product Photo Lab](https://hiapi.ai/en/tools/ai-product-photo-lab): create polished product visuals from a reference. - [Background Remover](https://hiapi.ai/en/tools/background-remover): remove an image background and download a transparent PNG. - [Free AI Image Generator](https://hiapi.ai/en/tools/free-ai-image-generator): generate images online with free trial access. - [Image to Prompt](https://hiapi.ai/en/tools/image-to-prompt): turn a reference image into a copy-ready AI image prompt. - [Free Nano Banana Image Generator](https://hiapi.ai/en/tools/nano-banana-image-generator): create images from a prompt with free trial access. ## API reference - Text: `POST https://api.hiapi.ai/v1/responses` (Responses) or `POST https://api.hiapi.ai/v1/chat/completions` (Chat Completions), per the model's page. - Media: `POST https://api.hiapi.ai/v1/tasks` creates an asynchronous image, video, or audio task; poll `GET https://api.hiapi.ai/v1/tasks/{taskId}` or set `callback.url` for a webhook. If a task fails, the reserved credits are refunded. - [Unified Async API](https://hiapi.ai/docs/async-api/): task lifecycle, status codes, callbacks, and errors. - [Responses API](https://hiapi.ai/docs/text-api/responses/) and [Chat Completions API](https://hiapi.ai/docs/text-api/chat-completions/): request and response fields. - [Image APIs](https://hiapi.ai/docs/collections/ai-image-apis/), [Video APIs](https://hiapi.ai/docs/collections/ai-video-apis/), [Audio APIs](https://hiapi.ai/docs/collections/ai-audio-apis/), [Text APIs](https://hiapi.ai/docs/collections/ai-text-apis/): model collections by capability. - [OpenAPI specification](https://hiapi.ai/docs/hiapi.json): machine-readable schema for all endpoints. - [SDKs](https://hiapi.ai/docs/sdks/): client libraries and request examples. - [MCP server](https://hiapi.ai/docs/for-ai/): hosted remote MCP — connect MCP clients with a HiAPI API key to generate media and query the model catalog. - [Agent Skills](https://github.com/HiAPIAI/hiapi-skills): skill bundles that teach coding agents to use HiAPI. ## Optional - [Changelog](https://hiapi.ai/docs/changelog/): API and documentation updates. - [FAQ](https://hiapi.ai/en/faq): billing, models, and task lifecycle answers. - [Blog](https://hiapi.ai/en/blog): model reviews and integration guides.