If you turn on Auto Recharge, OpenRouter will automatically charge your payment method whenever your credit balance drops below a threshold you set, without asking you each time.
This analysis describes what OpenRouter's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
The terms authorize recurring automatic charges under the Auto Recharge feature; users who enable this setting should monitor their threshold settings, as charges occur automatically and each new purchase starts a new 24-hour refund window.
The updated terms establish that users are responsible for all account activity and charges occurring under their API credentials, with the exception of activity directly caused by OpenRouter's breach of the terms. Users are required to promptly notify OpenRouter of any actual or suspected compromise or unauthorized use of API credentials. OpenRouter reserves the right to suspend, revoke, or limit API credentials or account access if OpenRouter reasonably believes doing so is necessary to protect the service, the user, OpenRouter, or any third party. Additionally, promotional credits provided by OpenRouter have no cash value, cannot be refunded or exchanged except under specific conditions, are non-transferable between accounts, and expire on dates specified at issuance or in accordance with the terms. You can manage your API credentials through your account settings and should promptly contact OpenRouter if you suspect unauthorized access.
View change record →The updated terms clarify that enabling prompt logging automatically activates chat logging as well, and grant OpenRouter a perpetual, worldwide license to use your content for service provision and commercial purposes. This includes the explicit right to license or sell your user content in anonymized form. Users accessing Stealth Program models must now also agree to a separate End User License Agreement. You can disable prompt logging in your account settings if you do not wish to grant these permissions.
View change record →The Auto Recharge feature authorizes OpenRouter to initiate charges to the user's stored payment method automatically when credits fall below a user-defined threshold; each auto-recharge transaction is subject to the same 24-hour refund window and platform fee non-refundability.
How other platforms handle this
If a payment is not successfully processed, due to expiration, insufficient funds, or otherwise, you remain responsible for any uncollected amounts and authorize us to continue billing the Payment Method, as it may be updated.
You also authorize us to retry any failed authorizations. We may use data provided to us by our partners to determine when to schedule such retries.
During the Subscription Period, you will be billed for the Subscription Fees on a recurring basis, as set out on our Platform (Billing Cycle).
"When purchasing Credits, you will have the option to automatically add Credits to your account by charging the payment method of your choosing when your available Credits are below a threshold amount you have set on your account ("Auto Recharge"). If you elect the Auto Recharge option, you authorize OpenRouter to automatically charge payments to your account. You may update or cancel Auto Recharge at any time through your account page.Excerpt from OpenRouter's Terms of Service
(1) REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Automatic recurring charges engage the FTC's guidelines on negative option marketing and recurring billing disclosures.
Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.
Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint" to find your state's direct complaint form
Get the research letter
Companies change their terms quietly. We read every version and catch what actually changed. One email a week on the changes that matter and what they mean.
The terms authorize recurring automatic charges under the Auto Recharge feature; users who enable this setting should monitor their threshold settings, as charges occur automatically and each new purchase starts a new 24-hour refund window.
The Auto Recharge feature authorizes OpenRouter to initiate charges to the user's stored payment method automatically when credits fall below a user-defined threshold; each auto-recharge transaction is subject to the same 24-hour refund window and platform fee non-refundability.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 230 platforms. See the full comparison.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by OpenRouter.