Most AI products bundle model access into a subscription and hide token economics behind a flat fee. Consensusia takes the opposite path: Bring Your Own Key (BYOK). You connect OpenRouter or direct provider keys; we orchestrate the debate. You see exactly what each session costs at the API layer.
What BYOK gives you
- Model choice: swap GPT-4o, Claude, Gemini, or Mixtral without renegotiating a vendor contract.
- Cost transparency: a typical Pro debate is ~9 API calls; Expert ~16 — predictable, not opaque.
- No double margin: you pay your provider per token; Consensusia bills for orchestration only.
- Key hygiene: keys are encrypted (AES-256), used only during debates, deletable anytime.
OpenRouter vs. multiple keys
OpenRouter is the fastest on-ramp: one key, dozens of models, automatic diversity across committee agents. Individual keys (OpenAI + Anthropic + Google) work too if you already have enterprise agreements — Consensusia assigns different providers per agent when possible.
What to budget
With mid-tier models on OpenRouter, expect roughly €0.05–0.50 per debate depending on plan depth (rounds and agents). Heavy users running 15–30 debates per month still often spend less on API than on a second SaaS subscription that bundles opaque credits.
When BYOK is not for you
If you want zero setup and never want to see an API dashboard, a bundled chat product is simpler. BYOK is for founders and operators who treat AI as infrastructure — and want committee-grade debate without surrendering control.