This policy describes how Boundless API charges for the Service. It is incorporated into our Terms of Service.
1. Overview
Boundless uses a prepaid credits model:
- All prices are in USD
- You add credits via Stripe (credit card)
- Usage is deducted per API request based on actual token consumption
- No subscription required for pay-as-you-go
2. Pricing
2.1 Per-Model Token Pricing
Each model has separate input and output prices per 1 million tokens, listed on our Pricing page and in the dashboard.
Additional charges may apply for:
- Image tokens
- Reasoning/thinking tokens (where applicable)
- Per-request fees (certain image/audio models)
2.2 Platform Fee
A 5% platform fee is applied at credit purchase (similar to industry routers). Inference pricing itself is not marked up beyond listed model rates.
Example: $100 purchase → $95 credits + $5 platform fee.
2.3 Price Changes
We may change model prices when upstream providers change rates. We will update the pricing page and provide reasonable notice for material changes. Continued use after notice constitutes acceptance.
3. How Charges Are Calculated
- You send an API request
- The upstream provider processes it and returns token counts
- Boundless calculates cost:
(input_tokens × input_rate) + (output_tokens × output_rate) - Cost is deducted from your credit balance
- Failed requests with zero completion tokens are not charged (see Error Codes)
Charges appear in Dashboard → Activity with 4-decimal precision.
4. Free and Promotional Credits
4.1 Welcome Credits
New accounts may receive $5 signup bonus (amount subject to change):
- No credit card required to start
- Limited to Starter model pool and rate limits
- Non-refundable, non-transferable
- Subject to Acceptable Use Policy anti-abuse rules
- May expire after 30 days if unused (if expiration is enabled)
4.2 Promotional Credits
Bonus credits from referrals, campaigns, or surveys:
- Cannot be refunded
- May have model or time restrictions
- Forfeited on account termination for abuse
5. Credit Balance
5.1 Minimum Balance
API requests require a positive balance. If balance reaches zero, requests return 402 Payment Required (or equivalent error).
Minimum first purchase: $10 (after signup bonus are exhausted).
5.2 Credit Expiration
Purchased credits do not expire while your account remains active and in good standing.
We reserve the right to expire inactive account balances after 24 months of account inactivity, with 30 days email notice.
5.3 Auto-Recharge
Optional. See Auto-Recharge Authorization.
6. Spend Limits
You may configure:
- Hard spend cap: API blocked when reached
- Daily/monthly budgets: Email alerts at thresholds
- Per-key limits: Cap spend per API key
We recommend setting a hard cap before production launch.
7. Taxes
Sales tax may be collected via Stripe Tax where required. You are responsible for any applicable taxes not collected at checkout.
Business customers may provide tax ID for exemption where valid.
8. Invoices and Receipts
- Stripe sends email receipts for each purchase
- Dashboard → Billing → download invoice history
- Invoices show: date, amount, credits added, platform fee, tax
Only consumed usage is reflected in usage reports; unused credits remain as balance.
9. Billing Disputes
If you believe you were charged incorrectly:
- Check Dashboard → Activity for request details
- Note the request ID and timestamp
- Email support@boundlessapi.com within 30 days
We will investigate and credit your account for confirmed billing errors.
10. Account Suspension
Unpaid balances, chargebacks, or Terms violations may result in suspension. Suspended accounts cannot make API calls. See Refund Policy for balance handling.
11. Related Documents
12. Contact
support@boundlessapi.com