model-cost: A Large Language Model Pricing Comparison Tool in the Terminal

model-cost is a terminal command-line tool that integrates API pricing information for over 300 large language models (including major service providers like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Gemini). It helps developers quickly query and compare the token-based billing costs of different models, addressing the pain point of low efficiency when switching between multiple platforms to check prices.

The LLM ecosystem is booming, but there are significant differences in pricing strategies and token billing methods among various service providers. Developers need to visit multiple official websites to check prices, which is inefficient and prone to missing details. model-cost addresses this pain point by centralizing scattered price information into a terminal tool, reducing decision-making costs.

1. One-stop query: Supports input/output token unit price queries for over 300 models; 2. Multi-model comparison: Compare cost differences between multiple models simultaneously to aid selection; 3. Real-time price updates: Fetch the latest pricing from remote sources to ensure data timeliness.

• Lightweight terminal application: Windows executable program with no complex installation required and low configuration requirements (4GB RAM + 100MB disk space);
• Simple command line: Core commands include list (list models), price <model name> (check price), compare <model1> <model2> (compare), and help (help);
• Extensible architecture: Supports custom configuration files and a logging system for easy troubleshooting.

• Development cost estimation: Estimate costs of different model solutions based on call volume to avoid budget overruns;
• Model selection reference: Compare cost and performance to make rational decisions;
• Price change monitoring: Detect preferential plans in time to reduce long-term operating costs.

• Quick start: Download the Windows version from GitHub Releases, double-click to run, and use help to learn commands;
• Troubleshooting: Confirm version and network, run as administrator, or refer to GitHub Issues;
• Security and privacy: Runs locally with no user data uploaded, protecting privacy.

model-cost is a tool that addresses the pain points of developers in LLM pricing queries, improving work efficiency and rationality in model selection. In the future, it will support more providers/models, historical price trend analysis, cross-platform versions (macOS/Linux), and other features.