Ramp Launches Router AI Gateway With Eight Providers and Free 2026 Access
Ramp launches Router, a US only AI model gateway with eight providers, free access through 2026, a $26 credit and one year default data retention policy.
Summary
Ramp launched Router on Wednesday evening, August 19, 2026, giving US users an API for switching among models from OpenAI, Anthropic, DeepSeek, Moonshot, Minimax, Nvidia, xAI and Z.ai. Developed for Ramp’s internal AI needs over three years, Router is free through 2026, excluding model inference charges, and includes a $26 launch credit; 2027 pricing is undisclosed. OpenRouter currently offers substantially more models.
Routing strategies can favor providers’ flex usage tiers, select models using up to three customer benchmarks, reserve expensive models for difficult queries or simplify model testing. A dashboard tracks token usage, cost, latency and fallback attempts. Router records inputs, outputs and tool calls for one year by default unless users opt out; Ramp says it removes personally identifiable information before using content for product improvement. Following Stripe into AI inference intermediation, Ramp can pair Router with its token monitoring and spend management products, pursue relationships with AI labs and inference providers, and cross sell expense management services. Ramp raised $750 million at a $44 billion valuation in June.
Positives
- $26 in launch credit and waived Router fees through the remainder of 2026 reduce trial costs, although customers still pay inference charges.
- Eight providers, OpenAI, Anthropic, DeepSeek, Moonshot, Minimax, Nvidia, xAI and Z.ai, are accessible through one API.
- Up to three customer benchmarks can determine model selection, while other strategies prioritize flex tiers or reserve expensive models for difficult queries.
- Token usage, cost, latency and fallback attempts are visible through Router’s customer dashboard.
- Three years of internal use gave Ramp operating experience with Router before its public launch.
Risks & concerns
- One year of default retention covers model inputs, outputs and tool calls unless customers actively opt out.
- United States exclusivity prevents international customers from using Router at launch.
- OpenRouter currently provides substantially more model choices than Ramp’s new service.
- Undisclosed 2027 pricing leaves customers unable to assess Router’s cost after the free period ends.