Understanding Velona's INR Pricing: How Pay-As-You-Go AI Billing Works
One of the biggest hidden costs of building with AI APIs from India is currency conversion, forex markup, international transaction fees, and unpredictable INR-to-USD swings on your credit card statement. Velona was built specifically to remove that. Here's exactly how billing works.
Why INR-Native Billing Matters
Most AI providers bill in USD, which means every request you make is subject to:
- Card network foreign transaction fees (typically 2-3.5%)
- Bank forex markup on the conversion rate
- Minimum card limits that don't suit small, experimental usage
Velona sidesteps all of this with a prepaid INR wallet funded directly via UPI.
How the Wallet Works
- Sign up and top up your wallet using UPI or any Razorpay-supported payment method
- Funds are credited instantly to your balance
- Every API call deducts directly from that balance in INR, based on tokens used
- No auto-renewing subscription, top up only when you need to
How Pricing Is Calculated
Velona aggregates 300+ models through a single gateway, and each model is priced per token (input and output are usually metered separately). You can browse live rates for every model on the public pricing & calculator page no login required to check numbers before you commit.
Example: Comparing a Direct API vs. Velona
| Item | Direct (USD card) | Velona (UPI/INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | USD | INR |
| Forex fees | 2–3.5% | None |
| Payment method | International card required | UPI |
| Minimum spend | Card-dependent | As low as ₹100 |
If you'd rather compare model pricing without logging in, the anonymous-friendly models pricing index lists rates across all 300+ supported models.
Checking Your Usage
Your Usage & Logs dashboard shows a running log of requests, tokens consumed, and cost per call, so you can track spend per project or per API key in real time useful if you're running multiple side projects or client work through one account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my balance expire?
No wallet balance carries over and only decreases as you make API calls.
Can I get an invoice for business use?
Yes, GST-compliant invoicing is available for registered businesses needing it for accounting or reimbursement.
What happens if my balance runs out mid-request?
Requests are blocked once your balance hits zero, so you're never billed beyond what you've topped up, no surprise overages. For refund terms, see our refund policy.
Ready to see the real numbers? Set up your account and generate your first API key to check live pricing per model.