Built-in choices and external-provider workflows
We provide model choices through generation settings inside a SpicyChat conversation. The options available to an account depend on its tier. Ordinary use of those choices does not require you to obtain a separate provider's API key.
JanitorAI can also be configured with an external inference provider through its API settings. In that kind of setup, a provider's model identifier, endpoint, key, and billing become part of the workflow. That is an integration pattern, not a requirement for every JanitorAI user to obtain a paid external key.
Compare the whole cost of the setup
For SpicyChat, compare the subscription tier with the features you actually need. For an external-provider configuration, check the provider's charging model as well as the character-chat interface. A free interface does not necessarily make separately billed inference free.
Do not paste a provider key into a character definition or share it with another creator. If you move between configurations, keep credentials separate from the text you use to describe the fictional character.
Use the same character premise for a fair test
Keep the opening scene and role descriptions similar when comparing replies. Change one factor at a time: model, definition, response length, or memory setup. Otherwise a difference caused by a stronger prompt can be mistaken for a platform-wide advantage.
Our personas, Lorebooks, and Rulebooks cover different parts of story setup. Check how your preferred alternative handles the particular state or world information you need rather than assuming that an imported definition behaves identically everywhere.
Questions
Do I need my own API key to use SpicyChat's normal models?
No. The ordinary in-app model selector is separate from an external-provider integration. Choose among the options available to your account.
Does JanitorAI always require a paid third-party API?
An external provider is one configuration option, not a requirement for every user. Check the model and setup selected in the account before comparing costs or access.