How to Get Your AI API Key
Prefer using your own AI keys or taking advantage of Google’s generous free tier? Follow this 2-minute guide to configure Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) in Innoventry. Connect directly to AI providers with zero software markups.
Prefer Not to Manage API Keys? Use Innoventry Managed AI
You don't need to register on Google AI Studio, OpenAI, or OpenRouter if you prefer a turnkey experience. Innoventry now supports a fully Managed AI Service with pre-paid AI credits (1 Credit = ₹1 INR), domestic UPI recharge, and dual reasoning tiers (⚡ Fast & 🧠 Deep).
Google Gemini Provides a Generous 100% Free API Tier
You do not need to buy anything to get started. Google AI Studio offers a free developer tier with zero credit card requirement that easily covers daily SME queries and invoice scans.
1,500 / day
Free Requests Per Day
Plenty for hundreds of invoice scans & chats
15 RPM
Free Requests Per Minute
Instant, smooth interactive responses
1,000,000 TPM
Tokens Per Minute
Handles long ledger reports & multi-page bills
₹0 (Free)
Setup Cost
No credit card required to generate free key
Step-by-Step: Getting Your Free Google Gemini API Key
Follow these 5 simple steps. The entire process takes less than 2 minutes.
Open Google AI Studio
Navigate to Google's official developer portal at aistudio.google.com/app/apikey. Sign in using any standard Google account (your existing personal Gmail or Google Workspace business ID).
Click “Create API Key”
On the API Keys dashboard, click the prominent blue button labeled “Create API key”(or “Get API key”).
Select “Create in new project”
A dialog will prompt you to select a Google Cloud project. Simply choose “Create API key in new project”. Google creates an isolated sandbox project instantly. No credit card or billing profile is requested.
Copy the Generated API Key
Google will generate a secret API key string starting with AIzaSy.... Click the copy icon to copy it to your clipboard.
Paste into Innoventry Settings
Open your Innoventry Desktop or Web Client:
- Go to Settings → AI Configuration (or API Keys).
- Under AI Provider, choose Google Gemini (or OpenAI / OpenRouter).
- Paste your copied API key into the input field.
- Click Test Connection & Save.
Alternative Options: OpenRouter & OpenAI API Keys
If you prefer OpenRouter's unified multi-model catalog or direct OpenAI / Anthropic reasoning, configure them in minutes.
OpenRouter
100+ Models · 1 KeyUnified gateway to run Claude 3.5 Sonnet, DeepSeek V3/R1, Llama 3.3, and GPT-4o with a single wallet balance and no separate accounts.
- Visit openrouter.ai/keys and sign in.
- Add credit balance ($5 min) or use selected free models.
- Click “Create Key” (starts with
sk-or-v1-...). - Paste into Innoventry Settings under provider OpenRouter.
OpenAI (GPT-4o)
Pay As You GoDirect official API integration for businesses that prefer OpenAI GPT-4o / GPT-4o-mini for structured invoice OCR and reasoning.
- Visit platform.openai.com/api-keys.
- Add $5 prepaid billing credit under Settings → Billing.
- Click “Create new secret key” (starts with
sk-proj-...). - Paste into Innoventry Settings under provider OpenAI.
Anthropic Claude
Pay As You GoDirect Anthropic console key for Claude 3.5 Sonnet / Haiku, or for Claude Desktop Model Context Protocol connection.
- Visit console.anthropic.com.
- Add billing credits ($5 minimum).
- Create an API Key (starts with
sk-ant-...). - Paste into Innoventry or Claude Desktop MCP config.
Provider Comparison Matrix
Compare free tier allowances, paid costs, and setup requirements.
| Provider | Free Tier Available? | Free Allowance | Credit Card Needed? | Estimated Cost for SME |
|---|---|---|---|---|
TurnkeyInnoventry Managed AI | ✓ Zero-Setup Pre-Paid Credits | 1 Credit = ₹1 INR (⚡ Fast & 🧠 Deep Tiers) | No (UPI / QR / NetBanking / Cards in ₹) | Pay-as-you-go (~₹15 - ₹50 / month) |
| Google Gemini (BYOK Recommended) | ✓ Yes, 100% Free Tier | 1,500 requests / day (15 RPM) | No (Zero Card Needed) | ₹0 / month (Free) |
| OpenRouter (100+ Models) | ✓ Free models + Pay As You Go | Access Claude, DeepSeek, Llama & GPT | No for free models / Card or Crypto for credits | ~₹15 - ₹50 / month |
| OpenAI (GPT-4o-mini) | Initial trial credits (varies) | Pay as you go | Yes (International card) | ~₹20 - ₹60 / month |
| Anthropic Claude | $5 credit for new accounts | Pay as you go | Yes (International card) | ~₹50 - ₹150 / month |
Frequently Asked Questions About AI Setup & Keys
Do I have to create an API key to use Innoventry AI?
No! If you don't want to register for external developer accounts or manage secret API keys, simply choose Innoventry Managed AI Service in your software settings under Settings → AI Configuration. It activates instantly with pre-paid AI credits (1 Credit = ₹1 INR) and dual reasoning tiers (⚡ Fast and 🧠 Deep). You only need to follow this guide if you prefer Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) to use Google's free tier or your existing OpenAI/OpenRouter account.
Can I switch between Innoventry Managed AI and BYOK later?
Yes, anytime! You can switch back and forth under Settings → AI Configuration with one click. If you switch to BYOK, your remaining pre-paid AI credits remain safely stored in your account wallet and never expire.
Which Innoventry editions support AI, and is an active AMC required?
All AI features (AI Chat, Bill OCR, and MCP Server) are available starting from Basic Edition onwards (Basic, Personal, Standard, and Premium). An active AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract) is required for the software to connect to AI relay endpoints. For yearly subscriptions, AMC is included in the plan; for lifetime licenses, active AMC is maintained via annual renewal (Basic: ₹1,000/yr, Personal: ₹1,500/yr, Standard: ₹3,000/yr, Premium: ₹5,000/yr + 18% GST extra; AMC is optional and needed only for product updates, telephonic support, and active-AMC features).
Will Google automatically charge me when using the free tier?
No. When you generate an API key in Google AI Studio, no credit card is requested. If you ever reach the 1,500 daily requests limit, queries simply pause until the next day unless you explicitly opt in to set up a paid Google Cloud billing account.
Where is my API key stored? Does Innoventry have access to it?
Your secret API key is stored encrypted directly on your local machine. It is used strictly to authenticate outbound requests from your computer to the AI provider. Innoventry never resells or exposes your credentials.
Can I change or revoke my key at any time?
Yes. You can revoke or generate a new key at any moment from Google AI Studio, OpenRouter, or OpenAI dashboard, and update it in Innoventry Settings with one click.
Why should I choose OpenRouter over direct OpenAI or Gemini?
OpenRouter is perfect if you want the flexibility to use Anthropic Claude 3.5 Sonnet, DeepSeek V3/R1, or Meta Llama 3.3 without maintaining separate accounts and payment methods across multiple AI company portals. A single API key (starting with sk-or-v1-...) and one prepaid balance work for 100+ models.
Ready to Activate AI in Innoventry?
Start immediately with zero-setup Innoventry Managed AI (pre-paid credits) or get your free Google Gemini API key in 2 minutes for zero software markup.