Which API should you use with Qwen Code?

Since Qwen Code's free Qwen OAuth tier ended on April 15, 2026, every session needs a provider key. For one monthly price across Qwen and other models, add Standard Compute as an OpenAI-compatible provider in ~/.qwen/settings.json (baseUrl https://api.stdcmpt.com/v1), from $19 a month with a $20 compute budget. Alibaba's Coding Plan is the native fixed-price option for Qwen, GLM, Kimi and MiniMax models with a weekly quota, and OpenRouter suits light, bursty use.

Light or occasional use

For occasional use, a pay-as-you-go key on an efficient Qwen model will likely cost the least. Alibaba's Coding Plan is worth a look if you only use the models it includes and its weekly quota fits your week.

One fixed monthly bill

Standard Compute fits when you want Qwen models next to Claude, GPT or GLM on one key and one bill. Pin qwen/qwen3.8-max-0902, or use standardcompute to let routing pick per request; requests stop at the monthly budget instead of billing overage.

API and subscription options for Qwen Code

Prices and allowances can change. The end of the free Qwen OAuth tier, the Coding Plan details and the settings format come from Qwen Code's authentication docs, read on October 14, 2026. Qwen Code: authentication · Qwen Code: model providers. Spot an error? Tell us.

Add Standard Compute to Qwen Code

{
  "modelProviders": {
    "openai": [
      {
        "id": "standardcompute",
        "name": "Standard Compute",
        "baseUrl": "https://api.stdcmpt.com/v1",
        "envKey": "STANDARDCOMPUTE_API_KEY"
      }
    ]
  },
  "security": { "auth": { "selectedType": "openai" } },
  "model": { "name": "standardcompute" }
}

Then export STANDARDCOMPUTE_API_KEY with your key and run qwen. Add entries with exact IDs such as qwen/qwen3.8-max-0902 to switch between them with /model.

Qwen Code questions

Is Qwen Code still free?

The tool is: Qwen Code is open source and costs nothing to install. The free Qwen OAuth model tier ended on April 15, 2026, and new requests through it are rejected, so you now bring a provider. The /auth menu offers Alibaba's Coding Plan, Token Plan or a Model Studio key, built-in third-party providers, or a Custom Provider. Standard Compute is a Custom Provider at https://api.stdcmpt.com/v1, from $19 a month with a $20 compute budget.