> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.withmethod.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Pricing

> Free and Startup plans: what each includes, how model credit works, and how to upgrade or cancel.

| | Free | Startup — Self-improving agents |
| - | - | - |
| Price | \$0 | \$200 a month |
| Hosted models and classification | A one-time \$10 credit, then your own OpenRouter key | Included model credit each month, then your own OpenRouter key |
| Local runs, versions, publish, dashboard | Included | Included |
| Production runs (`POST /v1/runs`) | Not included | Included |
| Improvements and automatic suggestions | Not included | Included |
| Method Cloud | Not included | Included when it is on for your organization ([Method Cloud](/guides/method-cloud)) |

Method does not bill per token. Hosted model requests are private on both plans: no data collection and zero data retention. See [Privacy](/guides/privacy).

## Free

Every workspace starts on Free. Hosted model steps and classify steps use the \$10 credit. **Settings, Billing** on the dashboard shows how much you used. When the credit is used up, a model or classify step stops with `model_credit_used` and this message:

```text theme={null}
Method's free model credit ($10) is used up. To keep going, use your own OpenRouter key (make one at openrouter.ai/keys), then run method config model-key.
```

Then run, on this computer:

```sh theme={null}
method config model-key
```

If one key file near the Method (for example a `.env`) holds `OPENROUTER_API_KEY`, this imports it without showing it. Otherwise it opens a private form in your browser for the key. The value stays in this computer's secret store. Then every hosted model request on this computer (the Method's own models too) and every classify step goes to OpenRouter with your key, and the run prints `Using your own OpenRouter key`. Model requests keep the same private options (no data collection, zero data retention); see [Privacy](/guides/privacy). The own key must be an OpenRouter key. `method config model-key --off` goes back to the account's credit.

On Startup, the included credit is \$100 a month. When it is used up, the message says so, says it resets next month, and gives the same step for your own key.

A production run request on Free returns HTTP 402 with the code `plan_upgrade_required`.

## Upgrade

Open **Settings, Billing** on the dashboard and select **Upgrade to Startup — \$200/month**. Stripe Checkout takes the payment. The plan changes when Stripe confirms the payment, usually in a few seconds.

## Manage, cancel, or a failed payment

Select **Manage billing** to change the card, see invoices, or cancel. A cancelled plan stays active to the end of the paid month. If a payment fails, Startup stays active to the end of the paid month while Stripe tries the card again. Then the workspace goes back to Free. The one-time \$10 credit does not start again: hosted model steps stop until you upgrade or set your own key.


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