EP040: The Real Cost of AI APIs in 2026 — Who's Cheapest, Who's Worth It, and Where the Hidden Fees Are

We go deep on what AI APIs actually cost in production. Covering 18 models across 5 providers — OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, xAI, and Chinese providers — we break down base pricing, caching mechanics (and why they differ), Batch API discounts, the Chinese model wild card, and a practical framework for picking the right model for your workload. Plus: how stacking Crazyrouter discounts with caching can save you 80-90%.