GroqCloud: free hosted AI API tier with model-specific usage limits

The offer

Developers in India aged 18 or over can create a GroqCloud account and use its US$0 Free plan to build and test AI applications. Create an API key and check the Limits page: request, token and audio limits vary by model and apply across the organization, with excess requests returning a rate-limit error. Higher limits, Batch and Flex processing require an optional paid Developer upgrade, billed per usage in US dollars.

Who can claim it

• Age 18 or over; intended for developers and business applications, not consumer use.
• A GroqCloud account is required; India customers are supported.
• Comply with each selected model licence and the acceptable-use policy.
• Usage limits are shared across the organization, not a separate allowance for every user.

How to claim it

1. Open GroqCloud and create or sign in to your account.
2. Use the Free plan shown under Settings, Billing, Plans.
3. Open API Keys and create an API key for your application.
4. Check Settings, Limits for your current model-specific allowances.
5. Follow the official Quickstart to send API requests; do not upgrade unless you want paid usage.

Good to know

No fixed Free-plan end date is stated. At a rate limit, requests return HTTP 429. A Developer upgrade requires a payment method and incurs usage charges; downgrade in Billing after settling outstanding usage.

This is a limited free tier, not an unlimited token grant or fixed-dollar promotional credit. Limits and model availability can change. Data is processed in the cloud; reliability or abuse logs may retain inputs and outputs for up to 30 days unless you enable the relevant Zero Data Retention controls. Retained customer data is stored in the US. Paid India accounts have automatic US$1, US$10, then recurring US$100 billing thresholds, plus regular monthly billing.