JanitorAI Free API in 2026: A Free Proxy That Actually Works
By Vibhek SoniUpdated 4 min read
Quick answer
Create a free account at freetheai.org, make an API key, then in JanitorAI open API Settings, choose Proxy, and paste https://api.freetheai.org/v1/chat/completions as the Proxy URL, your key, and a model such as fta/zai/glm-5.3. Save, refresh the page, and do the daily check-in.
Key takeaways
- JanitorAI needs the full URL ending in /chat/completions, not just the base URL.
- Refresh the page after saving. JanitorAI only loads a new proxy after a full reload.
- Free models unlock after one quick check-in a day, and the daily count resets at 00:00 UTC.
- You start with 50 free requests a day and can add more by linking Discord.
- GLM 5.3 is the best starting model; Kimi K3 and MiniMax M3 are strong alternatives.
What you need before you start
JanitorAI can talk to any OpenAI-compatible API through its Proxy option. FreeTheAI is one: a free OpenAI-compatible API with dozens of free models, no credit card, and no billing for the free tier. You need three things:
- A FreeTheAI account. Sign up at freetheai.org/signup with a Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or iCloud address, then confirm your email from the link we send.
- An API key. Open Dashboard > API keys and create one. It starts with
ftai_and is 53 characters long. It is shown once, so copy the whole thing. - Today's check-in. Free models unlock after a short check-in at freetheai.org/checkin. It lasts until 00:00 UTC.
The exact JanitorAI proxy settings
These are the values to paste. Every field matters, and the Proxy URL is the one most people get wrong.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Configuration Name | FreeTheAI (any name works) |
| Model Name | fta/zai/glm-5.3 |
| Proxy URL | https://api.freetheai.org/v1/chat/completions |
| API Key | Your full ftai_... key (53 characters) |
| Custom Prompt | Leave empty at first |
The Proxy URL must end in /chat/completions. The base URL alone (.../v1) is what other apps want, but JanitorAI needs the full address.
Step by step
- Open any character and start a chat. The character has to allow proxies.
- Tap the menu (three lines) at the top right of the chat, then API Settings.
- Choose Proxy, then + Add Configuration, and fill in the table above.
- Press Save Settings, then refresh the page (Ctrl+Shift+R on a computer, pull to refresh on a phone).
- Do today's check-in at freetheai.org/checkin if you have not yet, then send a message.
If the first reply arrives, you are done. If not, the error guide matches every JanitorAI message to its fix.
Which free model to pick for roleplay
Copy model IDs exactly as they appear on the Models page; they always start with fta/. These are good places to start:
| Model ID | Context | Why pick it |
|---|---|---|
fta/zai/glm-5.3 | 1M tokens | The best all-round start: strong writing and a huge context for long chats. |
fta/kimi/k3 | 1M tokens | Thinks before it answers, so replies are careful but can take 10 to 60 seconds. |
fta/zai/glm-5.3-flash | 1M tokens | A lighter GLM for quicker back-and-forth. |
fta/mmx/minimax-m3 | 1M tokens | Another long-context option with a different writing style. |
For a deeper comparison, see the best free models for roleplay.
How many free messages you get
Every account gets 50 free requests a day. The count resets at 00:00 UTC, and the Plan page in your dashboard shows how many you have left and when they reset. You can raise the limit:
- Link Discord in Settings for +50 requests a day.
- Members with the Valid role in our Discord server get more on top.
- Donate an API key you do not use from Dashboard > Donate keys for a further boost.
A request that fails on our side, or that is turned away because a model is busy, does not count. One request runs at a time on the free tier, so wait for a reply before you press regenerate.
Tips for better replies
- Set Max new tokens to 0 to use the model's full output length, or raise it if replies end mid-sentence.
- Keep streaming on for long replies. It shows text as it is written and avoids timeouts.
- If a thinking model is slow, give it a moment instead of retrying. Retrying while it works starts a second request.
- Long chats with huge prompts take longer. Starting a new chat or lowering the context size speeds things up.
Frequently asked questions
Is there really a free API for JanitorAI?
Yes. FreeTheAI gives every verified account 50 free requests a day on models like GLM 5.3 and Kimi K3, with no credit card. You need a daily check-in and an API key.
What is the JanitorAI proxy URL for FreeTheAI?
https://api.freetheai.org/v1/chat/completions. It must end in /chat/completions.
Why does JanitorAI say "Failed to fetch" or "network error"?
The Proxy URL is wrong, the key was pasted incompletely, or the page was not refreshed after saving. Check the URL, paste the full 53-character key, save, and reload.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes. JanitorAI runs in the browser on your phone, and the settings are the same. After saving, pull down to refresh the page so JanitorAI loads the new proxy.
Is my chat stored?
FreeTheAI does not store your prompts or replies. The model provider handles your request as described in our privacy policy.
About the author
Vibhek Soni founded FreeTheAI and builds and runs its API. He answers the support tickets these posts come from.
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