BangWorkhorseCheap
DeepSeek V4 Flash
16.5 Deepsec3.06 bang22.1% tokens31% off
Updated Aug 31, 2026 · Aug 25–31, 2026 · 240 models · 176 ZDR+NPT
Best models on AI Gateway
This week (Aug 25–31, 2026), the best ZDR + no-training pick on AI Gateway isDeepSeek V4 Flashat$0.113 / 1Mondeepinfra31% off. The frontier pick isGPT 5.6 Sol.
Independent ranking from live catalog, 7-day adoption, discounts, and DeepsecBench.
Best ZDR + no-training models this week
2Zero data retention and no training on prompts
Frontier
GPT 5.6 Sol
35.6 Deepsec1.40 bang
Best bang-for-buck models (including models that train)
2Includes models that train or skip ZDR
BangWorkhorseCheap
DeepSeek V4 Flash
ZDR + no training16.5 Deepsec3.06 bang22.1% tokens31% off
Frontier
GPT 5.6 Sol
ZDR + no training35.6 Deepsec1.40 bang
Ranked AI Gateway models
ZDR + no training, ranked
ModelBlendScoreBangTokens
Which labs developers actually use
10deepseek33.1% tok3.9% $
anthropic17.8% tok60.4% $
openai12.2% tok16.9% $
stepfun10.2% tok2.0% $
zai8.8% tok4.6% $
minimax6.7% tok0.3% $
google5.2% tok7.5% $
moonshotai2.2% tok3.4% $
meta1.5% tok0.2% $
xiaomi0.9% tok0.0% $
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best AI Gateway model this week?
- This week (Aug 25–31, 2026), the best ZDR + no-training pick on AI Gateway is DeepSeek V4 Flash at $0.113 / 1M blended on deepinfra (31% off). The frontier pick is GPT 5.6 Sol.
- What does ZDR + no training mean?
- ZDR is zero data retention: the provider does not keep prompts. No training means prompts are not used to train models. A privacy pick requires the AI Gateway catalog to mark both `zdr` and `no_training` as all or some, matching the official ?zdr=true and ?npt=true filters.
- How is bang-for-buck calculated?
- Bang-for-buck is DeepsecBench score divided by that run's cost. Value score is 7-day mean token share divided by blended $/1M, using a 3× input + 1× output mix. Discounted picks use a cheaper ZDR endpoint than list price.
- Which models count as capable?
- Capable models support tool use and have at least 128,000 tokens of context. Vision is not required. Cheap routers must also blend at or under $0.50 / 1M; workhorses at or under $3.00 / 1M.
- Is this an official Vercel product?
- No. bestmodels.dev is an independent weekly ranking. Catalog, adoption, and DeepsecBench numbers come from Vercel AI Gateway data licensed CC BY 4.0. We are not affiliated with Vercel.