Each plan includes a number of API credits per billing cycle. If your team uses more, the extra credits are billed as an overage at the end of the billing period. You're never blocked from using the API mid-cycle.
How overages are calculated
Every credit beyond your plan's allowance is billed at your plan's overage rate.
Plan | Included credits / month | Overage rate |
Premium 50 | 1,000 | $0.10 / credit |
Premium 150 | 2,500 | $0.08 / credit |
Premium 500 | 10,000 | $0.03 / credit |
Premium 1000 | 50,000 | $0.01 / credit |
Premium 2000 | 100,000 | $0.0075 / credit |
Example: a Premium 50 team ($99/month) uses 1,500 credits in a month. The invoice shows $99.00 for the plan plus $50.00 for 500 overage credits × $0.10, a total of $149.00.
When overages are charged
Overages aren't charged when you go over. They're added as a separate line on your regular invoice at the end of the billing cycle.
How to reduce overage charges
Check your credit usage at any time on the API page.
If you regularly go over, a higher plan gives you more credits at a lower overage rate. See How do I upgrade or buy a plan?
With MCP, specific prompts use fewer credits than broad research requests. See How MCP uses credits.
Questions about a charge on your invoice? Contact support@theswarm.com and we'll walk you through your usage.