upladsHelp CenterLogin

How to choose uplads AI or your own API key

Last updated July 28, 2026

uplads can write copy, inspect creatives, translate text and analyze ad accounts. Each workspace chooses one transparent billing mode:

  • uplads AI credits - no provider account or API key needed. Trial and paid plans include credits, and owners can buy top-ups under Billing.
  • Your own API key - connect OpenAI or Anthropic. uplads credits are not used and the provider bills your account directly.

The workspace owner selects the mode in Configuration → AI connection. Every AI action shows its estimated credit range before it runs; BYOK actions instead show Own API key · 0 uplads credits.

Use uplads AI credits

Choose uplads AI credits and the mode is ready immediately. The Billing page shows the shared workspace balance, its included/purchased split and the next expiry:

  • Trial: 500 credits
  • Starter: 200 credits per month
  • Growth: 1,000 credits per month
  • Agency: 3,000 credits per month

Included credits expire at the end of their grant period and are consumed before purchased credits. Purchased top-up credits do not expire. Actual usage is calculated from provider tokens after the action; any unused part of the pre-authorized maximum is returned automatically.

Use your own OpenAI or Anthropic key

At the top of the panel are two tabs: OpenAI and Anthropic. You don't have to pick just one - you can save a key for both providers, and each shows a small Saved badge once a key is stored. When you generate copy, uplads uses whichever provider you've configured.

There's a direct link to each provider's key page right under the input, so you don't have to hunt for it.

Save an API key and test it

  1. Pick the provider tab (OpenAI or Anthropic).
  2. Paste your key into the API key field. Use the eye icon to reveal it if you want to double-check it before saving.
  3. Choose a Model (see below - a sensible default is pre-selected).
  4. Click Save key.

When you save, uplads doesn't just store the key - it sends a tiny ping probe to the provider to confirm the key actually works and the chosen model is available. If the key is valid you'll see "key saved & verified". If the provider rejects it, you get the exact error back (for example a 401 for a bad key) so you can fix it immediately rather than discovering the problem mid-launch.

Once a key is saved, two more buttons appear:

  • Test connection - re-runs the same ping probe on demand, so you can confirm a stored key still works at any time.
  • Remove key - deletes the stored key (covered below).

The saved key is shown masked (only the last four characters) with an Encrypted badge - the full key is never sent back to your browser after you save it.

Pick a model per provider

Each provider has its own Model dropdown. The first option is the recommended default, which is selected automatically.

OpenAI:

  • GPT-4o - best quality, slower
  • GPT-4o mini - fast and cheap
  • GPT-4.1
  • GPT-4.1 mini

Anthropic:

  • Claude Sonnet 4.5 - recommended
  • Claude Opus 4.5 - highest quality
  • Claude Haiku 4.5 - fast and cheap

As a rule of thumb, cheaper models are faster but a little less creative. If you only want to change the model on a key you've already saved, just pick a new model and click Update model - you don't need to re-enter the key.

Rotate or remove a saved key

To rotate a key (for example after revoking the old one with your provider), paste the new key into the same field - the placeholder reads "Paste a new key to replace…" - and click Replace key. uplads verifies the new key the same way it verifies a first-time save.

To remove a key entirely, click Remove key. The stored key is deleted and the provider's Saved badge disappears. AI generation for that provider will stop working until you add a key again.

How keys are encrypted and billed

Your API keys are encrypted with AES-256-GCM using a server-side key before they ever reach the database. The raw key is never logged, is never sent back to your browser after saving, and is only decrypted in memory for the moment a generation request runs.

In BYOK mode, calls go from the uplads server to OpenAI or Anthropic using your key. Usage is billed directly to your provider account and uses zero uplads credits. The optional monthly spend cap applies to this mode.

In managed mode, uplads calls the provider with its own server-side key and debits your credit balance. The retail rate includes provider cost, price/FX risk, payment fees and the uplads service margin. The app shows the estimated range before every AI action and logs the actual feature, tokens and credit charge afterwards.

Related articles

Related articles