Echo
Open-source Billing and Auth solution for AI apps.
About Echo
Echo, developed by Merit Systems, is an innovative open-source billing and authentication solution tailored for AI applications. As of 2026, Echo stands out by providing developers with a seamless way to monetize their AI apps without bearing the upfront costs. This tool is designed to facilitate user-based billing, ensuring that developers earn a profit on every token consumed by their users. By integrating Echo, developers can effortlessly manage authentication and billing processes, allowing them to focus on enhancing their AI applications. Echo's unique selling proposition lies in its ability to unify multiple AI models behind a single gateway, offering a streamlined experience for developers. With its open-source nature, Echo fosters a community-driven approach, allowing for continuous improvements and customizations. The tool's compatibility with popular frameworks like Next.js and React further enhances its appeal, making it a versatile choice for developers aiming to integrate billing solutions into their AI apps efficiently. In a landscape where AI applications are rapidly evolving, Echo provides a reliable and scalable solution that caters to the dynamic needs of developers and businesses alike.
Echo Key Features
User-Based Billing
Echo enables developers to implement a user-based billing system for AI applications, allowing them to charge users based on their usage. This feature ensures that developers do not incur upfront costs and can earn a profit on every token consumed, making it a financially sustainable solution.
Managed Authentication
Echo provides drop-in authentication components that include login, balance management, and top-up functionalities. This feature simplifies the integration of secure user authentication processes, ensuring that developers can easily manage user access and billing without building these systems from scratch.
Unified Gateway for AI Models
Echo's SDK serves as a unified gateway to access multiple frontier AI models, such as OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google Gemini. This feature allows developers to integrate various AI models into their applications seamlessly, enhancing the versatility and capability of their apps.
Open Source and Free by Default
Echo is an open-source solution with no fees by default, only charging a 2.5% fee on profits. This feature ensures that developers can access a robust billing and authentication system without incurring significant costs, promoting widespread adoption and community-driven improvements.
Rapid Deployment
With Echo, developers can achieve distribution readiness in seconds by modifying just five lines of code from the Vercel AI SDK. This feature accelerates the deployment process, allowing developers to bring their AI applications to market quickly and efficiently.
Risk-Free LLM Inference
Echo simplifies the process of serving LLM inference in frameworks like Next.js and React, offering a risk-free environment for developers. This feature allows developers to monitor user balances and usage effectively, ensuring that they can manage costs and maintain profitability.
Universal Balance System
Echo offers a universal balance system where a single balance is shared across all Echo-powered apps. This feature provides users with a seamless experience, allowing them to pay once and use their balance across multiple applications, enhancing user convenience and satisfaction.
Configurable Tool-Calling Chatbot
Echo includes a configurable tool-calling chatbot with a generative UI, enabling developers to create interactive and dynamic user experiences. This feature enhances the functionality of AI applications, making them more engaging and user-friendly.
Echo Pricing Plans (2026)
Free
- Open-source platform
- User-based billing
- Unified AI gateway
- Managed authentication
- Zero-cost infrastructure
- Requires technical setup
- Community support
Echo Pros
- + Open-source nature allows for extensive customization and community collaboration.
- + User-based billing model eliminates upfront costs for developers.
- + Unified AI gateway simplifies integration across multiple AI models.
- + Managed authentication enhances security and user experience.
- + Zero-cost infrastructure maximizes developer profits.
- + Rapid deployment with minimal code changes.
Echo Cons
- − May require technical expertise to fully customize and integrate.
- − Limited to AI applications, not suitable for non-AI app developers.
- − Potential dependency on community support for updates and bug fixes.
- − Initial setup might be complex for non-technical users.
- − Requires monitoring of user balances to prevent service disruption.
Echo Use Cases
AI-Powered E-commerce Platforms
E-commerce platforms can use Echo to implement AI-driven features like personalized recommendations and dynamic pricing. By charging users based on their usage, platforms can enhance customer experience while ensuring profitability.
Educational AI Applications
Educational apps can leverage Echo to provide personalized learning experiences powered by AI. The user-based billing system allows developers to offer cost-effective solutions to educational institutions, ensuring that they only pay for what they use.
Healthcare AI Solutions
Healthcare providers can use Echo to integrate AI models for patient diagnostics and treatment recommendations. The managed authentication and billing features ensure secure access and cost management, making it a viable solution for sensitive healthcare environments.
AI-Driven Content Creation Tools
Content creators can utilize Echo to power AI-driven tools for generating articles, images, and videos. The rapid deployment and universal balance features allow creators to access multiple AI models effortlessly, enhancing their creative capabilities.
Financial Services Applications
Financial institutions can implement Echo to offer AI-powered analytics and forecasting tools. The open-source nature and cost efficiency of Echo make it an attractive option for financial services looking to innovate without significant investment.
AI Research and Development
Research institutions can use Echo to access cutting-edge AI models for experimental and development purposes. The unified gateway and risk-free inference features provide researchers with a flexible and secure environment for AI exploration.
What Makes Echo Unique
Open-Source and Cost-Effective
Echo's open-source nature and lack of default fees make it a highly accessible and affordable solution for developers, setting it apart from proprietary alternatives.
Unified AI Model Gateway
The ability to access multiple AI models through a single gateway simplifies integration and enhances the versatility of applications, providing a unique advantage over competitors.
Rapid Deployment
Echo's capability to achieve production readiness in seconds with minimal code changes offers a significant time-to-market advantage, making it a preferred choice for developers.
User-Based Billing System
The innovative billing system that charges users based on their usage ensures that developers can maintain profitability without incurring upfront costs, distinguishing Echo from other billing solutions.
Who's Using Echo
Enterprise Teams
Enterprise teams use Echo to integrate AI capabilities into their business processes, benefiting from its user-based billing and managed authentication features to ensure secure and cost-effective operations.
Freelancers
Freelancers leverage Echo to build and monetize AI applications without incurring upfront costs. The open-source nature and rapid deployment capabilities make it an ideal choice for independent developers.
Educational Institutions
Educational institutions use Echo to provide AI-enhanced learning tools, taking advantage of its cost-efficient billing system to offer scalable solutions to students and educators.
Healthcare Providers
Healthcare providers utilize Echo to integrate AI models for diagnostics and patient care, relying on its secure authentication and billing systems to manage sensitive data and costs effectively.
How We Rate Echo
Echo vs Competitors
Echo vs Online Receipt Maker
Echo provides a more specialized solution for AI applications, focusing on user-based billing and authentication, while Online Receipt Maker offers broader receipt generation services.
- + Open-source flexibility
- + Zero-cost infrastructure
- + Unified AI gateway
- − Less focus on general receipt generation
- − Requires technical expertise for customization
Echo Frequently Asked Questions (2026)
What is Echo?
Echo is an open-source billing and authentication solution designed for AI applications, allowing developers to implement user-based billing systems.
How much does Echo cost in 2026?
Echo is free by default, with a 2.5% fee on profits.
Is Echo free?
Yes, Echo is free to use with a 2.5% fee on profits generated.
Is Echo worth it in 2026?
Echo is worth considering in 2026 due to its open-source flexibility, cost efficiency, and robust feature set tailored for AI applications.
Best Echo alternatives in 2026?
Alternatives include Online Receipt Maker, Butterfish, and Taskbase, each offering different features and pricing models.
Echo vs competitors in 2026?
Echo stands out for its open-source nature and zero-cost infrastructure, while competitors may offer more extensive official support.
How to get started with Echo?
To get started with Echo, integrate it into your app with minimal code changes and configure your billing settings.
What platforms does Echo support?
Echo supports integration with frameworks like Next.js and React, making it versatile for various development environments.
Is Echo safe and secure?
Echo provides robust security features, though developers should ensure compliance with data protection regulations.
Who should use Echo?
Echo is ideal for developers of AI applications, educational institutions, research labs, and consultancy firms.
What's new in Echo 2026?
In 2026, Echo continues to enhance its features, focusing on improved integration capabilities and community-driven updates.
How does Echo compare to alternatives?
Echo offers unique advantages like open-source flexibility and zero-cost infrastructure, while alternatives may provide different support and pricing models.
Echo Search Interest
Search interest over past 12 months (Google Trends) • Updated 2/2/2026
Echo on Hacker News
VS Code Extension
Echo Company
Echo Quick Info
- Pricing
- Open Source
- Upvotes
- 18
- Added
- January 3, 2026
Echo Is Best For
- AI SaaS Developers
- Educational Institutions
- AI Research Labs
- Freelance Developers
- Consultancy Firms
Echo Integrations
Echo Alternatives
View all →Related to Echo
News & Press
For Bourne, the new Sagamore Bridge takings echo a long past - Boston.com
The Next Echo Chamber? Study Finds Sycophantic AI Chatbots Boost Confidence And Harden Beliefs - The420.in
I installed Android on an Echo Show, and it gave my smart display a new life - Android Authority
Heat complaints at Newark’s Georgia King Village echo 2023 rat infestation - NJ.com
Compare Tools
See how Echo compares to other tools
Start ComparisonOwn Echo?
Claim this tool to post updates, share deals, and get a verified badge.
Claim This ToolYou Might Also Like
Similar to EchoTools that serve similar audiences or solve related problems.
JavaScript linting tool with AI-enhanced capabilities.
AI-powered CLI for seamless AWS coding and scripting.
Open-source LLMOps platform for prompt management, evaluation, and observability.
Comprehensive code review and automated test generation platform.
AI that updates docs when you ship code
A GitHub integration that adds explanatory text to newly created PRs.