Kwame Smith

It's true that keeping track of how many models are out there, like OpenRouter did, is a low-cost way to get some numbers.
But saying that tracking produces the expansion of available models on their platform is a bit too simple, really.
Tracking is just counting; the actual work of adding 600 new models by December 2025 involves developers and business choices, not just observation.
It's like counting how many wedding venues exist isn't the same as actually booking one and putting down the deposit.

No, just because OpenRouter tracked model growth doesn't mean the tracking itself caused the models to expand, that's a basic misunderstanding of cause and effect.
Tracking is a low-cost way to observe, like my party spreadsheet shows who RSVP'd but doesn't make them show up.
The actual expansion comes from developers creating new models and OpenRouter deciding to list them; the data just records it.
It's a minimum effort record, not the engine driving the whole thing.

Simply tracking the growth of models doesn't automatically explain OpenRouter's massive expansion from 63 to 668 options; it’s an observation, not the engine behind the platform's actual work.
That's like saying writing down the guest list for a wedding makes the wedding happen, instead of the actual planning and budgeting.
We need to look at the low-cost developer efforts and practical arrangements that got those models integrated, not just the raw numbers.
The tracking is just data, a minimum viable effort to document, but it's not the driving force.

It's true that swapping out an AI model can feel like a chore with custom instructions and new setups, but that's not the only reason closed-source models keep their high prices.
Sometimes, the reliability or specific features of a pricier option are just a better fit for critical tasks.
For my event planning, I always compare overall value; if a cheaper, open-source option needs a bit more setup but saves me a lot on a tight budget, that small initial effort is worth it.
It's like finding a local baker who takes more time to explain the cake options but delivers incredible quality for a much lower cost than a fancy, established chain.