Most AI apps pick one AI company for you and fold its cost into your subscription. Cinematic Recorder works differently: BYOK, or bring your own AI key. You put the "key" (API key) to your own AI account into the app, and you stay in charge of which AI you use, what it costs and where your data goes.
What is an API key?
An API key is a long secret code that lets an app talk to an AI provider on your behalf. Think of it like a prepaid card number for a specific service: whoever has it can use your account, and the usage shows up on your bill.
Because the key belongs to your account, usage is billed straight to you by the provider. Nobody adds a margin in between, and you can see exactly what was used in the provider's own dashboard. You create the key on the provider's website, copy it once, and paste it into Cinematic Recorder's AI settings.
Which providers work?
- OpenAI: well known for strong writing and editing models. Step-by-step setup: how to get an OpenAI API key.
- Google Gemini: Google's models, created from Google AI Studio. Setup guide: how to get a Gemini API key.
- OpenRouter: one key that gives access to many models from different companies, so you can compare and switch easily.
- Ollama: AI running on your own computer. Requests stay on your own machine instead of going to a cloud service. See running local AI with Ollama.
You don't need all four. Pick one to start; you can change it later in a few taps.
Which one should you pick first?
If you already pay for an AI account, start with that provider, since you know how its billing works. If you want to try several models before deciding, OpenRouter is convenient because one account covers many of them. If privacy is your top concern and you have a reasonably powerful computer at home or in the office, Ollama keeps everything on your own machine and has no per-request cost. There is no wrong choice here: your projects aren't tied to the provider, so you can experiment freely and settle on whatever suits your budget and your work.
Why BYOK is better for you
You control the cost
With a bundled AI subscription, you pay the same whether you use AI once a month or every day. With your own key, you pay only for what you actually use. Light users often spend very little, and heavy users can choose cheaper models for simple jobs.
You control your privacy
You decide which company, if any, sees the text you send. If you'd rather nothing leaves your own devices, Ollama on your computer will do that once it is supported. If you're comfortable with a cloud provider, you can read its data policy and choose the one you trust.
No lock-in
AI models improve quickly. When a better or cheaper model arrives, you just switch the key or the model. You don't wait for an app update, and you don't lose your projects.
It works the same in Bangladesh or anywhere else
Since the bill comes from the provider, you can use whichever provider accepts your payment method, or a local model that needs no payment at all.
Keeping AI costs under control
- Set a spending limit in the provider's dashboard. Most providers let you cap monthly spend or use prepaid credit.
- Use a smaller model for simple tasks like titles or short summaries.
- Check usage weekly at first, until you know what a normal month looks like.
- Try local AI with Ollama if you have a capable computer; it has no per-request charge.
Our guide to controlling AI costs goes deeper, with a simple monthly routine.
Is my key safe?
Your keys are kept in the phone's secure storage (Android Keystore), not in ordinary files or inside your projects, and they are never sent to our servers. Your videos also stay on your phone; we never upload them.
Still, treat a key like a password:
- Never share it in chats, screenshots or videos. Blur or cut it if it ever appears on screen.
- Create a separate key just for Cinematic Recorder, so you can revoke it without affecting other apps.
- If in doubt, revoke the old key on the provider's site and create a new one. It takes a minute.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an AI key to use the app?
No. Recording and editing work fully with AI off. A key is only for the optional AI features.
Where is my key stored?
In Android Keystore on your phone. It is never sent to our servers.
Does Premium include AI usage?
Your plan sets how many AI tasks you can run: 3 a day on the free plan, unlimited on Premium and 100 a month on Lifetime. The AI usage itself runs on your own key and is billed by the provider you choose. See the plans on our pricing section for what Premium includes.
Can I switch providers later?
Yes. Add a new key or pick another provider in the AI settings whenever you like. Your projects are not tied to any provider.
BYOK keeps the choice where it belongs: with you. Learn more about BYOK in Cinematic Recorder, then pick a provider and set up your first key.
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