App Builder: Credit-Based Pricing is Legacy as Shift to Capacity Models Grows
dakrclaud · reddit · 2026-08-22
An AI app builder argues that the industry standard of metering usage by tokens (credits) is becoming obsolete. This model was inherited from API costs, but suppliers like OpenAI and Anthropic are now selling AI as a capacity-based utility (e.g., Claude Code's weekly limits) to consumers, undercutting middlemen who still charge per token. The author proposes three paths for app builders: becoming a model provider (difficult), focusing on enterprise, or shifting to a "bring your own key" model where the builder charges for infra (hosting, DB, auth) rather than reselling tokens. The bet is on the third path, serving users who want convenience without paying a markup on model access.
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