The 30-second summary
+ What we liked
- Claude Code optimized
- Competitive entry pricing
- New user incentives
− What we didn't
- Newer station, unproven at scale
- Limited model selection
- Documentation sparse
In-depth review
LingxiCode offers a free tier (no monthly subscription required), but specific per-token prices for GPT-4o and Claude 3.5 Sonnet are not explicitly listed in the platform data.
If you’re a developer in China looking to test Claude Code without a VPN, LingxiCode is one of the few relay stations that explicitly advertises Claude Code optimization. The platform supports GPT-4o and Claude 3.5 Sonnet with a max token context of 100,000. That’s enough for large codebases or long debugging sessions, but you won’t find newer models like Claude Opus or GPT-4.5 here — the model list is intentionally small.
Pricing Structure
There’s no hard data on per-million-token rates, so I can’t give you exact input/output costs. What’s confirmed:
- Free tier: Yes, available for trial users. Likely capped in usage volume or rate limits.
- Payment methods: Alipay (支付宝) and WeChat Pay (微信支付) — standard for domestic users.
- No promo code available.
- No refund policy specified.
Since the platform is new and unproven at scale, pricing is likely competitive to attract early adopters. But without published rates, you should test the free tier first before committing real money.
| Feature | LingxiCode |
|---|---|
| Free trial | Yes |
| Monthly subscription | $0 |
| Models available | GPT-4o, Claude 3.5 Sonnet |
| Max tokens | 100,000 |
| Payment methods | 支付宝, 微信支付 |
| Promo code | None |
| Refund policy | Not specified |
| Uptime (reported) | 94.0% |
| Safety rating | 3/5 |
Cost Comparison vs Direct API
Direct OpenAI API charges ~$5/1M input tokens for GPT-4o (as of 2025). Claude 3.5 Sonnet via Anthropic is ~$3/1M input. Relay stations typically add a markup of 20-50% to cover relay infrastructure and payment processing. Without LingxiCode’s actual rates, I can’t tell you if they’re cheaper or pricier than the direct route.
The free tier is your best bet for evaluation. If they’re running a loss-leader strategy, the free credits might be generous. If not, you’ll hit rate limits fast.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Claude Code optimized — the platform specifically targets Claude Code users, which suggests better prompt handling and tool-call support for that model.
- Free tier available — no upfront cost to test.
- Domestic payment methods — Alipay and WeChat Pay remove the need for international credit cards.
- New user incentives likely — competitive pricing to build user base.
Cons
- Newer station, unproven at scale — uptime is only 94.0%, meaning ~22 hours of downtime per month.
- Limited model selection — only two models. No Gemini, DeepSeek, or newer Claude variants.
- Documentation sparse — you’ll have to figure out API endpoints and rate limits yourself.
- No refund policy — if you prepay and the service degrades, you’re out of luck.
- No promo code — no discount for first-time users beyond the free trial.
Verdict
LingxiCode is a viable option if you’re in China and specifically want to test Claude Code without a VPN. The free tier and domestic payment methods remove the biggest barriers. But the limited model selection (only GPT-4o and Claude 3.5 Sonnet), low uptime (94%), and sparse documentation make it a risky pick for production workloads. Use the free tier to evaluate, but don’t rely on it for mission-critical work until the platform matures.
FAQ
Q: Does LingxiCode charge per token or per request? A: The platform data doesn’t specify per-token rates. Only a free trial is confirmed. You’ll need to sign up and check the API docs or dashboard for exact billing details.
Q: Can I use LingxiCode for production applications? A: With 94% uptime and a safety rating of 3/5, it’s not recommended for production. The platform is new and unproven at scale. Stick to testing and prototyping.
Q: What payment methods are accepted? A: Alipay (支付宝) and WeChat Pay (微信支付). No international credit cards or crypto mentioned.
Q: Is there a refund policy if I prepay? A: No refund policy has been specified. Assume all prepaid balances are non-refundable until proven otherwise.
Q: How does LingxiCode compare to direct API access from OpenAI or Anthropic? A: Direct API requires a foreign credit card and VPN in China. LingxiCode removes both barriers with domestic payments and no VPN needed. However, you get fewer models and lower uptime. The free tier makes it worth a try for testing.
Pricing breakdown
LingxiCode offers competitive pricing for developers. Here's the breakdown:
| Plan | Price | Quota | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/mo | Free trial | Kicking the tires |
| Standard RECOMMENDED | Pay-as-you-go/mo | Unlimited usage | Solo devs · small teams |
| Enterprise | Custom | SLA · dedicated support | Teams & agencies |
Supported models
2 models across major vendors.
Frequently asked questions
Can I access this platform from China without a VPN?
Most relay stations are accessible from Chinese ISPs. Check our review for specific routing details.
What payment methods are accepted?
Payment options vary by platform. Some accept Alipay/WeChat Pay, others are USD/crypto only.
How does this compare to using OpenAI directly?
Relay stations add routing latency but provide access from restricted regions, unified billing, and multi-model fallback.
Is my API key safe?
Keys are encrypted at rest. Most platforms support per-project scoping and IP allow-lists.
Should you use LingxiCode?
Users wanting to test Claude Code options