I Compared 5 Ways to Track LLM API Costs (Only One Works in Real Time)

#ai #llm #productivity #showdev

If you're on pay-per-token plans, you've probably been surprised by a bill at least once. Here's how the main options compare:

1. Provider Dashboard (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.)

Updates every few hours
No per-session breakdown
Free
Problem: By the time you check, you've already overspent

2. LiteLLM Proxy

Tracks costs across providers
Requires self-hosting
Free/open source
Problem: Setup overhead, not real-time visibility while you work

3. Helicone

Great logging and analytics
Proxy-based, requires routing traffic through them
Free tier available
Problem: Dashboard-based, not ambient visibility

4. Custom Scripts

Parse API responses for token counts
Multiply by per-token pricing
Free
Problem: Breaks every time pricing changes, high maintenance

5. TokenBar (menu bar counter)

Shows live token count and cost in your macOS menu bar
Works across Claude, OpenAI, OpenRouter
$5 one-time
The difference: You see costs while you work, not after

Why Real-Time Matters

The problem with dashboards is behavioral. You don't check them while you're deep in a debugging session. A menu bar counter is always visible, like a gas gauge. You naturally start:

Killing runaway loops faster
Switching to cheaper models for simple tasks
Writing tighter prompts

I cut my monthly spend by about 40% just from having the number visible.

Quick Comparison

Tool	Real-time	Setup	Cost	Works across providers
Provider dashboard	No (hours delayed)	None	Free	No (one provider)
LiteLLM	Near real-time	Self-host proxy	Free	Yes
Helicone	Near real-time	Route through proxy	Freemium	Yes
Custom scripts	Yes	Build + maintain	Free	DIY
TokenBar	Yes (menu bar)	Install app	$5 once	Yes