Synthetic.new is a privacy-first AI model provider offering access to frontier open-source models with competitive pricing and impressive performance.
In my provider setup, Synthetic.new is my primary provider offering access to MiniMax M2.1 alongside 20+ other models:
- MiniMax M2.1: Fast, efficient coding assistance
- Kimi thinking: Deep reasoning for complex problems
- GLM-4.6: Reliable everyday coding
- 20+ models: Flexibility for any task
When to use Synthetic.new vs direct MiniMax:
| Use Case | Recommended |
|---|---|
| Model variety needed | Synthetic.new |
| Privacy-first development | Synthetic.new |
| Focused MiniMax usage | MiniMax Coding Plan |
| Multiple model experiments | Synthetic.new |
| Dedicated MiniMax subscription | MiniMax Coding Plan |
Choose Synthetic.new for access to multiple models in one subscription. Choose direct MiniMax for focused, dedicated MiniMax access with competitive pricing.
Sign up with my referral for $10 first month
- Perfect for individuals starting out
- Access to all always-on models
- Both UI and API access
- Cancel anytime
- Standard rate limits: 135 messages every five hours
- 3x higher rate limits than Claude's $20/month plan
- For professionals and avid LLM users
- Access to all always-on models
- Both UI and API access
- Cancel anytime
- 10x higher rate limits: 1,350 messages every five hours
- 6x higher rate limits than Claude's $100/month plan
- 50% higher rate limits than Claude's $200/month plan
- For enterprise users and custom models
- Pay-per-token for always-on models
- Pay-per-minute for on-demand models
- UI and API access included
- All-inclusive pricing: One flat monthly price includes all always-on models
- No weekly limits: Only rate limits per 5-hour window
- Extensive model library: 20+ frontier models including MiniMax M2.1, DeepSeek, Llama, Qwen, GLM, and Kimi
- Privacy-first approach: No worries about code privacy
- High-speed performance: Up to 200 tokens per second
- Regular updates: New models added frequently
The author of this guide is currently testing a Synthetic.new subscription using the octofriend CLI, and the offering has proven impressive on several fronts:
The API works seamlessly with very good performance. GLM-4.6 reaches 200 tokens per second, making it twice as fast as the GLM coding plan from z.ai. This speed advantage is consistent across the model lineup.
What makes Synthetic.new stand out is its privacy-first approach. There's no need to worry about the privacy of code you're developing, which is crucial for professional development work.
For a fair price, you receive 3x the amount of messages compared to Claude Code, plus access to the majority of frontier open-source models. The seamless experience across all areas makes it compelling for:
- Privacy-conscious developers who want to ensure their code remains private
- Model experimenters who want to test different model schemes without multiple providers
- Developers seeking reliability with single-provider uptime and consistent speed
Compared to alternatives like OpenRouter or Chutes.ai:
- Speed advantage: Synthetic.new delivers significantly faster response times
- Reliability: Better uptime and more consistent performance
- Simplicity: Single provider access to multiple models vs managing multiple services
Synthetic.new frequently introduces new models like MiniMax M2.1, providing easy access to cutting-edge models alongside established ones like DeepSeek and Kimi. This rapid model rollout keeps developers at the forefront of AI capabilities.
The combination of privacy, performance, competitive pricing, and extensive model selection makes Synthetic.new an intriguing option for developers looking for a comprehensive AI model solution.
Best Used In:
- Phase 1: Planning - Privacy-first planning discussions
- Phase 2: Development - Code generation with privacy assurance
- Phase 3: Testing & Debugging - Secure debugging sessions
Privacy-First Workflows:
- Droid CLI — Private coding assistance
- Context7 MCP — Secure documentation access
- Octofriend CLI — Tested integration
Budget Comparison:
- Compare with GLM Coding Plan for cost analysis
- Consider free alternatives for budget constraints
- See Phase 0 tool selection for upgrade timing
Performance Integration:
- DevTools MCP — Testing with fast 200 tokens/sec response
- Sequential Thinking MCP — Enhanced problem-solving with multiple models
Ready to try Synthetic.new? Sign up with my link to support the guide and get started with privacy-first AI model access.