Why do I need an API key?
PDF AI Suite uses AI services for translation, summaries, and chat. You choose your preferred provider (Gemini, ChatGPT, or Groq) and provide your own API key, so you have full control over your usage and costs. Gemini and Groq both offer generous free tiers.
PDF AI Suite uses AI services for translation, summaries, and chat. You choose your preferred provider (Gemini, ChatGPT, or Groq) and provide your own API key, so you have full control over your usage and costs. Gemini and Groq both offer generous free tiers.
Choose Your AI Provider
PDF AI Suite supports three AI providers. You only need one API key to use all AI features (translation, summary, and chat). Pick the one that fits you best:
- Google Gemini — Fast and accurate. Generous free tier. Recommended for most users.
- OpenAI ChatGPT — Industry-leading quality. Paid (pay-as-you-go), but very affordable for typical use.
- Groq — Ultra-fast inference with open-source models. Free tier available.
Option 1: Google Gemini (Recommended)
The simplest way to get started. Completely free for personal use.
- Go to Google AI Studio
- Sign in with your Google account
- Click Create API key
- Copy the key that appears
- Open PDF AI Suite → Settings → API Keys
- Paste the key in the Gemini API Key field
- Click Save, then Test to verify
Free tier: Gemini offers a generous free tier with plenty of requests per minute. For typical personal use (translating and summarizing documents), you won't need to pay anything.
Option 2: OpenAI ChatGPT
Industry-leading AI quality. Requires a paid account but is very affordable.
- Go to platform.openai.com
- Sign up or sign in
- Add a payment method at Billing (minimum $5 credit)
- Go to API Keys
- Click Create new secret key
- Copy the key (starts with
sk-...) - Open PDF AI Suite → Settings → API Keys
- Paste the key in the ChatGPT (OpenAI) API Key field
- Click Save, then Test to verify
Pricing: PDF AI Suite uses the cost-effective
gpt-4o-mini model. Typical usage costs just a few cents for translating or summarizing several documents. See OpenAI pricing for current rates.
Option 3: Groq
Ultra-fast AI inference with open-source models. Free tier available.
- Go to console.groq.com
- Sign up or sign in (Google or GitHub account)
- Click API Keys in the top menu
- Click Create API Key
- Give it a name (e.g., "PDF AI Suite") and click Submit
- Copy the key (starts with
gsk_...) - Open PDF AI Suite → Settings → API Keys
- Paste the key in the Groq API Key field
- Click Save, then Test to verify
Free tier: Groq offers a generous free tier with high rate limits. PDF AI Suite uses the
llama-3.3-70b-versatile model which provides excellent quality at no cost.
Using Your Key in PDF AI Suite
- Open PDF AI Suite on your Mac or iPhone
- Open any PDF document
- Click the Translation, Summary, or Chat tab in the right panel
- Use the provider picker to select Gemini, ChatGPT, or Groq
- Click the action button (Translate, Summarize, or send a chat message)
You can switch between providers at any time. A green checkmark in Settings indicates the key is valid and working.
Troubleshooting
Key shows "Invalid"
- Make sure you copied the entire key (no extra spaces)
- Verify you're pasting the key in the correct field (Gemini, ChatGPT, or Groq)
- For OpenAI: make sure you have a payment method and credits on your account
- Try creating a new key if the issue persists
"Rate limit exceeded" or "Too many requests"
- Free tiers have usage limits per minute. Wait a moment and try again
- For heavy use, consider switching to a different provider
"Model is overloaded" (503 errors)
- AI servers can sometimes be busy. Try again in a few seconds
- Switch to a different provider if one is consistently slow
Need Help?
If you're having trouble setting up your API keys, contact us:
- Email: support@pdfaisuite.com
- Include your error message and we'll help you resolve it
Last updated: April 2026