Google AI Studio Usage Guide: 3 Ways to Access Gemini Models Easily

Key Highlights

What is Google AI Studio: Google’s free online AI development platform for testing Gemini models directly in your browser
Why API Key Required: Paid models (like Nano Banana Pro for image generation) require Google Cloud billing setup, which has high barriers
Solution 1: API Relay Service: Use APIYi at 80% discount from official pricing, ideal for API integration scenarios
Solution 2: Membership Proxy: Get Gemini membership via third-party proxy at ¥230/month, enjoy native interactive experience
Solution 3: Official Subscription: Subscribe to Google AI Pro/Ultra directly, requires overseas payment method

What is Google AI Studio?

Product Overview

Google AI Studio is a browser-based integrated development environment (IDE) launched by Google, designed to help developers, students, and researchers quickly experience and build applications based on Gemini models. No installation required - simply visit aistudio.google.com to get started immediately.

Core Features

Rapid Prototyping

Visual prompt engineering
Real-time model testing
Conversation flow design

Multimodal Support

Text, image, audio, video
File upload and analysis
Google Drive integration

Free to Use

Completely free access to all models
60 requests per minute
No credit card required (basic features)

Code Generation

Auto-generate API call code
Support multiple programming languages
One-click project export

Use Cases

Quick Testing: Test prompt effectiveness in AI Studio before writing code
Model Comparison: Test multiple models simultaneously to choose the best fit
Educational Learning: Students and teachers can learn AI development for free
Prototype Demos: Showcase AI functionality prototypes to clients or teams

Why Does Nano Banana Pro Require API Key Binding?

What is Nano Banana Pro?

Nano Banana Pro is Google’s latest image generation model released in November 2025, also known as Gemini 3 Pro Image. It can generate high-quality images at 1080p, 2K, and even 4K resolutions, making it Google’s most powerful image generation model to date.

Why is API Key Required?

Unlike text models like Gemini 2.5 Flash, Nano Banana Pro has no free quota. This means:

Billing Requirements

Must create a Google Cloud project and enable billing
Must bind a valid credit card (typically requires overseas credit card)
Google will verify credit card validity and cardholder identity
Pricing: $0.139/image (1080p/2K), $0.24/image (4K)

What are the Barriers?

Many users face the following challenges when trying to use Nano Banana Pro:

Overseas Credit Card Requirement: Google Cloud typically requires overseas credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, etc.)
Strict Verification: Google verifies cardholder identity; some cards may fail verification
Complex Process: Requires registering Google Cloud, creating projects, setting up billing accounts, etc.
Exchange Rate Loss: Foreign currency payments may incur exchange rate losses and processing fees

Key InformationThe API Key bound in Google AI Studio is actually a Google Cloud API Key, not a simple AI Studio Key. This means you need Google Cloud billing permissions, which is the main reason for the high barrier.

Three Solution Comparison

To address these barriers, we offer three solutions with different pros and cons. Choose based on your needs.

Solution 1: API Relay Service (APIYi)

Suitable For: Developers, enterprise users, scenarios requiring extensive API calls

APIYi - 80% Discount from Official Pricing

Core Advantages

Ultra-Low Pricing: Only 20% of official pricing, significantly reducing costs
No Overseas Credit Card: Supports domestic payment methods (WeChat Pay, Alipay, etc.)
Instant Access: Register to get API Key immediately, no complex configuration
High Concurrency Support: Supports over 500 concurrent requests
Stable & Reliable: 24/7 technical support

Setup Steps

Visit APIYi website: apiyi.com
Register and top up (multiple payment methods supported)
Get API Key
Use OpenAI SDK format (set base_url to APIYi endpoint)

Code Example

import openai

client = openai.OpenAI(
    api_key="your-apiyi-api-key",
    base_url="https://api.apiyi.com/v1"
)

# Call Nano Banana Pro (Gemini 3 Pro Image)
response = client.images.generate(
    model="nano-banana-pro",
    prompt="A futuristic city with flying cars at sunset",
    size="1080p"
)

print(response.data[0].url)

Disadvantages

Interface: Cannot use Google AI Studio’s native visual interface
Feature Limitations: Only supports API calls, not AI Studio’s advanced features (like real-time streaming, screen sharing, etc.)
Relay Dependency: Depends on third-party service, requires trust in relay provider’s stability

Applicable Scenarios

Need to integrate into your own app or website
Bulk image generation at scale
Price-sensitive, want to reduce costs
Don’t need AI Studio’s visual interface

Solution 2: Membership Proxy Service

Suitable For: Individual users, content creators, users needing native experience

Third-Party Membership Proxy

Core Advantages

Native Experience: Full access to all Google AI Studio features
Affordable Pricing: Around ¥230/month, lower than official Pro subscription (¥144 official, but requires overseas payment)
No Overseas Credit Card: Bypass payment barrier through proxy service
Extra Benefits: 2TB cloud storage, Veo 2 video generation, etc.

Membership Benefits

Gemini Pro (¥230/month):
- 100 Gemini 2.5 Pro conversations daily
- 1000 images generated daily
- 3 Veo 3 Fast videos daily
- 2TB cloud storage
- 20 Deep Research reports daily
Gemini Ultra (Contact for pricing):
- 500 conversations with any model daily
- 1000 images generated daily
- 5 Veo 3 videos daily
- 30TB cloud storage
- 200 Deep Research reports daily

Disadvantages

Monthly Payment: Requires continuous membership fees, not suitable for low-frequency use
Third-Party Dependency: Relies on proxy service, involves certain risks
Account Security: Need to provide Google account information, potential security concerns

Applicable Scenarios

Need to use Google AI Studio’s visual interface
Frequently use Gemini for conversations, image generation, video generation
Need not only API but complete AI tool suite
Require native experience

Solution 3: Official Subscription

Suitable For: Users with overseas payment methods, enterprise users

Google AI Pro / Ultra - Official Subscription

Official Pricing

Google AI Pro: $19.99/month (approximately ¥144 RMB)
Google AI Ultra: $249.99/month (approximately ¥1,803 RMB)

Subscription Method

Visit Google Gemini subscription page: gemini.google/subscriptions/
Choose Pro or Ultra plan
Bind overseas credit card or PayPal
Complete payment

Core Advantages

Official Service: Highest security and stability
Complete Features: All latest features available first
No Intermediary Fees: Pay directly to Google, no extra costs

Disadvantages

Payment Barrier: Requires overseas credit card or PayPal
Higher Pricing: Ultra plan is expensive (nearly ¥2000/month)
Exchange Rate Fluctuation: Foreign currency payment may be affected by exchange rates

Applicable Scenarios

Already have overseas payment methods
Enterprise users needing highest level of service guarantee
Strict requirements for data security and privacy

Solution Comparison Summary

Comparison	API Relay (APIYi)	Membership Proxy	Official Subscription
Price	20% of official (lowest)	¥230/month	$19.99-$249.99/month
Payment	Domestic payments	Domestic payments	Overseas card/PayPal
Interface	API only	Full native interface	Full native interface
Completeness	API calls	All features	All features
Concurrency	500+	Depends on plan	Depends on plan
Best For	Developers/API integration	Individuals/creators	Enterprises/overseas users
Barrier	Very low	Low	High (overseas payment)

Usage Recommendations

If You’re a Developer

Recommended: Solution 1 - API Relay Service (APIYi)

Lowest price (20% of official)
High concurrency support (500+)
No overseas credit card required
Perfect for app integration

If You’re a Content Creator

Recommended: Solution 2 - Membership Proxy

Full Google AI Studio experience
Complete suite including image, video generation, conversations
¥230/month good value
No overseas credit card required

If You’re an Enterprise User

Recommended: Solution 3 - Official Subscription

Highest level of service guarantee
Data security and privacy protection
Suitable for enterprises with overseas payment methods
Ultra plan for high-frequency scenarios

FAQ

Q1: How does APIYi achieve 80% discount?

APIYi achieves lower costs through bulk purchasing and optimized technical architecture. As a relay platform, it eliminates the complex process of users directly interfacing with Google Cloud, reducing operational costs.

Q2: Is membership proxy safe?

Choosing reputable proxy services is relatively safe, but note:

Select platforms with good reputation
Don’t use main account, recommend separate Google account
Regularly change passwords, enable two-factor authentication

Q3: What’s the difference between free Google AI Studio and paid membership?

Item	Free	AI Pro	AI Ultra
Gemini 2.5 Pro conversations	5/day	100/day	500/day
Image generation	100/day	1000/day	1000/day
Veo video generation	Not supported	3/day	5/day
Deep Research	5/month	20/day	200/day
Cloud storage	15GB	2TB	30TB

Q4: How to choose the right solution?

Low-frequency use: Free Google AI Studio (less than 5 conversations daily)
API integration: APIYi relay (low price, high concurrency)
Daily creation: Membership proxy (full experience, reasonable price)
Enterprise applications: Official subscription (highest guarantee)

Summary

Google AI Studio is a powerful AI development platform, but the overseas credit card barrier for using paid models like Nano Banana Pro stops many users. The three solutions introduced in this article each have pros and cons:

API Relay Service (APIYi): Best for developers, lowest price (80% off), but API-only
Membership Proxy: Best for individuals and creators, ¥230/month, full native experience
Official Subscription: Best for enterprises and users with overseas payment methods, highest security

Whichever solution you choose, you can easily experience Gemini’s powerful capabilities. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our technical support team!

Information Sources & Update Date

Google AI Studio Official Documentation: ai.google.dev/aistudio
Nano Banana Pro Official Announcement: Google Developers Blog (November 20, 2025)
Gemini Subscription Plans: gemini.google/subscriptions/
Pricing Information: Google AI Studio Pricing Page
Data Retrieved: November 24, 2025

Latest Updates

​Key Highlights

​What is Google AI Studio?

​Product Overview

​Core Features

Rapid Prototyping

Multimodal Support

Free to Use

Code Generation

​Use Cases

​Why Does Nano Banana Pro Require API Key Binding?

​What is Nano Banana Pro?

​Why is API Key Required?

​What are the Barriers?

​Three Solution Comparison

​Solution 1: API Relay Service (APIYi)

APIYi - 80% Discount from Official Pricing

​Solution 2: Membership Proxy Service

Third-Party Membership Proxy

​Solution 3: Official Subscription

Google AI Pro / Ultra - Official Subscription

​Solution Comparison Summary

​Usage Recommendations

​If You’re a Developer

​If You’re a Content Creator

​If You’re an Enterprise User

​FAQ

​Q1: How does APIYi achieve 80% discount?

​Q2: Is membership proxy safe?

​Q3: What’s the difference between free Google AI Studio and paid membership?

​Q4: How to choose the right solution?

​Summary

Key Highlights

What is Google AI Studio?

Product Overview

Core Features

Use Cases

Why Does Nano Banana Pro Require API Key Binding?

What is Nano Banana Pro?

Why is API Key Required?

What are the Barriers?

Three Solution Comparison

Solution 1: API Relay Service (APIYi)

Solution 2: Membership Proxy Service

Solution 3: Official Subscription

Solution Comparison Summary

Usage Recommendations

If You’re a Developer

If You’re a Content Creator

If You’re an Enterprise User

FAQ

Q1: How does APIYi achieve 80% discount?

Q2: Is membership proxy safe?

Q3: What’s the difference between free Google AI Studio and paid membership?

Q4: How to choose the right solution?

Summary