Moving from tokencost to Veqen

Replace string-based token estimates with the usage providers report, priced with caching, batch and tier rules.

By Keyveve, Inc. · Updated 2026-10-22

tokencost estimates cost by counting tokens in your prompt and completion strings. That works for simple chat calls, but it can't see cached input, reasoning tokens, tool definitions, images or batch discounts, so estimates drift from the bill.

Veqen prices the usage the provider actually reports for each call.

Replace the estimate

# Before
from tokencost import calculate_completion_cost, calculate_prompt_cost

cost = calculate_prompt_cost(messages, model) + calculate_completion_cost(text, model)

# After: let the wrapper price every call
import veqen
client = veqen.wrap(OpenAI())
response = client.chat.completions.create(model=model, messages=messages)  # recorded and priced in the background

If you only need a number for a call you made yourself:

usage = response.usage
cached = usage.prompt_tokens_details.cached_tokens
veqen.cost(model, usage.prompt_tokens - cached, usage.completion_tokens, cache_read_tokens=cached)

Differences you'll notice

Both are open source; Veqen's price book is also published as prices.json if you want the rates without the SDK.