Skip to content

Docs · OpenAI · Reference

Setting up an OpenAI API organization for business use

For it, developers, finance.

Short answer

Set up the OpenAI API platform as an organization owned by your company, with one project per application, keys scoped to projects, service accounts for production systems, and monthly budgets and alerts. API billing is separate from ChatGPT subscriptions, so plan and approve them separately.

Structure

  • Organization owned by a company account, not a personal login. Add at least two owners.
  • Projects, one per application or integration, so keys, limits, data settings and spend are separated.
  • Service accounts for production systems, so integrations don't break when a person leaves.
  • Members invited with the least role they need.

Billing and limits

  • API usage is billed on the platform account, separately from ChatGPT Business or Enterprise seats.
  • Set a monthly budget and alert thresholds at the organization and project level.
  • Rate limits rise with your usage tier. Check the limits for the models you plan to use before a launch.

Keys

  • Create keys per project, store them in a secrets manager or your platform's protected settings, and never in code, spreadsheets or chat.
  • Rotate keys on a schedule and when anyone with access leaves.
  • Delete keys that haven't been used in 90 days.

Data settings

Review the organization's data controls before sending client data: retention, any Zero Data Retention or data residency approvals, and which features store content. See the API data controls doc for details.

Official documentation

Frequently asked questions

Is OpenAI API billing the same as a ChatGPT subscription?

No. API usage is billed on the OpenAI platform account, separately from ChatGPT Business or Enterprise seats. Budget and approve them separately.

How should we organize OpenAI API keys?

One project per application, keys created inside each project, service accounts for production systems, and keys stored in a secrets manager and rotated regularly.

Salesforce, HubSpot, Anthropic and OpenAI change their products often. Check the official documentation before you rely on a specific setting, limit or price.

Last reviewed October 9, 2026 by the Vantage Point team. Browse all docs