Manual vs Automatic Tracking | Paygent Documentation

Understanding when to use manual tracking versus automatic tracking helps you choose the best approach for your application.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Manual Tracking	Automatic Tracking (Wrapper)
Code Complexity	~40 lines per API call	~15 lines total setup
Token Counting	Extract from API response	Automatic via wrapper
Error Prone	Can forget to track calls	Impossible to miss
Flexibility	Full control over data	Standardized tracking
Setup Time	5-10 min per integration	2 min one-time setup
Maintenance	Update code for each call	Zero ongoing maintenance
Best For	Custom providers, special cases	OpenAI, Gemini, standard usage
Code Reduction	Baseline	~60% less code

✓ Use Manual When:

Using a provider without automatic wrapper support
Want granular control over what’s tracked
Building custom AI solutions

✓ Use Automatic When:

Want minimal code and setup
Need reliable, consistent tracking
Building standard AI applications (Recommended!)

Recommendation. For most users, automatic tracking is the best choice. It’s simpler, more reliable, and easier to maintain. Only use manual tracking if you have specific requirements that automatic tracking doesn’t support.