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Claude 3.5 Sonnet vs GPT-4.1 nano

Claude 3.5 Sonnet vs GPT-4.1 nano: GPT-4.1 nano is cheaper for input-heavy usage ($0.10/M vs $3.00/M input tokens), while Claude 3.5 Sonnet is better for long-context tasks (200,000 tokens).

Direct answer: choose GPT-4.1 nano for lower token spend and choose Claude 3.5 Sonnet when your workload needs longer context.

Compare input and output token pricing, context windows, and monthly cost estimates on one page so you can pick the cheaper model fast.

Anthropic
Claude 3.5 Sonnet
vs
OpenAI
GPT-4.1 nano

Cost Comparison (1000 input + 500 output tokens, 100 requests/day)

Claude 3.5 Sonnet

Per Request:$0.0105
Daily:$1.05
Monthly:$31.50
Yearly:$383.25

GPT-4.1 nano

Per Request:$0.000300
Daily:$0.03
Monthly:$0.90
Yearly:$10.95

Cost Differences

$0.0102
Per Request
$1.02
Daily
$30.60
Monthly
$372.30
Yearly

GPT-4.1 nano costs less than Claude 3.5 Sonnet

Quick Recommendation

Winner for direct API pricing: GPT-4.1 nano. At the default workload, GPT-4.1 nano saves about $30.60/month ($372.30/year) versus Claude 3.5 Sonnet.

Feature Comparison

FeatureClaude 3.5 SonnetGPT-4.1 nano
ProviderAnthropicOpenAI
Input Price$3.00/1M tokens$0.10/1M tokens
Output Price$15.00/1M tokens$0.40/1M tokens
Context Window200,000 tokens128,000 tokens
Max Output8,192 tokens8,192 tokens
Categorybalancedefficient
Capabilities
textvisioncode
text
Release Date10/22/20244/14/2025

Claude 3.5 Sonnet vs GPT-4.1 nano: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between Claude 3.5 Sonnet and GPT-4.1 nano depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. GPT-4.1 nano is the more affordable option at $0.10/1M input tokens97% cheaper than Claude 3.5 Sonnet. Meanwhile, Claude 3.5 Sonnet offers a significantly larger context window at 200,000 tokens vs 128,000 for GPT-4.1 nano.

These models come from different providers — Anthropic and OpenAI — which means different API ecosystems, SDKs, rate limits, and terms of service. If you're already integrated with Anthropic, switching to OpenAIinvolves migration effort beyond just pricing. Factor in your existing infrastructure when deciding.

These models target different tiers: Claude 3.5 Sonnet is a balanced model while GPT-4.1 nano is efficient. This means they're optimized for different workloads. GPT-4.1 nano targets more demanding workloads, while Claude 3.5 Sonnet provides a cost-effective option for everyday tasks.

Output costs matter too. Claude 3.5 Sonnet charges $15.00/1M output tokens vs $0.40 for GPT-4.1 nano. For generation-heavy workloads (content creation, code generation, summarization), output pricing often dominates your bill. GPT-4.1 nano has the edge here at $0.40/1M output tokens.

Multimodal capabilities: Claude 3.5 Sonnet supports vision (image inputs) while GPT-4.1 nano is text-only. If your application needs image understanding, this narrows your choice.

Best Use Cases

Choose Claude 3.5 Sonnet when:

  • • You need a larger context window (200,000 tokens)
  • • You need more capabilities (vision, code)
  • • You're already using Anthropic's API ecosystem

Choose GPT-4.1 nano when:

  • • Budget is a primary concern
  • • You're already using OpenAI's API ecosystem
  • • You're running high-volume, latency-sensitive workloads

Pros and Caveats at a Glance

Claude 3.5 Sonnet

  • Input pricing: $3.00/M tokens
  • Output pricing: $15.00/M tokens
  • Context window: 200,000 tokens
  • Max output: 8,192 tokens

Watch out for

  • Higher input cost than GPT-4.1 nano
  • Higher output cost than GPT-4.1 nano

GPT-4.1 nano

  • Input pricing: $0.10/M tokens
  • Output pricing: $0.40/M tokens
  • Context window: 128,000 tokens
  • Max output: 8,192 tokens

Watch out for

  • Smaller context window than Claude 3.5 Sonnet

Try Different Scenarios

Use the calculator below to see how costs change with different usage patterns

Claude 3.5 Sonnet (Anthropic)

GPT-4.1 nano (OpenAI)

Start using Claude 3.5 Sonnet today

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Start using GPT-4.1 nano today

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, Claude 3.5 Sonnet or GPT-4.1 nano?
GPT-4.1 nano is cheaper for input tokens at $0.10 per million tokens vs $3.00 for Claude 3.5 Sonnet — that's 97% savings on input costs.
What is the context window difference between Claude 3.5 Sonnet and GPT-4.1 nano?
Claude 3.5 Sonnet supports 200,000 tokens while GPT-4.1 nano supports 128,000 tokens — a difference of 72,000 tokens in favor of Claude 3.5 Sonnet.
Which model is better for AI Chatbot?
Both models support text. For ai chatbot, GPT-4.1 nano is the lower-cost option, while Claude 3.5 Sonnet offers a larger context window (200,000 vs 128,000 tokens). Choose GPT-4.1 nano for budget sensitivity or Claude 3.5 Sonnet for longer context tasks.
Which model has better overall pricing for heavy usage?
At 100 requests/day with 1,000 input and 500 output tokens each, Claude 3.5 Sonnet costs about $31.50/month and GPT-4.1 nano costs about $0.90/month. Overall, GPT-4.1 nano has lower combined input + output rates ($0.10 in, $0.40 out) vs Claude 3.5 Sonnet.
Where can I compare Anthropic and OpenAI API pricing beyond this model matchup?
See the Anthropic vs OpenAI provider comparison page for lineup-level averages, then review each model page for exact per-token rates.

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