Skip to main content

Claude Fable 5 vs Grok Code Fast 1

Pricing verdict: Claude Fable 5 vs Grok Code Fast 1: Grok Code Fast 1 is cheaper for input-heavy usage ($0.20/M vs $10.00/M input tokens), while Claude Fable 5 is better for long-context tasks (1,000,000 tokens).

Direct answer: choose Grok Code Fast 1 for lower token spend and choose Claude Fable 5 when your workload needs longer context.

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

Anthropic
Claude Fable 5
vs
xAI
Grok Code Fast 1

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

Claude Fable 5

Per Request:$0.035
Daily:$3.50
Monthly:$105.00
Yearly:$1,277.50

Grok Code Fast 1

Per Request:$0.000950
Daily:$0.095
Monthly:$2.85
Yearly:$34.675

Cost Differences

$0.03405
Per Request
$3.405
Daily
$102.15
Monthly
$1,242.825
Yearly

Grok Code Fast 1 costs less than Claude Fable 5

Quick Recommendation

Winner for direct API pricing: Grok Code Fast 1. At the default workload, Grok Code Fast 1 saves about $102.15/month ($1,242.825/year) versus Claude Fable 5.

Feature Comparison

FeatureClaude Fable 5Grok Code Fast 1
ProviderAnthropicxAI
Input Price$10.00/1M tokens$0.20/1M tokens
Output Price$50.00/1M tokens$1.50/1M tokens
Context Window1,000,000 tokens256,000 tokens
Max Output128,000 tokens32,768 tokens
Categoryflagshipstandard
Capabilities
textvisionreasoningcode
textcodereasoning
Release Date6/9/20262/1/2026

Claude Fable 5 vs Grok Code Fast 1: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between Claude Fable 5 and Grok Code Fast 1 depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. Grok Code Fast 1 is the more affordable option at $0.20/1M input tokens — 98% cheaper than Claude Fable 5. Meanwhile, Claude Fable 5 offers a significantly larger context window at 1,000,000 tokens vs 256,000 for Grok Code Fast 1.

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

These models target different tiers: Claude Fable 5 is a flagship model while Grok Code Fast 1 is standard. This means they're optimized for different workloads. Claude Fable 5 is built for complex tasks that require deeper reasoning, while Grok Code Fast 1 offers better value for routine operations.

Output costs matter too. Claude Fable 5 charges $50.00/1M output tokens vs $1.50 for Grok Code Fast 1. For generation-heavy workloads (content creation, code generation, summarization), output pricing often dominates your bill. Grok Code Fast 1 has the edge here at $1.50/1M output tokens.

Multimodal capabilities: Claude Fable 5 supports vision (image inputs) while Grok Code Fast 1 is text-only. If your application needs image understanding, this narrows your choice.

Best Use Cases

Choose Claude Fable 5 when:

  • • You need a larger context window (1,000,000 tokens)
  • • You need more capabilities (vision)
  • • You need longer outputs (up to 128,000 tokens)
  • • You're already using Anthropic's API ecosystem

Choose Grok Code Fast 1 when:

  • • Budget is a primary concern
  • • You're already using xAI's API ecosystem

Pros and Caveats at a Glance

Claude Fable 5

  • Input pricing: $10.00/M tokens
  • Output pricing: $50.00/M tokens
  • Context window: 1,000,000 tokens
  • Max output: 128,000 tokens

Watch out for

  • Higher input cost than Grok Code Fast 1
  • Higher output cost than Grok Code Fast 1

Grok Code Fast 1

  • Input pricing: $0.20/M tokens
  • Output pricing: $1.50/M tokens
  • Context window: 256,000 tokens
  • Max output: 32,768 tokens

Watch out for

  • Smaller context window than Claude Fable 5

Try Different Scenarios

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

Claude Fable 5 (Anthropic)

Grok Code Fast 1 (xAI)

Start using Claude Fable 5 today

Sign Up for Anthropic

Start using Grok Code Fast 1 today

Sign Up for xAI

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, Claude Fable 5 or Grok Code Fast 1?
Grok Code Fast 1 is cheaper for input tokens at $0.20 per million tokens vs $10.00 for Claude Fable 5 — that's 98% savings on input costs.
What is the context window difference between Claude Fable 5 and Grok Code Fast 1?
Claude Fable 5 supports 1,000,000 tokens while Grok Code Fast 1 supports 256,000 tokens — a difference of 744,000 tokens in favor of Claude Fable 5.
Which model is better for AI Agent / Agentic Workflows?
Both models support text, code, reasoning. For ai agent / agentic workflows, Grok Code Fast 1 is the lower-cost option, while Claude Fable 5 offers a larger context window (1,000,000 vs 256,000 tokens). Choose Grok Code Fast 1 for budget sensitivity or Claude Fable 5 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 Fable 5 costs about $105.00/month and Grok Code Fast 1 costs about $2.85/month. Overall, Grok Code Fast 1 has lower combined input + output rates ($0.20 in, $1.50 out) vs Claude Fable 5.
Where can I compare Anthropic and xAI API pricing beyond this model matchup?
See the Anthropic vs xAI provider comparison page for lineup-level averages, then review each model page for exact per-token rates.

Related Comparisons

Related Articles

Learn when to pick each model, then compare live pricing scenarios.