Codex Mini vs Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite Preview
Compare OpenAI and Google AI models
Cost Comparison (1000 input + 500 output tokens, 100 requests/day)
Codex Mini
Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite Preview
Cost Differences
Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite Preview costs less than Codex Mini
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Codex Mini | Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite Preview |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | OpenAI | |
| Input Price | $1.50/1M tokens | $0.25/1M tokens |
| Output Price | $6.00/1M tokens | $1.50/1M tokens |
| Context Window | 200,000 tokens | 1,000,000 tokens |
| Max Output | 32,768 tokens | 8,192 tokens |
| Category | efficient | efficient |
| Capabilities | textcodereasoning | textvisioncode |
| Release Date | 2/2/2026 | 3/3/2026 |
Codex Mini vs Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite Preview: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between Codex Mini and Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite Preview depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite Preview is the more affordable option at $0.25/1M input tokens — 83% cheaper than Codex Mini. Meanwhile, Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite Preview offers a significantly larger context window at 1,000,000 tokens vs 200,000 for Codex Mini.
These models come from different providers — OpenAI and Google — which means different API ecosystems, SDKs, rate limits, and terms of service. If you're already integrated with OpenAI, switching to Googleinvolves migration effort beyond just pricing. Factor in your existing infrastructure when deciding.
Both models are in the efficient category, making this a direct head-to-head comparison. At scale — say 10,000 requests per day — the cost difference adds up: Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite Preview would save you roughly $1,050.00/month compared to Codex Mini. For startups and indie developers, that difference can be significant.
Output costs matter too. Codex Mini charges $6.00/1M output tokens vs $1.50 for Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite Preview. For generation-heavy workloads (content creation, code generation, summarization), output pricing often dominates your bill. Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite Preview has the edge here at $1.50/1M output tokens.
Multimodal capabilities: Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite Preview supports vision (image inputs) while Codex Mini is text-only. If your application needs image understanding, this narrows your choice.
Best Use Cases
Choose Codex Mini when:
- • You need longer outputs (up to 32,768 tokens)
- • You're already using OpenAI's API ecosystem
- • You're running high-volume, latency-sensitive workloads
Choose Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite Preview when:
- • Budget is a primary concern
- • You need a larger context window (1,000,000 tokens)
- • You're already using Google's API ecosystem
- • You're running high-volume, latency-sensitive workloads
Try Different Scenarios
Use the calculator below to see how costs change with different usage patterns
Codex Mini (OpenAI)
Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite Preview (Google)
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