Codex Mini vs GPT-4o mini
Codex Mini vs GPT-4o mini: GPT-4o mini is cheaper for input-heavy usage ($0.15/M vs $1.50/M input tokens), while Codex Mini is better for long-context tasks (200,000 tokens).
Direct answer: choose GPT-4o mini for lower token spend and choose Codex Mini 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.
Cost Comparison (1000 input + 500 output tokens, 100 requests/day)
Codex Mini
GPT-4o mini
Cost Differences
GPT-4o mini costs less than Codex Mini
Quick Recommendation
Winner for direct API pricing: GPT-4o mini. At the default workload, GPT-4o mini saves about $12.15/month ($147.825/year) versus Codex Mini.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Codex Mini | GPT-4o mini |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | OpenAI | OpenAI |
| Input Price | $1.50/1M tokens | $0.15/1M tokens |
| Output Price | $6.00/1M tokens | $0.60/1M tokens |
| Context Window | 200,000 tokens | 128,000 tokens |
| Max Output | 32,768 tokens | 16,384 tokens |
| Category | efficient | efficient |
| Capabilities | textcodereasoning | textvision |
| Release Date | 2/2/2026 | 7/18/2024 |
Codex Mini vs GPT-4o mini: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between Codex Mini and GPT-4o mini depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. GPT-4o mini is the more affordable option at $0.15/1M input tokens — 90% cheaper than Codex Mini. Meanwhile, Codex Mini offers a significantly larger context window at 200,000 tokens vs 128,000 for GPT-4o mini.
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: GPT-4o mini would save you roughly $1,215.00/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 $0.60 for GPT-4o mini. For generation-heavy workloads (content creation, code generation, summarization), output pricing often dominates your bill. GPT-4o mini has the edge here at $0.60/1M output tokens.
Multimodal capabilities: GPT-4o mini 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 a larger context window (200,000 tokens)
- • You need more capabilities (code, reasoning)
- • 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 GPT-4o mini 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
Codex Mini
- • Input pricing: $1.50/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $6.00/M tokens
- • Context window: 200,000 tokens
- • Max output: 32,768 tokens
Watch out for
- • Higher input cost than GPT-4o mini
- • Higher output cost than GPT-4o mini
GPT-4o mini
- • Input pricing: $0.15/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $0.60/M tokens
- • Context window: 128,000 tokens
- • Max output: 16,384 tokens
Watch out for
- • Smaller context window than Codex Mini
Try Different Scenarios
Use the calculator below to see how costs change with different usage patterns
Codex Mini (OpenAI)
GPT-4o mini (OpenAI)
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