Codex Mini vs Grok 3
Compare OpenAI and xAI AI models
Cost Comparison (1000 input + 500 output tokens, 100 requests/day)
Codex Mini
Grok 3
Cost Differences
Grok 3 costs more than Codex Mini
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Codex Mini | Grok 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | OpenAI | xAI |
| Input Price | $1.50/1M tokens | $3.00/1M tokens |
| Output Price | $6.00/1M tokens | $15.00/1M tokens |
| Context Window | 200,000 tokens | 131,072 tokens |
| Max Output | 32,768 tokens | 131,072 tokens |
| Category | efficient | flagship |
| Capabilities | textcodereasoning | textvisionreasoningcode |
| Release Date | 2/2/2026 | 2/17/2025 |
Codex Mini vs Grok 3: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between Codex Mini and Grok 3 depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. Codex Mini is the more affordable option at $1.50/1M input tokens — 50% cheaper than Grok 3. Meanwhile, Codex Mini offers a significantly larger context window at 200,000 tokens vs 131,072 for Grok 3.
These models come from different providers — OpenAI and xAI — which means different API ecosystems, SDKs, rate limits, and terms of service. If you're already integrated with OpenAI, switching to xAIinvolves migration effort beyond just pricing. Factor in your existing infrastructure when deciding.
These models target different tiers: Codex Mini is a efficient model while Grok 3 is flagship. This means they're optimized for different workloads. Grok 3 targets more demanding workloads, while Codex Mini provides a cost-effective option for everyday tasks.
Output costs matter too. Codex Mini charges $6.00/1M output tokens vs $15.00 for Grok 3. For generation-heavy workloads (content creation, code generation, summarization), output pricing often dominates your bill. Codex Mini has the edge here at $6.00/1M output tokens.
Multimodal capabilities: Grok 3 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:
- • Budget is a primary concern
- • You need a larger context window (200,000 tokens)
- • You're already using OpenAI's API ecosystem
- • You're running high-volume, latency-sensitive workloads
Choose Grok 3 when:
- • You need more capabilities (vision)
- • You need longer outputs (up to 131,072 tokens)
- • You're already using xAI's API ecosystem
Try Different Scenarios
Use the calculator below to see how costs change with different usage patterns
Codex Mini (OpenAI)
Grok 3 (xAI)
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