Gemini 3.5 Flash vs GPT-4.1
Pricing verdict: Gemini 3.5 Flash vs GPT-4.1: Gemini 3.5 Flash is cheaper for input-heavy usage ($1.50/M vs $2.00/M input tokens), while Gemini 3.5 Flash is better for long-context tasks (1,000,000 tokens).
Direct answer: choose Gemini 3.5 Flash for lower token spend and choose Gemini 3.5 Flash 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.
Cost Comparison (1000 input + 500 output tokens, 100 requests/day)
Gemini 3.5 Flash
GPT-4.1
Cost Differences
Both models cost the same at the default workload.
Quick Recommendation
Direct API pricing is a tie at the default workload: both land around $18.00/month. Pick Gemini 3.5 Flash if you need the larger 1M context window; otherwise choose the model that better fits your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Gemini 3.5 Flash | GPT-4.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | OpenAI | |
| Input Price | $1.50/1M tokens | $2.00/1M tokens |
| Output Price | $9.00/1M tokens | $8.00/1M tokens |
| Context Window | 1,000,000 tokens | 200,000 tokens |
| Max Output | 65,536 tokens | 32,768 tokens |
| Category | flagship | flagship |
| Capabilities | textvisionaudiovideocodereasoning | textvisioncode |
| Release Date | 5/19/2026 | 4/14/2025 |
Gemini 3.5 Flash vs GPT-4.1: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between Gemini 3.5 Flash and GPT-4.1 depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. Gemini 3.5 Flash is the more affordable option at $1.50/1M input tokens — 25% cheaper than GPT-4.1. Meanwhile, Gemini 3.5 Flash offers a significantly larger context window at 1,000,000 tokens vs 200,000 for GPT-4.1.
These models come from different providers — Google and OpenAI — which means different API ecosystems, SDKs, rate limits, and terms of service. If you're already integrated with Google, switching to OpenAIinvolves migration effort beyond just pricing. Factor in your existing infrastructure when deciding.
Both models are in the flagship category, making this a direct head-to-head comparison. At scale — say 10,000 requests per day — direct API pricing stays tied, so the real decision is context, latency, and provider fit.
Output costs matter too. Gemini 3.5 Flash charges $9.00/1M output tokens vs $8.00 for GPT-4.1. For generation-heavy workloads (content creation, code generation, summarization), output pricing often dominates your bill. GPT-4.1 has the edge here at $8.00/1M output tokens.
Multimodal capabilities: Both models support vision (image understanding), so you can send images alongside text prompts with either option.
Best Use Cases
Choose Gemini 3.5 Flash when:
- • Budget is a primary concern
- • You need a larger context window (1,000,000 tokens)
- • You need more capabilities (audio, video, reasoning)
- • You need longer outputs (up to 65,536 tokens)
- • You're already using Google's API ecosystem
Choose GPT-4.1 when:
- • You're already using OpenAI's API ecosystem
Pros and Caveats at a Glance
Gemini 3.5 Flash
- • Input pricing: $1.50/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $9.00/M tokens
- • Context window: 1,000,000 tokens
- • Max output: 65,536 tokens
Watch out for
- • Higher output cost than GPT-4.1
GPT-4.1
- • Input pricing: $2.00/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $8.00/M tokens
- • Context window: 200,000 tokens
- • Max output: 32,768 tokens
Watch out for
- • Higher input cost than Gemini 3.5 Flash
- • Smaller context window than Gemini 3.5 Flash
Try Different Scenarios
Use the calculator below to see how costs change with different usage patterns
Gemini 3.5 Flash (Google)
GPT-4.1 (OpenAI)
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Sign Up for OpenAI →Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, Gemini 3.5 Flash or GPT-4.1?▼
What is the context window difference between Gemini 3.5 Flash and GPT-4.1?▼
Which model is better for AI Chatbot?▼
Which model has better overall pricing for heavy usage?▼
Where can I compare Google and OpenAI API pricing beyond this model matchup?▼
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