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GPT-4.1 mini vs GPT-4o mini

Compare OpenAI and OpenAI AI models

OpenAI
GPT-4.1 mini
vs
OpenAI
GPT-4o mini

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

GPT-4.1 mini

Per Request:$0.001200
Daily:$0.12
Monthly:$3.60
Yearly:$43.80

GPT-4o mini

Per Request:$0.000450
Daily:$0.045
Monthly:$1.35
Yearly:$16.425

Cost Differences

$0.000750
Per Request
$0.075
Daily
$2.25
Monthly
$27.375
Yearly

GPT-4o mini costs less than GPT-4.1 mini

Feature Comparison

FeatureGPT-4.1 miniGPT-4o mini
ProviderOpenAIOpenAI
Input Price$0.40/1M tokens$0.15/1M tokens
Output Price$1.60/1M tokens$0.60/1M tokens
Context Window200,000 tokens128,000 tokens
Max Output16,384 tokens16,384 tokens
Categoryefficientefficient
Capabilities
textvisioncode
textvision
Release Date4/14/20257/18/2024

GPT-4.1 mini vs GPT-4o mini: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between GPT-4.1 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 tokens63% cheaper than GPT-4.1 mini. Meanwhile, GPT-4.1 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 $225.00/month compared to GPT-4.1 mini. For startups and indie developers, that difference can be significant.

Output costs matter too. GPT-4.1 mini charges $1.60/1M 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: Both models support vision (image understanding), so you can send images alongside text prompts with either option.

Best Use Cases

Choose GPT-4.1 mini when:

  • • You need a larger context window (200,000 tokens)
  • • You need more capabilities (code)
  • • 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

Try Different Scenarios

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

GPT-4.1 mini (OpenAI)

GPT-4o mini (OpenAI)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, GPT-4.1 mini or GPT-4o mini?
GPT-4o mini is cheaper for input tokens at $0.15 per million tokens vs $0.40 for GPT-4.1 mini — that's 63% savings on input costs.
What is the context window difference between GPT-4.1 mini and GPT-4o mini?
GPT-4.1 mini supports 200,000 tokens while GPT-4o mini supports 128,000 tokens — a difference of 72,000 tokens in favor of GPT-4.1 mini.
Which model is better for AI Chatbot?
Both models support text. For ai chatbot, GPT-4o mini is the lower-cost option, while GPT-4.1 mini offers a larger context window (200,000 vs 128,000 tokens). Choose GPT-4o mini for budget sensitivity or GPT-4.1 mini 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, GPT-4.1 mini costs about $3.60/month and GPT-4o mini costs about $1.35/month. Overall, GPT-4o mini has lower combined input + output rates ($0.15 in, $0.60 out) vs GPT-4.1 mini.

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