GPT-4.1 mini vs Mistral Medium 3.5
GPT-4.1 mini vs Mistral Medium 3.5: GPT-4.1 mini is cheaper for input-heavy usage ($0.40/M vs $1.50/M input tokens), while Mistral Medium 3.5 is better for long-context tasks (256,000 tokens).
Direct answer: choose GPT-4.1 mini for lower token spend and choose Mistral Medium 3.5 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)
GPT-4.1 mini
Mistral Medium 3.5
Cost Differences
Mistral Medium 3.5 costs more than GPT-4.1 mini
Quick Recommendation
Winner for direct API pricing: GPT-4.1 mini. At the default workload, GPT-4.1 mini saves about $12.15/month ($147.825/year) versus Mistral Medium 3.5.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | GPT-4.1 mini | Mistral Medium 3.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | OpenAI | Mistral AI |
| Input Price | $0.40/1M tokens | $1.50/1M tokens |
| Output Price | $1.60/1M tokens | $7.50/1M tokens |
| Context Window | 200,000 tokens | 256,000 tokens |
| Max Output | 16,384 tokens | 32,768 tokens |
| Category | efficient | flagship |
| Capabilities | textvisioncode | textvisioncodereasoning |
| Release Date | 4/14/2025 | 4/29/2026 |
GPT-4.1 mini vs Mistral Medium 3.5: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between GPT-4.1 mini and Mistral Medium 3.5 depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. GPT-4.1 mini is the more affordable option at $0.40/1M input tokens — 73% cheaper than Mistral Medium 3.5. Meanwhile, Mistral Medium 3.5 offers a significantly larger context window at 256,000 tokens vs 200,000 for GPT-4.1 mini.
These models come from different providers — OpenAI and Mistral AI — which means different API ecosystems, SDKs, rate limits, and terms of service. If you're already integrated with OpenAI, switching to Mistral AIinvolves migration effort beyond just pricing. Factor in your existing infrastructure when deciding.
These models target different tiers: GPT-4.1 mini is a efficient model while Mistral Medium 3.5 is flagship. This means they're optimized for different workloads. Mistral Medium 3.5 targets more demanding workloads, while GPT-4.1 mini provides a cost-effective option for everyday tasks.
Output costs matter too. GPT-4.1 mini charges $1.60/1M output tokens vs $7.50 for Mistral Medium 3.5. For generation-heavy workloads (content creation, code generation, summarization), output pricing often dominates your bill. GPT-4.1 mini has the edge here at $1.60/1M 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:
- • Budget is a primary concern
- • You're already using OpenAI's API ecosystem
- • You're running high-volume, latency-sensitive workloads
Choose Mistral Medium 3.5 when:
- • You need a larger context window (256,000 tokens)
- • You need more capabilities (reasoning)
- • You need longer outputs (up to 32,768 tokens)
- • You're already using Mistral AI's API ecosystem
Pros and Caveats at a Glance
GPT-4.1 mini
- • Input pricing: $0.40/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $1.60/M tokens
- • Context window: 200,000 tokens
- • Max output: 16,384 tokens
Watch out for
- • Smaller context window than Mistral Medium 3.5
Mistral Medium 3.5
- • Input pricing: $1.50/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $7.50/M tokens
- • Context window: 256,000 tokens
- • Max output: 32,768 tokens
Watch out for
- • Higher input cost than GPT-4.1 mini
- • Higher output cost than GPT-4.1 mini
Try Different Scenarios
Use the calculator below to see how costs change with different usage patterns
GPT-4.1 mini (OpenAI)
Mistral Medium 3.5 (Mistral AI)
Start using GPT-4.1 mini today
Sign Up for OpenAI →Start using Mistral Medium 3.5 today
Sign Up for Mistral AI →Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GPT-4.1 mini or Mistral Medium 3.5?▼
What is the context window difference between GPT-4.1 mini and Mistral Medium 3.5?▼
Which model is better for AI Chatbot?▼
Which model has better overall pricing for heavy usage?▼
Where can I compare OpenAI and Mistral AI API pricing beyond this model matchup?▼
Related Comparisons
Related Articles
Learn when to pick each model, then compare live pricing scenarios.