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GPT-4.1 vs o4-mini Deep Research

Compare OpenAI and OpenAI AI models

OpenAI
GPT-4.1
vs
OpenAI
o4-mini Deep Research

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

GPT-4.1

Per Request:$0.006000
Daily:$0.60
Monthly:$18.00
Yearly:$219.00

o4-mini Deep Research

Per Request:$0.006000
Daily:$0.60
Monthly:$18.00
Yearly:$219.00

Cost Differences

$0.00
Per Request
$0.00
Daily
$0.00
Monthly
$0.00
Yearly

o4-mini Deep Research costs less than GPT-4.1

Feature Comparison

FeatureGPT-4.1o4-mini Deep Research
ProviderOpenAIOpenAI
Input Price$2.00/1M tokens$2.00/1M tokens
Output Price$8.00/1M tokens$8.00/1M tokens
Context Window200,000 tokens200,000 tokens
Max Output32,768 tokens32,768 tokens
Categoryflagshipreasoning
Capabilities
textvisioncode
textreasoningcode
Release Date4/14/20256/26/2025

GPT-4.1 vs o4-mini Deep Research: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between GPT-4.1 and o4-mini Deep Research depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. o4-mini Deep Research is the more affordable option at $2.00/1M input tokens.

These models target different tiers: GPT-4.1 is a flagship model while o4-mini Deep Research is reasoning. This means they're optimized for different workloads. GPT-4.1 is built for complex tasks that require deeper reasoning, while o4-mini Deep Research offers better value for routine operations.

Output costs matter too. GPT-4.1 charges $8.00/1M output tokens vs $8.00 for o4-mini Deep Research.

Multimodal capabilities: GPT-4.1 supports vision (image inputs) while o4-mini Deep Research is text-only. If your application needs image understanding, this narrows your choice.

Best Use Cases

Choose GPT-4.1 when:

  • • You're already using OpenAI's API ecosystem

Choose o4-mini Deep Research when:

  • • You're already using OpenAI's API ecosystem

Try Different Scenarios

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

GPT-4.1 (OpenAI)

o4-mini Deep Research (OpenAI)

Start using GPT-4.1 today

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Start using o4-mini Deep Research today

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, GPT-4.1 or o4-mini Deep Research?
o4-mini Deep Research is cheaper for input tokens at $2.00 per million tokens vs $2.00 for GPT-4.1.
What is the context window difference between GPT-4.1 and o4-mini Deep Research?
GPT-4.1 supports 200,000 tokens while o4-mini Deep Research supports 200,000 tokens — a difference of 0 tokens in favor of GPT-4.1.
Which model is better for AI Chatbot?
Both models support text. For ai chatbot, o4-mini Deep Research is the lower-cost option, while GPT-4.1 offers a larger context window (200,000 vs 200,000 tokens). Choose o4-mini Deep Research for budget sensitivity or GPT-4.1 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 costs about $18.00/month and o4-mini Deep Research costs about $18.00/month. Overall, o4-mini Deep Research has lower combined input + output rates ($2.00 in, $8.00 out) vs GPT-4.1.

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