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GPT-4o mini vs Grok 4.1 Fast

Compare OpenAI and xAI AI models

OpenAI
GPT-4o mini
vs
xAI
Grok 4.1 Fast

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

GPT-4o mini

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

Grok 4.1 Fast

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

Cost Differences

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$0.00
Daily
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Monthly
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Yearly

Grok 4.1 Fast costs less than GPT-4o mini

Feature Comparison

FeatureGPT-4o miniGrok 4.1 Fast
ProviderOpenAIxAI
Input Price$0.15/1M tokens$0.20/1M tokens
Output Price$0.60/1M tokens$0.50/1M tokens
Context Window128,000 tokens2,000,000 tokens
Max Output16,384 tokens131,072 tokens
Categoryefficientefficient
Capabilities
textvision
textreasoningcode
Release Date7/18/20241/15/2026

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

Choosing between GPT-4o mini and Grok 4.1 Fast depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. Grok 4.1 Fast is the more affordable option at $0.20/1M input tokens. Meanwhile, Grok 4.1 Fast offers a significantly larger context window at 2,000,000 tokens vs 128,000 for GPT-4o mini.

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.

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: Grok 4.1 Fast would save you roughly $0.00/month compared to GPT-4o mini. For startups and indie developers, that difference can be significant.

Output costs matter too. GPT-4o mini charges $0.60/1M output tokens vs $0.50 for Grok 4.1 Fast. For generation-heavy workloads (content creation, code generation, summarization), output pricing often dominates your bill. Grok 4.1 Fast has the edge here at $0.50/1M output tokens.

Multimodal capabilities: GPT-4o mini supports vision (image inputs) while Grok 4.1 Fast is text-only. If your application needs image understanding, this narrows your choice.

Best Use Cases

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

Choose Grok 4.1 Fast when:

  • • You need a larger context window (2,000,000 tokens)
  • • You need more capabilities (reasoning, code)
  • • You need longer outputs (up to 131,072 tokens)
  • • You're already using xAI'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-4o mini (OpenAI)

Grok 4.1 Fast (xAI)

Start using GPT-4o mini today

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Start using Grok 4.1 Fast today

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, GPT-4o mini or Grok 4.1 Fast?
Grok 4.1 Fast is cheaper for input tokens at $0.20 per million tokens vs $0.15 for GPT-4o mini.
What is the context window difference between GPT-4o mini and Grok 4.1 Fast?
GPT-4o mini supports 128,000 tokens while Grok 4.1 Fast supports 2,000,000 tokens — a difference of 1,872,000 tokens in favor of Grok 4.1 Fast.
Which model is better for AI Chatbot?
Both models support text. For ai chatbot, Grok 4.1 Fast is the lower-cost option, while Grok 4.1 Fast offers a larger context window (2,000,000 vs 128,000 tokens). Choose Grok 4.1 Fast for budget sensitivity or Grok 4.1 Fast 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-4o mini costs about $1.35/month and Grok 4.1 Fast costs about $1.35/month. Overall, Grok 4.1 Fast has lower combined input + output rates ($0.20 in, $0.50 out) vs GPT-4o mini.

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