GPT-4o vs o1-mini
GPT-4o vs o1-mini: o1-mini is cheaper for input-heavy usage ($1.10/M vs $2.50/M input tokens), while GPT-4o is better for long-context tasks (128,000 tokens).
Direct answer: choose o1-mini for lower token spend and choose GPT-4o 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-4o
o1-mini
Cost Differences
o1-mini costs less than GPT-4o
Quick Recommendation
Winner for direct API pricing: o1-mini. At the default workload, o1-mini saves about $12.60/month ($153.30/year) versus GPT-4o.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | GPT-4o | o1-mini |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | OpenAI | OpenAI |
| Input Price | $2.50/1M tokens | $1.10/1M tokens |
| Output Price | $10.00/1M tokens | $4.40/1M tokens |
| Context Window | 128,000 tokens | 128,000 tokens |
| Max Output | 16,384 tokens | 65,536 tokens |
| Category | flagship | reasoning |
| Capabilities | textvisionaudio | textreasoning |
| Release Date | 5/13/2024 | 9/12/2024 |
GPT-4o vs o1-mini: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between GPT-4o and o1-mini depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. o1-mini is the more affordable option at $1.10/1M input tokens — 56% cheaper than GPT-4o.
These models target different tiers: GPT-4o is a flagship model while o1-mini is reasoning. This means they're optimized for different workloads. GPT-4o is built for complex tasks that require deeper reasoning, while o1-mini offers better value for routine operations.
Output costs matter too. GPT-4o charges $10.00/1M output tokens vs $4.40 for o1-mini. For generation-heavy workloads (content creation, code generation, summarization), output pricing often dominates your bill. o1-mini has the edge here at $4.40/1M output tokens.
Multimodal capabilities: GPT-4o supports vision (image inputs) while o1-mini is text-only. If your application needs image understanding, this narrows your choice.
Best Use Cases
Choose GPT-4o when:
- • You need more capabilities (vision, audio)
- • You're already using OpenAI's API ecosystem
Choose o1-mini when:
- • Budget is a primary concern
- • You need longer outputs (up to 65,536 tokens)
- • You're already using OpenAI's API ecosystem
Pros and Caveats at a Glance
GPT-4o
- • Input pricing: $2.50/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $10.00/M tokens
- • Context window: 128,000 tokens
- • Max output: 16,384 tokens
Watch out for
- • Higher input cost than o1-mini
- • Higher output cost than o1-mini
o1-mini
- • Input pricing: $1.10/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $4.40/M tokens
- • Context window: 128,000 tokens
- • Max output: 65,536 tokens
Watch out for
- • Trade-offs are minor in this matchup.
Try Different Scenarios
Use the calculator below to see how costs change with different usage patterns
GPT-4o (OpenAI)
o1-mini (OpenAI)
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