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GPT-5.1 vs o1 Pro

GPT-5.1 vs o1 Pro: GPT-5.1 is cheaper for input-heavy usage ($1.25/M vs $150.00/M input tokens), while GPT-5.1 is better for long-context tasks (1,000,000 tokens).

Direct answer: choose GPT-5.1 for lower token spend and choose GPT-5.1 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.

OpenAI
GPT-5.1
vs
OpenAI
o1 Pro

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

GPT-5.1

Per Request:$0.006250
Daily:$0.625
Monthly:$18.75
Yearly:$228.125

o1 Pro

Per Request:$0.45
Daily:$45.00
Monthly:$1,350.00
Yearly:$16,425.00

Cost Differences

+$0.44375
Per Request
+$44.375
Daily
+$1,331.25
Monthly
+$16,196.875
Yearly

o1 Pro costs more than GPT-5.1

Quick Recommendation

Winner for direct API pricing: GPT-5.1. At the default workload, GPT-5.1 saves about $1,331.25/month ($16,196.875/year) versus o1 Pro.

Feature Comparison

FeatureGPT-5.1o1 Pro
ProviderOpenAIOpenAI
Input Price$1.25/1M tokens$150.00/1M tokens
Output Price$10.00/1M tokens$600.00/1M tokens
Context Window1,000,000 tokens200,000 tokens
Max Output131,072 tokens100,000 tokens
Categoryflagshipflagship
Capabilities
textvisionaudiocodereasoning
textvisioncodereasoning
Release Date11/12/202512/17/2024

GPT-5.1 vs o1 Pro: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between GPT-5.1 and o1 Pro depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. GPT-5.1 is the more affordable option at $1.25/1M input tokens99% cheaper than o1 Pro. Meanwhile, GPT-5.1 offers a significantly larger context window at 1,000,000 tokens vs 200,000 for o1 Pro.

Both models are in the flagship category, making this a direct head-to-head comparison. At scale — say 10,000 requests per day — the cost difference adds up: GPT-5.1 would save you roughly $133,125.00/month compared to o1 Pro. For startups and indie developers, that difference can be significant.

Output costs matter too. GPT-5.1 charges $10.00/1M output tokens vs $600.00 for o1 Pro. For generation-heavy workloads (content creation, code generation, summarization), output pricing often dominates your bill. GPT-5.1 has the edge here at $10.00/1M 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-5.1 when:

  • • Budget is a primary concern
  • • You need a larger context window (1,000,000 tokens)
  • • You need more capabilities (audio)
  • • You need longer outputs (up to 131,072 tokens)
  • • You're already using OpenAI's API ecosystem

Choose o1 Pro when:

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

Pros and Caveats at a Glance

GPT-5.1

  • Input pricing: $1.25/M tokens
  • Output pricing: $10.00/M tokens
  • Context window: 1,000,000 tokens
  • Max output: 131,072 tokens

Watch out for

  • Trade-offs are minor in this matchup.

o1 Pro

  • Input pricing: $150.00/M tokens
  • Output pricing: $600.00/M tokens
  • Context window: 200,000 tokens
  • Max output: 100,000 tokens

Watch out for

  • Higher input cost than GPT-5.1
  • Higher output cost than GPT-5.1
  • Smaller context window than GPT-5.1

Try Different Scenarios

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

GPT-5.1 (OpenAI)

o1 Pro (OpenAI)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, GPT-5.1 or o1 Pro?
GPT-5.1 is cheaper for input tokens at $1.25 per million tokens vs $150.00 for o1 Pro — that's 99% savings on input costs.
What is the context window difference between GPT-5.1 and o1 Pro?
GPT-5.1 supports 1,000,000 tokens while o1 Pro supports 200,000 tokens — a difference of 800,000 tokens in favor of GPT-5.1.
Which model is better for AI Agent / Agentic Workflows?
Both models support text, code, reasoning. For ai agent / agentic workflows, GPT-5.1 is the lower-cost option, while GPT-5.1 offers a larger context window (1,000,000 vs 200,000 tokens). Choose GPT-5.1 for budget sensitivity or GPT-5.1 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-5.1 costs about $18.75/month and o1 Pro costs about $1,350.00/month. Overall, GPT-5.1 has lower combined input + output rates ($1.25 in, $10.00 out) vs o1 Pro.

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