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GPT-5.1 vs o3 Deep Research

Compare OpenAI and OpenAI AI models

OpenAI
GPT-5.1
vs
OpenAI
o3 Deep Research

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

o3 Deep Research

Per Request:$0.03
Daily:$3.00
Monthly:$90.00
Yearly:$1,095.00

Cost Differences

+$0.02375
Per Request
+$2.375
Daily
+$71.25
Monthly
+$866.875
Yearly

o3 Deep Research costs more than GPT-5.1

Feature Comparison

FeatureGPT-5.1o3 Deep Research
ProviderOpenAIOpenAI
Input Price$1.25/1M tokens$10.00/1M tokens
Output Price$10.00/1M tokens$40.00/1M tokens
Context Window1,000,000 tokens200,000 tokens
Max Output131,072 tokens32,768 tokens
Categoryflagshipreasoning
Capabilities
textvisionaudiocodereasoning
textreasoningvisioncode
Release Date11/12/20256/26/2025

GPT-5.1 vs o3 Deep Research: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between GPT-5.1 and o3 Deep Research depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. GPT-5.1 is the more affordable option at $1.25/1M input tokens88% cheaper than o3 Deep Research. Meanwhile, GPT-5.1 offers a significantly larger context window at 1,000,000 tokens vs 200,000 for o3 Deep Research.

These models target different tiers: GPT-5.1 is a flagship model while o3 Deep Research is reasoning. This means they're optimized for different workloads. GPT-5.1 is built for complex tasks that require deeper reasoning, while o3 Deep Research offers better value for routine operations.

Output costs matter too. GPT-5.1 charges $10.00/1M output tokens vs $40.00 for o3 Deep Research. 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 o3 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-5.1 (OpenAI)

o3 Deep Research (OpenAI)

Start using GPT-5.1 today

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Start using o3 Deep Research today

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, GPT-5.1 or o3 Deep Research?
GPT-5.1 is cheaper for input tokens at $1.25 per million tokens vs $10.00 for o3 Deep Research — that's 88% savings on input costs.
What is the context window difference between GPT-5.1 and o3 Deep Research?
GPT-5.1 supports 1,000,000 tokens while o3 Deep Research 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 o3 Deep Research costs about $90.00/month. Overall, GPT-5.1 has lower combined input + output rates ($1.25 in, $10.00 out) vs o3 Deep Research.

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