GPT-5.2 pro vs o4-mini
GPT-5.2 pro vs o4-mini: o4-mini is cheaper for input-heavy usage ($1.10/M vs $21.00/M input tokens), while o4-mini is better for long-context tasks (2,000,000 tokens).
Direct answer: choose o4-mini for lower token spend and choose o4-mini 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-5.2 pro
o4-mini
Cost Differences
o4-mini costs less than GPT-5.2 pro
Quick Recommendation
Winner for direct API pricing: o4-mini. At the default workload, o4-mini saves about $305.10/month ($3,712.05/year) versus GPT-5.2 pro.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | GPT-5.2 pro | o4-mini |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | OpenAI | OpenAI |
| Input Price | $21.00/1M tokens | $1.10/1M tokens |
| Output Price | $168.00/1M tokens | $4.40/1M tokens |
| Context Window | 1,000,000 tokens | 2,000,000 tokens |
| Max Output | 131,072 tokens | 131,072 tokens |
| Category | reasoning | reasoning |
| Capabilities | textvisionaudiocodereasoning | textreasoningcode |
| Release Date | 12/11/2025 | 4/16/2025 |
GPT-5.2 pro vs o4-mini: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between GPT-5.2 pro and o4-mini depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. o4-mini is the more affordable option at $1.10/1M input tokens — 95% cheaper than GPT-5.2 pro. Meanwhile, o4-mini offers a significantly larger context window at 2,000,000 tokens vs 1,000,000 for GPT-5.2 pro.
Both models are in the reasoning category, making this a direct head-to-head comparison. At scale — say 10,000 requests per day — the cost difference adds up: o4-mini would save you roughly $30,510.00/month compared to GPT-5.2 pro. For startups and indie developers, that difference can be significant.
Output costs matter too. GPT-5.2 pro charges $168.00/1M output tokens vs $4.40 for o4-mini. For generation-heavy workloads (content creation, code generation, summarization), output pricing often dominates your bill. o4-mini has the edge here at $4.40/1M output tokens.
Multimodal capabilities: GPT-5.2 pro supports vision (image inputs) while o4-mini is text-only. If your application needs image understanding, this narrows your choice.
Best Use Cases
Choose GPT-5.2 pro when:
- • You need more capabilities (vision, audio)
- • You're already using OpenAI's API ecosystem
Choose o4-mini when:
- • Budget is a primary concern
- • You need a larger context window (2,000,000 tokens)
- • You're already using OpenAI's API ecosystem
Pros and Caveats at a Glance
GPT-5.2 pro
- • Input pricing: $21.00/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $168.00/M tokens
- • Context window: 1,000,000 tokens
- • Max output: 131,072 tokens
Watch out for
- • Higher input cost than o4-mini
- • Higher output cost than o4-mini
- • Smaller context window than o4-mini
o4-mini
- • Input pricing: $1.10/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $4.40/M tokens
- • Context window: 2,000,000 tokens
- • Max output: 131,072 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-5.2 pro (OpenAI)
o4-mini (OpenAI)
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Sign Up for OpenAI →Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, GPT-5.2 pro or o4-mini?▼
What is the context window difference between GPT-5.2 pro and o4-mini?▼
Which model is better for AI Agent / Agentic Workflows?▼
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