GPT-5 mini vs Grok 3 Mini
Compare OpenAI and xAI AI models
Cost Comparison (1000 input + 500 output tokens, 100 requests/day)
GPT-5 mini
Grok 3 Mini
Cost Differences
Grok 3 Mini costs less than GPT-5 mini
Feature Comparison
| Feature | GPT-5 mini | Grok 3 Mini |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | OpenAI | xAI |
| Input Price | $0.25/1M tokens | $0.30/1M tokens |
| Output Price | $2.00/1M tokens | $0.50/1M tokens |
| Context Window | 500,000 tokens | 128,000 tokens |
| Max Output | 65,536 tokens | 131,072 tokens |
| Category | efficient | efficient |
| Capabilities | textvisioncode | textreasoningcode |
| Release Date | 8/7/2025 | 2/17/2025 |
GPT-5 mini vs Grok 3 Mini: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between GPT-5 mini and Grok 3 Mini depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. Grok 3 Mini is the more affordable option at $0.30/1M input tokens. Meanwhile, GPT-5 mini offers a significantly larger context window at 500,000 tokens vs 128,000 for Grok 3 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 3 Mini would save you roughly $210.00/month compared to GPT-5 mini. For startups and indie developers, that difference can be significant.
Output costs matter too. GPT-5 mini charges $2.00/1M output tokens vs $0.50 for Grok 3 Mini. For generation-heavy workloads (content creation, code generation, summarization), output pricing often dominates your bill. Grok 3 Mini has the edge here at $0.50/1M output tokens.
Multimodal capabilities: GPT-5 mini supports vision (image inputs) while Grok 3 Mini is text-only. If your application needs image understanding, this narrows your choice.
Best Use Cases
Choose GPT-5 mini when:
- • Budget is a primary concern
- • You need a larger context window (500,000 tokens)
- • You're already using OpenAI's API ecosystem
- • You're running high-volume, latency-sensitive workloads
Choose Grok 3 Mini when:
- • 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-5 mini (OpenAI)
Grok 3 Mini (xAI)
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