GPT-5 mini vs o4-mini Deep Research
Compare OpenAI and OpenAI AI models
Cost Comparison (1000 input + 500 output tokens, 100 requests/day)
GPT-5 mini
o4-mini Deep Research
Cost Differences
o4-mini Deep Research costs more than GPT-5 mini
Feature Comparison
| Feature | GPT-5 mini | o4-mini Deep Research |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | OpenAI | OpenAI |
| Input Price | $0.25/1M tokens | $2.00/1M tokens |
| Output Price | $2.00/1M tokens | $8.00/1M tokens |
| Context Window | 500,000 tokens | 200,000 tokens |
| Max Output | 65,536 tokens | 32,768 tokens |
| Category | efficient | reasoning |
| Capabilities | textvisioncode | textreasoningcode |
| Release Date | 8/7/2025 | 6/26/2025 |
GPT-5 mini vs o4-mini Deep Research: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between GPT-5 mini and o4-mini Deep Research depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. GPT-5 mini is the more affordable option at $0.25/1M input tokens — 88% cheaper than o4-mini Deep Research. Meanwhile, GPT-5 mini offers a significantly larger context window at 500,000 tokens vs 200,000 for o4-mini Deep Research.
These models target different tiers: GPT-5 mini is a efficient model while o4-mini Deep Research is reasoning. This means they're optimized for different workloads. o4-mini Deep Research targets more demanding workloads, while GPT-5 mini provides a cost-effective option for everyday tasks.
Output costs matter too. GPT-5 mini charges $2.00/1M output tokens vs $8.00 for o4-mini Deep Research. For generation-heavy workloads (content creation, code generation, summarization), output pricing often dominates your bill. GPT-5 mini has the edge here at $2.00/1M output tokens.
Multimodal capabilities: GPT-5 mini supports vision (image inputs) while o4-mini Deep Research 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 need longer outputs (up to 65,536 tokens)
- • You're already using OpenAI's API ecosystem
- • You're running high-volume, latency-sensitive workloads
Choose o4-mini 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 mini (OpenAI)
o4-mini Deep Research (OpenAI)
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