GPT-5 vs Claude Sonnet 4.6
Compare OpenAI and Anthropic AI models
Cost Comparison (1000 input + 500 output tokens, 100 requests/day)
GPT-5
Claude Sonnet 4.6
Cost Differences
Claude Sonnet 4.6 costs more than GPT-5
Feature Comparison
| Feature | GPT-5 | Claude Sonnet 4.6 |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | OpenAI | Anthropic |
| Input Price | $1.25/1M tokens | $3.00/1M tokens |
| Output Price | $10.00/1M tokens | $15.00/1M tokens |
| Context Window | 1,000,000 tokens | 1,000,000 tokens |
| Max Output | 131,072 tokens | 65,536 tokens |
| Category | flagship | balanced |
| Capabilities | textvisionaudiocode | textvisioncodereasoningcomputer-use |
| Release Date | 8/7/2025 | 2/18/2026 |
GPT-5 vs Claude Sonnet 4.6: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between GPT-5 and Claude Sonnet 4.6 depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. GPT-5 is the more affordable option at $1.25/1M input tokens — 58% cheaper than Claude Sonnet 4.6.
These models come from different providers — OpenAI and Anthropic — which means different API ecosystems, SDKs, rate limits, and terms of service. If you're already integrated with OpenAI, switching to Anthropicinvolves migration effort beyond just pricing. Factor in your existing infrastructure when deciding.
These models target different tiers: GPT-5 is a flagship model while Claude Sonnet 4.6 is balanced. This means they're optimized for different workloads. GPT-5 is built for complex tasks that require deeper reasoning, while Claude Sonnet 4.6 offers better value for routine operations.
Output costs matter too. GPT-5 charges $10.00/1M output tokens vs $15.00 for Claude Sonnet 4.6. For generation-heavy workloads (content creation, code generation, summarization), output pricing often dominates your bill. GPT-5 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 when:
- • Budget is a primary concern
- • You need longer outputs (up to 131,072 tokens)
- • You're already using OpenAI's API ecosystem
Choose Claude Sonnet 4.6 when:
- • You need more capabilities (reasoning, computer-use)
- • You're already using Anthropic's API ecosystem
Try Different Scenarios
Use the calculator below to see how costs change with different usage patterns
GPT-5 (OpenAI)
Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Anthropic)
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