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Grok 3 Mini vs o3-pro

Compare xAI and OpenAI AI models

xAI
Grok 3 Mini
vs
OpenAI
o3-pro

Cost Comparison (1000 input + 500 output tokens, 100 requests/day)

Grok 3 Mini

Per Request:$0.000550
Daily:$0.055
Monthly:$1.65
Yearly:$20.075

o3-pro

Per Request:$0.06
Daily:$6.00
Monthly:$180.00
Yearly:$2,190.00

Cost Differences

+$0.05945
Per Request
+$5.945
Daily
+$178.35
Monthly
+$2,169.925
Yearly

o3-pro costs more than Grok 3 Mini

Feature Comparison

FeatureGrok 3 Minio3-pro
ProviderxAIOpenAI
Input Price$0.30/1M tokens$20.00/1M tokens
Output Price$0.50/1M tokens$80.00/1M tokens
Context Window128,000 tokens1,000,000 tokens
Max Output131,072 tokens131,072 tokens
Categoryefficientreasoning
Capabilities
textreasoningcode
textreasoningcode
Release Date2/17/20256/10/2025

Grok 3 Mini vs o3-pro: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between Grok 3 Mini and o3-pro depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. Grok 3 Mini is the more affordable option at $0.30/1M input tokens99% cheaper than o3-pro. Meanwhile, o3-pro offers a significantly larger context window at 1,000,000 tokens vs 128,000 for Grok 3 Mini.

These models come from different providers — xAI and OpenAI — which means different API ecosystems, SDKs, rate limits, and terms of service. If you're already integrated with xAI, switching to OpenAIinvolves migration effort beyond just pricing. Factor in your existing infrastructure when deciding.

These models target different tiers: Grok 3 Mini is a efficient model while o3-pro is reasoning. This means they're optimized for different workloads. o3-pro targets more demanding workloads, while Grok 3 Mini provides a cost-effective option for everyday tasks.

Output costs matter too. Grok 3 Mini charges $0.50/1M output tokens vs $80.00 for o3-pro. 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.

Best Use Cases

Choose Grok 3 Mini when:

  • • Budget is a primary concern
  • • You're already using xAI's API ecosystem
  • • You're running high-volume, latency-sensitive workloads

Choose o3-pro when:

  • • You need a larger context window (1,000,000 tokens)
  • • You're already using OpenAI's API ecosystem

Try Different Scenarios

Use the calculator below to see how costs change with different usage patterns

Grok 3 Mini (xAI)

o3-pro (OpenAI)

Start using Grok 3 Mini today

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Start using o3-pro today

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, Grok 3 Mini or o3-pro?
Grok 3 Mini is cheaper for input tokens at $0.30 per million tokens vs $20.00 for o3-pro — that's 99% savings on input costs.
What is the context window difference between Grok 3 Mini and o3-pro?
Grok 3 Mini supports 128,000 tokens while o3-pro supports 1,000,000 tokens — a difference of 872,000 tokens in favor of o3-pro.
Which model is better for AI Agent / Agentic Workflows?
Both models support text, code, reasoning. For ai agent / agentic workflows, Grok 3 Mini is the lower-cost option, while o3-pro offers a larger context window (1,000,000 vs 128,000 tokens). Choose Grok 3 Mini for budget sensitivity or o3-pro 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, Grok 3 Mini costs about $1.65/month and o3-pro costs about $180.00/month. Overall, Grok 3 Mini has lower combined input + output rates ($0.30 in, $0.50 out) vs o3-pro.

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