Skip to main content

Grok Code Fast 1 vs o3

Compare xAI and OpenAI AI models

xAI
Grok Code Fast 1
vs
OpenAI
o3

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

Grok Code Fast 1

Per Request:$0.000950
Daily:$0.095
Monthly:$2.85
Yearly:$34.675

o3

Per Request:$0.006000
Daily:$0.60
Monthly:$18.00
Yearly:$219.00

Cost Differences

+$0.005050
Per Request
+$0.505
Daily
+$15.15
Monthly
+$184.325
Yearly

o3 costs more than Grok Code Fast 1

Feature Comparison

FeatureGrok Code Fast 1o3
ProviderxAIOpenAI
Input Price$0.20/1M tokens$2.00/1M tokens
Output Price$1.50/1M tokens$8.00/1M tokens
Context Window256,000 tokens1,000,000 tokens
Max Output32,768 tokens131,072 tokens
Categorystandardreasoning
Capabilities
textcodereasoning
textreasoningvisioncode
Release Date2/1/20264/16/2025

Grok Code Fast 1 vs o3: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between Grok Code Fast 1 and o3 depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. Grok Code Fast 1 is the more affordable option at $0.20/1M input tokens90% cheaper than o3. Meanwhile, o3 offers a significantly larger context window at 1,000,000 tokens vs 256,000 for Grok Code Fast 1.

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 Code Fast 1 is a standard model while o3 is reasoning. This means they're optimized for different workloads. o3 targets more demanding workloads, while Grok Code Fast 1 provides a cost-effective option for everyday tasks.

Output costs matter too. Grok Code Fast 1 charges $1.50/1M output tokens vs $8.00 for o3. For generation-heavy workloads (content creation, code generation, summarization), output pricing often dominates your bill. Grok Code Fast 1 has the edge here at $1.50/1M output tokens.

Multimodal capabilities: o3 supports vision (image inputs) while Grok Code Fast 1 is text-only. If your application needs image understanding, this narrows your choice.

Best Use Cases

Choose Grok Code Fast 1 when:

  • • Budget is a primary concern
  • • You're already using xAI's API ecosystem

Choose o3 when:

  • • You need a larger context window (1,000,000 tokens)
  • • You need more capabilities (vision)
  • • You need longer outputs (up to 131,072 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 Code Fast 1 (xAI)

o3 (OpenAI)

Start using Grok Code Fast 1 today

Sign Up for xAI

Start using o3 today

Sign Up for OpenAI

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, Grok Code Fast 1 or o3?
Grok Code Fast 1 is cheaper for input tokens at $0.20 per million tokens vs $2.00 for o3 — that's 90% savings on input costs.
What is the context window difference between Grok Code Fast 1 and o3?
Grok Code Fast 1 supports 256,000 tokens while o3 supports 1,000,000 tokens — a difference of 744,000 tokens in favor of o3.
Which model is better for AI Agent / Agentic Workflows?
Both models support text, code, reasoning. For ai agent / agentic workflows, Grok Code Fast 1 is the lower-cost option, while o3 offers a larger context window (1,000,000 vs 256,000 tokens). Choose Grok Code Fast 1 for budget sensitivity or o3 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 Code Fast 1 costs about $2.85/month and o3 costs about $18.00/month. Overall, Grok Code Fast 1 has lower combined input + output rates ($0.20 in, $1.50 out) vs o3.

Related Comparisons

Related Articles