Grok Code Fast 1 vs o3-mini

Compare xAI and OpenAI AI models

xAI

Grok Code Fast 1

OpenAI

o3-mini

Try xAI →Try OpenAI →

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-mini

Per Request:$0.003300

Daily:$0.33

Monthly:$9.90

Yearly:$120.45

Cost Differences

+$0.002350

Per Request

+$0.235

Daily

+$7.05

Monthly

+$85.775

Yearly

o3-mini costs more than Grok Code Fast 1

Feature Comparison

Feature	Grok Code Fast 1	o3-mini
Provider	xAI	OpenAI
Input Price	$0.20/1M tokens	$1.10/1M tokens
Output Price	$1.50/1M tokens	$4.40/1M tokens
Context Window	256,000 tokens	500,000 tokens
Max Output	32,768 tokens	65,536 tokens
Category	standard	reasoning
Capabilities	textcodereasoning	textreasoningcode
Release Date	2/1/2026	1/31/2025

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

Choosing between Grok Code Fast 1 and o3-mini 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 tokens — 82% cheaper than o3-mini. Meanwhile, o3-mini offers a significantly larger context window at 500,000 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-mini is reasoning. This means they're optimized for different workloads. o3-mini 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 $4.40 for o3-mini. 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.

Best Use Cases

Choose Grok Code Fast 1 when:

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

Choose o3-mini when:

• 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

Try Different Scenarios

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

Grok Code Fast 1 (xAI)

Cost Calculator

Provider

Model

Input Tokens

Output Tokens

Requests/Day

Select a provider and model to see costs

o3-mini (OpenAI)

Cost Calculator

Provider

Model

Input Tokens

Output Tokens

Requests/Day

Select a provider and model to see costs

Start using Grok Code Fast 1 today

Start using o3-mini today

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, Grok Code Fast 1 or o3-mini?▼

Grok Code Fast 1 is cheaper for input tokens at $0.20 per million tokens vs $1.10 for o3-mini — that's 82% savings on input costs.

What is the context window difference between Grok Code Fast 1 and o3-mini?▼

Grok Code Fast 1 supports 256,000 tokens while o3-mini supports 500,000 tokens — a difference of 244,000 tokens in favor of o3-mini.

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-mini offers a larger context window (500,000 vs 256,000 tokens). Choose Grok Code Fast 1 for budget sensitivity or o3-mini 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-mini costs about $9.90/month. Overall, Grok Code Fast 1 has lower combined input + output rates ($0.20 in, $1.50 out) vs o3-mini.