Grok Code Fast 1 vs o4-mini
Compare xAI and OpenAI AI models
Cost Comparison (1000 input + 500 output tokens, 100 requests/day)
Grok Code Fast 1
o4-mini
Cost Differences
o4-mini costs more than Grok Code Fast 1
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Grok Code Fast 1 | o4-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 | 2,000,000 tokens |
| Max Output | 32,768 tokens | 131,072 tokens |
| Category | standard | reasoning |
| Capabilities | textcodereasoning | textreasoningcode |
| Release Date | 2/1/2026 | 4/16/2025 |
Grok Code Fast 1 vs o4-mini: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between Grok Code Fast 1 and o4-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 o4-mini. Meanwhile, o4-mini offers a significantly larger context window at 2,000,000 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 o4-mini is reasoning. This means they're optimized for different workloads. o4-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 o4-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 o4-mini when:
- • You need a larger context window (2,000,000 tokens)
- • 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)
o4-mini (OpenAI)
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