o3 vs o4-mini Deep Research
o3 vs o4-mini Deep Research: o3 is cheaper for input-heavy usage ($2.00/M vs $2.00/M input tokens), while o3 is better for long-context tasks (1,000,000 tokens).
Direct answer: choose o3 for lower token spend and choose o3 when your workload needs longer context.
Compare input and output token pricing, context windows, and monthly cost estimates on one page so you can pick the cheaper model fast.
Cost Comparison (1000 input + 500 output tokens, 100 requests/day)
o3
o4-mini Deep Research
Cost Differences
o4-mini Deep Research costs less than o3
Quick Recommendation
Winner for direct API pricing: o3. At the default workload, o3 saves about $0.00/month ($0.00/year) versus o4-mini Deep Research.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | o3 | o4-mini Deep Research |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | OpenAI | OpenAI |
| Input Price | $2.00/1M tokens | $2.00/1M tokens |
| Output Price | $8.00/1M tokens | $8.00/1M tokens |
| Context Window | 1,000,000 tokens | 200,000 tokens |
| Max Output | 131,072 tokens | 32,768 tokens |
| Category | reasoning | reasoning |
| Capabilities | textreasoningvisioncode | textreasoningcode |
| Release Date | 4/16/2025 | 6/26/2025 |
o3 vs o4-mini Deep Research: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between o3 and o4-mini Deep Research depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. o4-mini Deep Research is the more affordable option at $2.00/1M input tokens. Meanwhile, o3 offers a significantly larger context window at 1,000,000 tokens vs 200,000 for o4-mini Deep Research.
Both models are in the reasoning category, making this a direct head-to-head comparison. At scale — say 10,000 requests per day — the cost difference adds up: o4-mini Deep Research would save you roughly $0.00/month compared to o3. For startups and indie developers, that difference can be significant.
Output costs matter too. o3 charges $8.00/1M output tokens vs $8.00 for o4-mini Deep Research.
Multimodal capabilities: o3 supports vision (image inputs) while o4-mini Deep Research is text-only. If your application needs image understanding, this narrows your choice.
Best Use Cases
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
Choose o4-mini Deep Research when:
- • You're already using OpenAI's API ecosystem
Pros and Caveats at a Glance
o3
- • Input pricing: $2.00/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $8.00/M tokens
- • Context window: 1,000,000 tokens
- • Max output: 131,072 tokens
Watch out for
- • Trade-offs are minor in this matchup.
o4-mini Deep Research
- • Input pricing: $2.00/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $8.00/M tokens
- • Context window: 200,000 tokens
- • Max output: 32,768 tokens
Watch out for
- • Smaller context window than o3
Try Different Scenarios
Use the calculator below to see how costs change with different usage patterns
o3 (OpenAI)
o4-mini Deep Research (OpenAI)
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Which is cheaper, o3 or o4-mini Deep Research?▼
What is the context window difference between o3 and o4-mini Deep Research?▼
Which model is better for AI Agent / Agentic Workflows?▼
Which model has better overall pricing for heavy usage?▼
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