GPT vs Claude API Pricing: gpt-5.5 vs Claude Opus & Sonnet
For flagships, gpt-5.5 ($5/$30 per 1M) and Claude Opus 4.8 ($5/$25) are close, with Opus cheaper on output. For most production work, Claude Sonnet 4.6 at $3/$15 is the better value unless you specifically need gpt-5.5's strengths.
Choose gpt-5.5 for OpenAI's frontier coding and reasoning, Flex/Batch modes, and the widest tooling.
Choose Claude Opus for the hardest reasoning, or Sonnet 4.6 for the best balance of quality and price.
Side by side
| GPT (gpt-5.5) | Claude (Opus/Sonnet) | |
|---|---|---|
| Flagship input | $5.00/1M | $5.00/1M (Opus) |
| Flagship output | $30.00/1M | $25.00/1M (Opus) |
| Value pick | gpt-5.4-mini $0.75/$4.50 | Sonnet 4.6 $3.00/$15.00 |
| Cached input | $0.50/1M | $0.50/1M (Opus read) |
| Context | 1M | 1M |
Comparing GPT and Claude on price means comparing tiers. At the top, gpt-5.5 and Claude Opus 4.8 both charge $5.00/1M for input; Opus is cheaper on output ($25 vs $30). If you want maximum capability, the two are competitive and the choice usually comes down to which model fits your tasks.
For everyday production, the value tiers diverge. OpenAI's gpt-5.4-mini is extremely cheap ($0.75/$4.50), while Claude Sonnet 4.6 ($3.00/$15.00) is a higher-quality mid-tier with a 1M context window. Many teams run a cheap model for routing and a Sonnet/Opus class model for hard steps.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, GPT or Claude?
Which has a bigger context window?
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