GPT-5 (medium) vs GPT-5 (low): The Ultimate Performance & Pricing Comparison

Deep dive into reasoning, benchmarks, and latency insights.

The Final Verdict in the GPT-5 (medium) vs GPT-5 (low) Showdown

After a comprehensive analysis, GPT-5 (medium) emerges as the superior choice for users prioritizing raw intelligence and reasoning. However, GPT-5 (low) remains a highly competitive option, especially for scenarios demanding faster response times and cost-efficiency. This detailed GPT-5 (medium) vs GPT-5 (low) comparison will break down every critical metric to help you make the best decision.

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Model Snapshot

Key decision metrics at a glance.

GPT-5 (medium)

OpenAI

Reasoning: 9
Coding: 6
Multimodal: 6
Long Context: 8
Blended Price / 1M tokens: $0.003
P95 Latency: 1000ms
Tokens per second: 107.616tokens/sec

GPT-5 (low)

OpenAI

Reasoning: 8
Coding: 6
Multimodal: 5
Long Context: 8
Blended Price / 1M tokens: $0.003
P95 Latency: 1000ms
Tokens per second: 118.089tokens/sec

Overall Capabilities

The capability radar provides a holistic view of the GPT-5 (medium) vs GPT-5 (low) matchup. This chart illustrates each model's strengths and weaknesses at a glance, forming a cornerstone of our GPT-5 (medium) vs GPT-5 (low) analysis.

This radar chart visually maps the core capabilities (reasoning, coding, math proxy, multimodal, long context) of `GPT-5 (medium)` vs `GPT-5 (low)`.

Benchmark Breakdown

For a granular look, this chart directly compares scores across standardized benchmarks. In the critical MMLU Pro test, a key part of the GPT-5 (medium) vs GPT-5 (low) debate, GPT-5 (medium) scores 90 against GPT-5 (low)'s 80. This data-driven approach is essential for any serious GPT-5 (medium) vs GPT-5 (low) comparison.

This grouped bar chart provides a side-by-side comparison for each benchmark metric.

Speed & Latency

Speed is a crucial factor in the GPT-5 (medium) vs GPT-5 (low) decision for interactive applications. The metrics below highlight the trade-offs you should weigh before shipping to production.

Time to First Token

GPT-5 (medium)300ms

GPT-5 (low)300ms

Tokens per Second

GPT-5 (medium)107.616

GPT-5 (low)118.089

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The Economics of GPT-5 (medium) vs GPT-5 (low)

Power is only one part of the equation. This GPT-5 (medium) vs GPT-5 (low) pricing analysis gives you a true sense of value.

Pricing Breakdown

Compare input and output pricing at a glance.

Real-World Cost Scenario

To process 1M input tokens and generate 250k output tokens, GPT-5 (medium) would cost $0.004, whereas GPT-5 (low) would cost $0.004. This practical calculation is vital for any developer considering the GPT-5 (medium) vs GPT-5 (low) choice.

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Which Model Wins the GPT-5 (medium) vs GPT-5 (low) Battle for You?

Choose GPT-5 (medium) if...

Your top priority is raw performance and capability.

You are working in a technical or scientific field requiring the highest accuracy.

You need the most advanced reasoning capabilities available.

Choose GPT-5 (low) if...

You are developing at scale where operational costs are critical.

You prioritize cost-effectiveness over maximum performance.

Your workload requires consistent, reliable performance.

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Your Questions about the GPT-5 (medium) vs GPT-5 (low) Comparison

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Data provided by https://artificialanalysis.ai/