o4-mini (high) vs GPT-5 (medium): The Ultimate Performance & Pricing Comparison

The Final Verdict in the o4-mini (high) vs GPT-5 (medium) Showdown

After a comprehensive analysis, GPT-5 (medium) emerges as the superior choice for users prioritizing raw intelligence and reasoning. However, o4-mini (high) remains a highly competitive option, especially for scenarios demanding faster response times and cost-efficiency. This detailed o4-mini (high) vs GPT-5 (medium) comparison will break down every critical metric to help you make the best decision.

o4-mini (high) vs GPT-5 (medium): Key Differences at a Glance

Before we dive deep, here's a high-level summary of the o4-mini (high) vs GPT-5 (medium) comparison. This highlights the core metrics that define each model.

o4-mini (high)

By OpenAI

Intelligence Index:10

Blended Price / 1M:$0.001925

Generation Speed:126.38 tokens/sec

Released 2025-08-28

GPT-5 (medium)

By OpenAI

Intelligence Index:10

Blended Price / 1M:$0.0034375

Generation Speed:169.986 tokens/sec

Released 2025-08-28

Performance Analysis: The Definitive o4-mini (high) vs GPT-5 (medium) Battle

This radar chart visually maps the core capabilities (e.g., Intelligence, Coding, Math indices) of `o4-mini (high)` vs `GPT-5 (medium)`.

The capability radar provides a holistic view of the o4-mini (high) vs GPT-5 (medium) matchup. This chart illustrates each model's strengths and weaknesses at a glance, forming a cornerstone of our o4-mini (high) vs GPT-5 (medium) analysis.

The Economics of o4-mini (high) vs GPT-5 (medium)

Power is only one part of the equation. This o4-mini (high) vs GPT-5 (medium) pricing analysis gives you a true sense of value.

Pricing Breakdown

Real-World Cost Scenario

To process 1M input tokens and generate 250k output tokens, `o4-mini (high)` would cost $0.002, whereas `GPT-5 (medium)` would cost $0.004. This practical calculation is vital for any developer considering the o4-mini (high) vs GPT-5 (medium) choice.

Which Model Wins the o4-mini (high) vs GPT-5 (medium) Battle for You?

Choose o4-mini (high) if...

Your top priority is raw performance and capability.

You need the most advanced reasoning capabilities available.

Your use case demands cutting-edge AI performance.

Choose GPT-5 (medium) if...

You are developing at scale where operational costs are critical.

You prioritize cost-effectiveness over maximum performance.

Your workload requires consistent, reliable performance.

Your Questions about the o4-mini (high) vs GPT-5 (medium) Comparison

Data provided by https://artificialanalysis.ai/