There is no single cheaper provider across all models and workloads. Select a specific GPT and Claude model, then compare fresh input, cache reads and output on the same request volume. Treat the result as a cost estimate, not a quality ranking.
One workload. Two cost estimates.
Compare any two models or the same model through two channels. Edit the sample workload to match your application.
Stored sample, 2,000 input + 500 output tokens, 10,000 requests: A $125.00 / B $135.00. Enable JavaScript to edit and see the detailed comparison.
Links contain your model choices and workload numbers. Share only estimates you want others to see. Costs use stored rates; check each source date below before budgeting.
What does the same monthly workload cost?
These stored examples use 2,000 input tokens and 500 output tokens per request, 10,000 requests per month, no cached reads and no credit fee. Each row compares one exact model across channels. Different rows are examples of price options, not evidence of equivalent output quality. The model links provide individual context and pricing notes.
| Model | Official / month | OpenRouter / month | Price verification dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPT-5.4 mini | $37.50 | $37.50 | Official: 2026-07-30 OpenRouter: 2026-09-10 |
| Claude Haiku 4.5 | $45.00 | $45.00 | Official: 2026-07-29 OpenRouter: 2026-09-10 |
| GPT-5.4 | $125.00 | $125.00 | Official: 2026-07-30 OpenRouter: 2026-09-10 |
| Claude Sonnet 4.6 | $135.00 | $135.00 | Official: 2026-07-29 OpenRouter: 2026-09-10 |
Why can Claude vs GPT cost rankings change?
Provider names describe families of models, not a single price. A smaller GPT model and a larger Claude model may have very different capabilities and intended uses. Start with models that meet your task requirements, then compare their costs. The examples cover selected models in our catalog; they do not claim to represent every model, region or commercial agreement offered by either provider.
Output-heavy work can favor a different model from input-heavy document processing. The chat preset uses a short prompt and answer; the document Q&A preset uses more input and a sample cache-read share; the summary preset uses long input without assuming reuse. These are editable assumptions, not observed user traffic. A cache hit is not guaranteed just because a request contains repeated context.
Which costs need a separate check?
The calculator separates fresh input, cache reads and generated output. It does not add cache creation charges, batch discounts, tools, image or audio processing, or higher rates above a long-context threshold. If a cache-read rate is missing from the catalog, it applies full input price and explains the assumption. This avoids displaying missing pricing as free usage, but it still does not estimate every billing dimension.
For a fair direct comparison, keep both channel selectors on Official direct. To compare routed versions, set both to OpenRouter and decide whether to include the credit fee. Choosing a different channel for each model is also possible, but then the result combines a model choice with a billing-channel choice. The receipt labels make both selections explicit.
How should you interpret this estimate?
The same token counts isolate price differences. In production, tokenization, output length, retries and tool use can differ between models. Test your own examples before selecting a cheaper option. A model with a lower token rate can cost more per successful task if it requires repeated attempts or more generated output. Our examples do not measure quality, latency or reliability.
A page build is not a new price verification. The dates beside source links show when each stored price was verified. Failed checks preserve older values rather than replacing them with guesses; an old snapshot can still be useful for testing the calculator, but needs confirmation at the provider before a purchasing decision. Read the methodology for how the two channels are recorded separately.
API cost comparison questions
Does the cheapest estimate mean the best model?
No. This compares token costs for the same workload, not capability. Evaluate quality and cost per successful task using your own examples.
Can I compare Claude and GPT with cached input?
Yes, set the cache-read share. If a stored cache-read price is missing, the estimate uses full input price and flags it. Cache-write charges are excluded.
Does a shared link lock today’s rates?
No. It restores model choices, channels and workload values using the data loaded when opened. Check the source verification dates each time.