GPT-5 vs Claude Sonnet 4
Side-by-side pricing comparison with interactive cost calculator. Find out which model is cheaper for your exact usage pattern.
Pricing data verified: May 14, 2026
| Specification | GPT-5 (OpenAI) | Claude Sonnet 4 (Anthropic) |
|---|---|---|
| Input Price (per 1M tokens) | $1.25 | $3.00 |
| Output Price (per 1M tokens) | $10.00 | $15.00 |
| Context Window | 272K tokens | 200K tokens |
| Tier | Premium | Mid |
| Provider | OpenAI | Anthropic |
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Which Model for Which Use Case?
Code Generation & Debugging
Both models handle coding well. Claude Sonnet 4 excels at following complex instructions and producing clean, well-structured code. GPT-5 is competitive and significantly cheaper.
Chatbots & Customer Support
High-volume, lower-complexity tasks where cost per request matters most. GPT-5's lower pricing makes it the clear winner for production chatbots at scale.
RAG Pipelines & Document Processing
Large input contexts with moderate output. GPT-5's 272K context window and lower input pricing give it an edge for document-heavy workloads.
Complex Reasoning & Analysis
Tasks requiring deep analysis, multi-step reasoning, or nuanced understanding. Claude Sonnet 4's reputation for careful reasoning may justify the premium.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is GPT-5 cheaper than Claude Sonnet 4?
Yes. GPT-5 costs $1.25/M input and $10/M output. Claude Sonnet 4 costs $3/M input and $15/M output. For a typical workload of 1M input + 500K output tokens/month, GPT-5 costs $6.25 vs Claude Sonnet 4's $10.50 — saving you $4.25/month (40%).
Which is better for coding: GPT-5 or Claude Sonnet 4?
Both models excel at coding tasks. Claude Sonnet 4 is known for strong instruction following and clean code output. GPT-5 offers competitive coding performance at a lower price point. For cost-sensitive coding workloads, GPT-5 is the better value. For complex reasoning tasks where quality matters most, Claude Sonnet 4 may be worth the premium.
What is the context window difference?
GPT-5 has a 272K token context window. Claude Sonnet 4 has a 200K token context window. GPT-5 offers 36% more context capacity, which matters for processing long documents or maintaining extended conversations.
Can I switch between GPT-5 and Claude Sonnet 4 easily?
Yes. Both use standard REST APIs with similar request/response formats. If you're using an abstraction layer (like LangChain or LiteLLM), switching is a one-line config change. Use our Model Switch Calculator to see exact savings from switching.