Claude Sonnet 4.6 vs GPT-5
Anthropic vs OpenAI — GPT-5 is 58% cheaper on input and 33% cheaper on output, but Sonnet 4.6 has 3.7x more context.
Pricing data verified: Jun 11, 2026
| Specification | Claude Sonnet 4.6 | GPT-5 |
|---|---|---|
| Input Price (per 1M tokens) | $3.00 | $1.25 |
| Output Price (per 1M tokens) | $15.00 | $10.00 |
| Context Window | 1M tokens | 272K tokens |
| Tier | Mid | Premium |
| Provider | Anthropic | OpenAI |
| Cost at 1M input + 500K output | $10.50 | $6.25 |
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Which Model for Which Use Case?
Cost Optimization
GPT-5 at $1.25/M input is 58% cheaper than Sonnet 4.6. For high-volume workloads within 272K context, GPT-5 delivers significant savings.
Long Context
Sonnet 4.6's 1M context window is 3.7x larger than GPT-5's 272K. For processing long documents, legal files, or codebases, Sonnet 4.6 is the clear winner.
Code Generation
Both models are strong at code generation. Sonnet 4.6 excels at complex refactoring with its larger context. GPT-5 offers better value for straightforward coding tasks.
Enterprise Workloads
Sonnet 4.6 offers Anthropic's safety-focused approach with 1M context for enterprise document processing. GPT-5 provides OpenAI's ecosystem with lower costs for standard workloads.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is GPT-5 cheaper than Claude Sonnet 4.6?
Yes. GPT-5 costs $1.25/M input and $10.00/M output. Claude Sonnet 4.6 costs $3.00/M input and $15.00/M output. GPT-5 is 58% cheaper on input and 33% cheaper on output. For 1M input + 500K output/month, GPT-5 costs $6.25 vs Sonnet's $10.50 — saving $4.25/month (40%).
Which has a larger context window?
Claude Sonnet 4.6 has a 1M token context window — 3.7x larger than GPT-5's 272K context. If you need to process long documents or maintain extensive conversation history, Sonnet 4.6 has a significant advantage.
When should I choose Claude Sonnet 4.6 over GPT-5?
Choose Sonnet 4.6 when: (1) you need long context (1M vs 272K), (2) you want Anthropic's safety-focused approach, (3) your workload involves large document processing. Choose GPT-5 when: (1) cost matters (33-58% cheaper), (2) your context fits within 272K, (3) you want OpenAI's ecosystem and tooling.
Are both models production-ready?
Both are production-ready. Sonnet 4.6 is Anthropic's mid-tier model with 1M context and strong reasoning. GPT-5 is OpenAI's premium model offering excellent value at lower price points. Both handle enterprise workloads well.