What affects cost
- Output length
- Repeated context
- Retries and agent loops
- Modality-specific rates
- Using flagship models for routine tasks
LLM API
OpenAI API pricing
Good default for teams that need broad model coverage, strong docs, and low-cost routing options.
Decision summary: Choose OpenAI when ecosystem maturity and multimodal coverage matter; control cost with routing and output limits.
Pricing overview
| Plan or model | Pricing posture | Decision note |
|---|---|---|
| GPT-4o mini | $0.15 / 1M input tokens; $0.60 / 1M output tokens | Useful for high-volume routing and routine tasks. |
| GPT-4o | $2.50 / 1M input tokens; $10.00 / 1M output tokens | Better fit for higher-quality multimodal product experiences. |
Cheaper alternatives
- GPT-4o mini
- Claude Haiku 4.5
- Gemini 2.5 Flash after output pricing is verified
Best for
- production AI features
- multimodal apps
- teams that value ecosystem depth
Not ideal for
- teams optimizing only for lowest cost
- workloads without token monitoring
- buyers that need fixed monthly spend
FAQ
Questions teams ask before choosing
Is OpenAI the cheapest LLM API?
Not always. OpenAI has strong low-cost options, but the cheapest choice depends on model quality needs, prompt length, and output length.
What should small teams watch first?
Track output tokens, retries, and repeated context. Those usually explain cost surprises.