OpenAI vs Claude pricing
OpenAI vs Claude Pricing and Cost Calculator
Compare estimated monthly API spend for OpenAI and Claude models from the same request volume, input tokens, output tokens, cached-input assumptions, and budget buffer.
Compare OpenAI vs Claude API pricing
Choose a workload, enter monthly requests and token size, then compare provider cost before committing.
- 1Pick workloadUse the closest API usage scenario.
- 2Enter tokensAdd request volume, input, output, and cache.
- 3Compare modelsCheck monthly cost and effective rate.
- 4Share or exportCopy the link or download the CSV.
Next: copy the share link or export the CSV, then request a worksheet or send a pricing correction if the assumptions need review.
| Provider | Model | Input / 1M | Cached / 1M | Output / 1M | Discount | Monthly cost | Cost / request |
|---|
Keep assumptions constant
Compare providers with the same monthly requests, prompt size, and expected response length.
Include repeated context
Model repeated system prompts, policies, examples, and retrieval context as cached input.
Add production buffer
Plan for retries, traffic spikes, longer answers, and prompt changes after launch.
How to compare OpenAI and Claude API cost
Start with an average production request: input tokens, output tokens, monthly request count, and the portion of input that repeats often enough to count as cached. The calculator applies each model's input, cached-input, and output token prices.
Formula: input tokens * input price + output tokens * output price. The lowest-cost model is useful for budget screening, but the final model choice should include quality, latency, context window, and product requirements.
| Need | Best page | Why |
|---|---|---|
| OpenAI-specific budget | OpenAI API Cost Calculator | Uses OpenAI models, cached input, and a budget buffer. |
| Claude cache read/write planning | Claude Token Cost Calculator | Separates standard input, cache reads, cache writes, and output cost. |
| Compare with Gemini too | AI API Pricing Calculator | Compares OpenAI, Claude, and Gemini in one table. |
| Estimate prompt tokens first | Token Counter | Starts from pasted prompt text before you know average token counts. |
FAQ
Which is cheaper, OpenAI or Claude?
It depends on the model, prompt size, output length, cached input share, and request volume. This calculator keeps the workload constant and sorts OpenAI and Claude models by estimated monthly cost.
Does cached input affect OpenAI and Claude the same way?
No. Both providers can have discounted cached input, but Claude also has cache write pricing in some workflows. Use the Claude token cost calculator for more detailed cache read and write planning.
Should I choose only by API price?
No. Price is only one input. Compare latency, context window, quality, tool support, data controls, reliability, and operational fit before choosing a production model.
Sources
OpenAI and Claude prices in this site were last checked on 2026-07-04. Pricing can change without notice.