Claude Haiku 4.5 vs GPT-5 mini
The budget AI showdown — GPT-5 mini is 60-75% cheaper with 36% more context. The cheapest quality AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic go head to head.
Pricing data verified: Jun 8, 2026
| Specification | Claude Haiku 4.5 | GPT-5 mini |
|---|---|---|
| Input Price (per 1M tokens) | $1.00 | $0.25 |
| Output Price (per 1M tokens) | $5.00 | $2.00 |
| Context Window | 200K tokens | 272K tokens |
| Tier | Budget | Budget |
| Provider | Anthropic | OpenAI |
| Input Savings | — | 75% cheaper |
| Cost at 1M input + 500K output | $3.50 | $1.25 |
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Which Model for Which Use Case?
Maximum Cost Savings
GPT-5 mini delivers 60-75% cost savings with 36% more context. For high-volume, cost-sensitive workloads, GPT-5 mini is the clear winner at $0.25/$2.00 pricing.
High-Volume Chatbots
For customer support chatbots handling thousands of requests daily, GPT-5 mini's pricing makes it 3x cheaper than Haiku at scale. Both handle conversational tasks well.
Content Classification & Routing
Both models excel at classification, routing, and simple extraction tasks. GPT-5 mini does it at 60-75% lower cost with more context window for longer inputs.
Anthropic Safety & Compliance
Claude Haiku 4.5 benefits from Anthropic's safety-first approach and content policies. For regulated industries or safety-critical applications, Haiku may be preferred.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is GPT-5 mini cheaper than Claude Haiku 4.5?
Yes. GPT-5 mini costs $0.25/M input and $2/M output. Claude Haiku 4.5 costs $1/M input and $5/M output. GPT-5 mini is 75% cheaper on input and 60% cheaper on output. For a typical workload of 1M input + 500K output tokens/month, GPT-5 mini costs $1.25 vs Haiku 4.5's $3.50 — saving you $2.25/month (64%).
How does GPT-5 mini quality compare to Claude Haiku 4.5?
Claude Haiku 4.5 is Anthropic's fastest and cheapest model, optimized for speed and cost. GPT-5 mini is OpenAI's budget model with surprisingly strong capabilities. GPT-5 mini offers better value at 60-75% lower cost with 36% more context (272K vs 200K). For most budget use cases, GPT-5 mini delivers better bang for the buck.
When should I choose Claude Haiku 4.5 over GPT-5 mini?
Choose Claude Haiku 4.5 when you need: (1) Anthropic's safety features and content policies, (2) fast response times for simple tasks, (3) integration with Anthropic's ecosystem. Choose GPT-5 mini when you want 60-75% lower cost, 36% more context, and strong budget-tier performance for most use cases.
What is the context window difference between Haiku 4.5 and GPT-5 mini?
GPT-5 mini offers a 272K token context window — 36% larger than Claude Haiku 4.5's 200K. Combined with 60-75% lower pricing, GPT-5 mini is the stronger budget option for most use cases.