Claude Opus 4.8 vs GPT-5.5
The two most powerful premium AI models. Compare pricing, context windows, and find the best value for your demanding workloads.
Pricing data verified: Jun 8, 2026
| Specification | Claude Opus 4.8 (Anthropic) | GPT-5.5 (OpenAI) |
|---|---|---|
| Input Price (per 1M tokens) | $5.00 | $5.00 |
| Output Price (per 1M tokens) | $25.00 | $30.00 |
| Context Window | 1M tokens | 1.05M tokens |
| Tier | Premium | Premium |
| Provider | Anthropic | OpenAI |
| Output Savings vs Other | 17% cheaper output | 5% more context |
Calculate Your Exact Costs
Premium tier — for when only the most capable model will do.
Other Premium Models
Which Premium Model for Which Use Case?
Deep Research & Analysis
Complex multi-step reasoning, research synthesis, and nuanced analysis. Both are exceptional. Opus 4.8 is widely regarded as the strongest reasoning model available.
Long-Form Content
Novels, reports, documentation. Both handle 1M+ context. Opus 4.8's output pricing ($25/M vs $30/M) saves 17% on long outputs.
Enterprise AI Applications
Production systems requiring maximum capability. Both are enterprise-ready. GPT-5.5 offers slightly more context (1.05M) and OpenAI's tool-use ecosystem.
Code Generation
Complex code generation, architecture design, refactoring. Both are top-tier. Opus 4.8 excels at following complex instructions precisely.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Claude Opus 4.8 cheaper than GPT-5.5?
Yes, on output tokens. Both models cost $5/M for input tokens, but Claude Opus 4.8 costs $25/M for output while GPT-5.5 costs $30/M — a 17% savings on output. For a typical workload of 1M input + 500K output tokens/month, Claude Opus 4.8 costs $17.50 vs GPT-5.5's $20.00.
Which has a larger context window?
GPT-5.5 has a slightly larger context window at 1.05M tokens compared to Claude Opus 4.8's 1M tokens. The difference is only 5%, so both models handle similarly large contexts. For most use cases, the context window is essentially equivalent.
When should I choose Claude Opus 4.8 over GPT-5.5?
Choose Claude Opus 4.8 when you need: (1) Maximum output quality for creative writing, analysis, or nuanced reasoning, (2) Lower output costs at scale ($25/M vs $30/M), (3) Tasks requiring careful instruction following. Choose GPT-5.5 when you need OpenAI ecosystem integration or slightly more context.
Can I use Claude Opus 4.8 and GPT-5.5 together?
Yes. Many teams use both: Claude Opus 4.8 for complex reasoning, writing, and analysis tasks, and GPT-5.5 for tasks that benefit from OpenAI's tool use or when you need 1.05M context. A multi-model strategy lets you pick the best model per task.