How do I choose the right AI model?

Consider your use case (chat, code, analysis), budget, quality requirements, and latency needs. The Decision Tree above matches you to the best model based on these factors.

What is the cheapest AI model for chatbots?

Gemini 2.5 Flash-Lite ($0.10/$0.40 per 1M tokens) and DeepSeek V4 Flash ($0.22/$0.66) are the cheapest for chat. For better quality at a low price, GPT-5 mini ($0.25/$2.00) and Mistral Small ($0.15/$0.60) are excellent choices.

Which AI model is best for code generation?

GPT-5.3 Codex ($1.75/$14.00) is purpose-built for code. Claude Sonnet 4.6 ($3/$15) and DeepSeek V4 Pro ($0.66/$1.98) are also excellent for coding at different price points.

Which AI Model Should You Use?

Answer 4 quick questions. Get a personalized recommendation with cost estimates.

Question 1 of 4

What's your primary use case?

Question 2 of 4

What's your monthly API budget?

Question 3 of 4

What matters most to you?

Question 4 of 4

How many requests per day do you expect?

Your Recommended Model

—

Why This Model?

—

Estimated Monthly Cost

Also Consider

Next Steps

Use the Cost Calculator to fine-tune your estimate, or try the Cost Optimizer to find savings on your current setup.

Which AI Model Should You Use?

Why This Model?

Estimated Monthly Cost

Also Consider

Next Steps

Related Tools