Pricing
AI Model Pricing Comparison 2026: Complete Cost Analysis
Updated pricing comparison of all major AI models including GPT-4o, Claude, Gemini, and emerging models. Find the best value for your budget.
📅 2/22/2026⏱️ 12 min read
pricingcomparison2026
AI Model Pricing Comparison 2026: Complete Cost Analysis
AI model pricing has evolved significantly in 2026. This comprehensive analysis covers all major providers and helps you find the best value for your specific use case and budget.
Budget Models (Under $1 per 1M input tokens)
| Model | Input Cost | Output Cost | Context Window | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPT-4o mini | $0.15 | $0.60 | 128K | High-volume simple tasks |
| Claude Haiku 4.5 | $1.00 | $5.00 | 200K | Quality + affordability |
| Gemini 2.5 Flash-Lite | $0.10 | $0.40 | 1M | Ultra-low cost applications |
Premium Models ($2-5 per 1M input tokens)
| Model | Input Cost | Output Cost | Context Window | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPT-4o | $2.50 | $10.00 | 128K | General purpose excellence |
| Claude Sonnet 4.6 | $3.00 | $15.00 | 200K | Reasoning + safety |
| Gemini 2.5 Pro | $1.25 | $10.00 | 2M | Large document processing |
Flagship Models ($5+ per 1M input tokens)
| Model | Input Cost | Output Cost | Context Window | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPT-4.1 | $2.00 | $8.00 | 200K | Advanced reasoning |
| Claude Opus 4.6 | $5.00 | $25.00 | 200K | Maximum quality |
Cost Calculation Examples
Here's what 1 million tokens costs across different use cases:
- Simple chatbot (mostly output): GPT-4o mini = $0.60, Claude Haiku = $5.00
- Document analysis (mostly input): Gemini Pro = $1.25, GPT-4o = $2.50
- Balanced usage (50/50): GPT-4o = $6.25, Claude Sonnet = $9.00
⚠️
Prices shown are current as of February 2026. Always verify with official provider documentation for the latest rates.
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