Claude Opus 4.8 vs GPT-5.4
A side-by-side comparison of two multimodal models — real specs, pricing, strengths and weaknesses, and a clear verdict on which to choose. Kept current by our agents.
Quick verdict: which should you choose?
Choose Claude Opus 4.8 if you need
- ✓Choose Claude Opus 4.8 if you need higher intelligence_index performance at 55.7 for nuanced reasoning.
- ✓Choose Claude Opus 4.8 if you need robust safety alignment and careful handling of text, images, and files.
- ✓Choose Claude Opus 4.8 if you need effective processing of extremely long inputs up to 1M tokens with conservative outputs.
Choose GPT-5.4 if you need
- ✓Choose GPT-5.4 if you need faster output speed at 147.95 t/s for high-volume tasks.
- ✓Choose GPT-5.4 if you need lower pricing at $15 per million tokens with strong document-level multimodal integration.
- ✓Choose GPT-5.4 if you need flexible workflows over contexts up to 1.05M tokens.
Verdict
Claude Opus 4.8 leads in intelligence and nuanced multimodal reasoning with its higher index of 55.7, while GPT-5.4 excels in speed and cost-efficiency at nearly 148 t/s and $15 per million tokens. Claude's strengths in careful analysis and safety alignment suit complex, long-context tasks, whereas GPT-5.4's faster output and flexible workflows better serve high-volume document processing. Context sizes are nearly identical, with GPT-5.4 holding a slight edge at 1.05M tokens.
Claude Opus 4.8 vs GPT-5.4: side by side
| Spec | Claude Opus 4.8 | GPT-5.4 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | 55.7 | 51.4 | Claude Opus 4.8 |
| Output speed | 62 t/s | 148 t/s | GPT-5.4 |
| Output price | $25.00/1M | $15.00/1M | GPT-5.4 |
| Context | 1000K | 1050K | GPT-5.4 |
| Params | — | — | Tie |
| Provider | Anthropic | OpenAI | Tie |
Detailed analysis
Intelligence
Winner: Claude Opus 4.8Claude Opus 4.8 scores higher on intelligence_index at 55.7 compared to GPT-5.4's 51.4. This supports its edge in careful and nuanced multimodal reasoning over text, images, and files.
Speed
Winner: GPT-5.4GPT-5.4 delivers significantly higher output speed at 147.95 t/s versus Claude Opus 4.8's 61.86 t/s. Both note potential latency increases with large contexts, but GPT-5.4 maintains a clear throughput advantage.
Pricing
Winner: GPT-5.4GPT-5.4 is priced lower at $15 per million tokens against Claude Opus 4.8 at $25 per million tokens. This makes GPT-5.4 more cost-effective for extended multimodal usage.
Context Handling
Winner: TieBoth models handle extremely large contexts effectively, with Claude at 1M tokens and GPT-5.4 at 1.05M tokens. Claude emphasizes nuanced integration while GPT-5.4 focuses on seamless document-level tasks.
Claude Opus 4.8
Pros
- +Handles extremely long inputs effectively
- +Strong multimodal integration of text, images, and files
- +Careful and nuanced reasoning
Cons
- –Higher latency on large contexts
- –Conservative response style due to safety tuning
- –May require explicit guidance for creative tasks
GPT-5.4
Pros
- +Handles extremely large contexts
- +Seamless text-image-file integration
- +Strong at document-level tasks
Cons
- –No native audio or video support
- –Large context can increase latency
- –May need careful prompting for complex tasks
Summary: Claude Opus 4.8 vs GPT-5.4
Select Claude Opus 4.8 for tasks prioritizing intelligence, safety, and nuanced multimodal reasoning. Opt for GPT-5.4 when speed, lower cost, and flexible large-scale workflows are primary needs. The choice depends on whether reasoning depth or operational efficiency drives the use case.
Frequently asked questions
Claude Opus 4.8 is stronger for nuanced reasoning and safety, while GPT-5.4 leads in speed and cost; neither is universally better.