Claude Opus 4.8 vs GPT-5.4 Mini
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 GPT-5.4 Mini if you need very fast output at low cost for document-heavy multimodal tasks.
- ✓Choose GPT-5.4 Mini if you need native file, image, and text support within a 400k context window.
- ✓Choose GPT-5.4 Mini if you need flexible workflows where speed outweighs maximum reasoning depth.
- ✓Choose GPT-5.4 Mini if you need to process large-scale inputs without high per-token expense.
Choose GPT-5.4 Mini if you need
- ✓Choose Claude Opus 4.8 if you need higher intelligence and careful nuanced reasoning over million-token contexts.
- ✓Choose Claude Opus 4.8 if you need robust safety alignment and strong multimodal integration of text, images, and files.
- ✓Choose Claude Opus 4.8 if you need effective handling of extremely long inputs with detailed analysis.
- ✓Choose Claude Opus 4.8 if you need conservative, safety-tuned responses for complex multimodal queries.
Verdict
Claude Opus 4.8 leads on intelligence (55.7 vs 40) and maximum context length (1M vs 400k tokens) with stronger nuanced multimodal reasoning, while GPT-5.4 Mini dominates on output speed (179.92 t/s vs 68.22 t/s) and price ($4.5 vs $25 per million tokens). GPT-5.4 Mini suits high-volume document workflows; Claude Opus 4.8 suits tasks needing careful analysis over extremely long inputs.
Claude Opus 4.8 vs GPT-5.4 Mini: side by side
| Spec | Claude Opus 4.8 | GPT-5.4 Mini | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | 55.7 | 40 | Claude Opus 4.8 |
| Output speed | 68 t/s | 180 t/s | GPT-5.4 Mini |
| Output price | $25.00/1M | $4.50/1M | GPT-5.4 Mini |
| Context | 1000K | 400K | Claude Opus 4.8 |
| Params | — | — | Tie |
| Provider | Anthropic | OpenAI | Tie |
Detailed analysis
Intelligence
Winner: Claude Opus 4.8Claude Opus 4.8 scores 55.7 on the intelligence index compared to GPT-5.4 Mini's 40. This edge supports its strength in careful and nuanced reasoning. GPT-5.4 Mini's lower index aligns with its noted limitation on depth for complex tasks.
Speed
Winner: GPT-5.4 MiniGPT-5.4 Mini delivers 179.92 tokens per second versus Claude Opus 4.8's 68.22 t/s. The speed advantage makes it preferable for high-volume processing. Both models note latency increases with long contexts, but GPT-5.4 Mini's baseline rate remains substantially higher.
Pricing
Winner: GPT-5.4 MiniGPT-5.4 Mini costs $4.5 per million tokens while Claude Opus 4.8 costs $25 per million tokens. The fivefold price difference favors GPT-5.4 Mini for cost-sensitive, large-scale multimodal workloads. No other pricing details are provided.
Context Length
Winner: Claude Opus 4.8Claude Opus 4.8 supports a 1,000,000-token context compared to GPT-5.4 Mini's 400,000 tokens. This gives Claude the advantage for extremely long inputs. GPT-5.4 Mini's 400k window is still described as very large and suitable for document-heavy 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 Mini
Pros
- +Very large context window
- +Native support for files, images, and text
- +Flexible multimodal workflows
Cons
- –Mini size may reduce depth on complex reasoning
- –Performance depends on input quality across modalities
- –Long contexts can increase latency
Summary: Claude Opus 4.8 vs GPT-5.4 Mini
Select GPT-5.4 Mini when speed and low cost are priorities for multimodal document processing. Select Claude Opus 4.8 when maximum context, higher intelligence, and nuanced reasoning matter most. The choice hinges on whether throughput or depth is the primary requirement.
Frequently asked questions
Claude Opus 4.8 scores higher on intelligence and offers a larger context window, while GPT-5.4 Mini is faster and cheaper; neither is universally better.