GPT-4.1 Mini vs GPT-5.1
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 GPT-4.1 Mini if you need
- ✓higher measured intelligence for complex multimodal reasoning tasks
- ✓faster token generation at 115.83 t/s
- ✓strong native multimodal integration with images, text, and files
- ✓very large 400k context window without needing the absolute maximum scale
Choose GPT-5.1 if you need
- ✓lowest cost at $1.6 per million tokens for high-volume use
- ✓over one million tokens of context for large document workflows
- ✓processing of million-token image and text combinations
- ✓broad OpenAI-lineage capabilities at reduced price
Verdict
GPT-5.1 leads on raw intelligence (27.4 vs 22.9) and output speed (115.83 t/s vs 98.09 t/s) while GPT-4.1 Mini dominates on price ($1.6 vs $10 per 1M tokens) and context length (1,047,576 vs 400,000 tokens). Both share identical multimodal image/text/file support and the same provider limitations around missing audio/video. The choice hinges on whether users prioritize measured performance or cost-efficient scale.
GPT-4.1 Mini vs GPT-5.1: side by side
| Spec | GPT-4.1 Mini | GPT-5.1 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | 22.9 | 27.4 | GPT-5.1 |
| Output speed | 98 t/s | 116 t/s | GPT-5.1 |
| Output price | $1.60/1M | $10.00/1M | GPT-4.1 Mini |
| Context | 1048K | 400K | GPT-4.1 Mini |
| Params | — | — | Tie |
| Type | Proprietary | Proprietary | Tie |
| Provider | OpenAI | OpenAI | Tie |
Detailed analysis
Intelligence
Winner: GPT-5.1GPT-5.1 scores 27.4 on the intelligence index compared with 22.9 for GPT-4.1 Mini. This gap indicates stronger performance on complex multimodal tasks. Both models remain unverified beyond the published index values.
Speed
Winner: GPT-5.1GPT-5.1 outputs at 115.83 tokens per second versus 98.09 for GPT-4.1 Mini. The speed advantage holds across the reported benchmarks. Large context usage can still introduce latency for either model.
Pricing
Winner: GPT-4.1 MiniGPT-4.1 Mini costs $1.6 per million tokens while GPT-5.1 costs $10 per million tokens. The six-fold price difference favors GPT-4.1 Mini for budget-sensitive workloads. No other pricing tiers are specified.
Context Length
Winner: GPT-4.1 MiniGPT-4.1 Mini supports 1,047,576 tokens versus 400,000 for GPT-5.1. This enables larger document and image collections in a single call. Both note potential latency increases at maximum context sizes.
GPT-4.1 Mini
Pros
- +Handles over one million tokens of context
- +Processes images, text, and files together
- +Suitable for large document workflows
- +Broad general-purpose capabilities from OpenAI lineage
Cons
- –Mini variant may trade depth for efficiency
- –No audio or video modality support
- –Large context can increase response latency
GPT-5.1
Pros
- +Very large context window
- +Native support for images, text, and files
- +Strong multimodal integration
Cons
- –No audio or video modalities
- –Performance details unverified beyond specs
- –Potential latency with maximum context
Summary: GPT-4.1 Mini vs GPT-5.1
Select GPT-5.1 when intelligence and speed are the primary requirements. Choose GPT-4.1 Mini when cost and maximum context length matter most. Both models deliver the same core multimodal image/text/file capabilities from OpenAI.
Frequently asked questions
GPT-5.1 scores higher on intelligence and speed; GPT-4.1 Mini wins on price and context length. Neither is universally superior.