GPT-4.1 Mini 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 GPT-4.1 Mini if you need
- ✓Choose GPT-4.1 Mini if you need the largest context window over 1 million tokens for extensive document processing.
- ✓Choose GPT-4.1 Mini if you need the lowest output price at $1.6 per million tokens.
- ✓Choose GPT-4.1 Mini if you need broad general-purpose multimodal capabilities at reduced cost.
- ✓Choose GPT-4.1 Mini if you need to handle million-token image and text tasks on a budget.
Choose GPT-5.4 Mini if you need
- ✓Choose GPT-5.4 Mini if you need substantially higher intelligence (48.9 index) for complex reasoning.
- ✓Choose GPT-5.4 Mini if you need faster output at 180.73 tokens per second.
- ✓Choose GPT-5.4 Mini if you need flexible multimodal workflows with strong performance on files and images.
- ✓Choose GPT-5.4 Mini if you need balanced large-scale processing where speed and capability outweigh cost.
Verdict
GPT-5.4 Mini leads decisively on intelligence (48.9 vs 22.9) and output speed (180.73 t/s vs 98.09 t/s), making it stronger for complex multimodal reasoning. GPT-4.1 Mini wins on price ($1.6 vs $4.5 per million tokens) and context length (1,047,576 vs 400,000 tokens), suiting large-document, cost-sensitive workflows. Both share OpenAI multimodal file/image/text support but trade depth for efficiency as Mini variants.
GPT-4.1 Mini vs GPT-5.4 Mini: side by side
| Spec | GPT-4.1 Mini | GPT-5.4 Mini | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | 22.9 | 48.9 | GPT-5.4 Mini |
| Output speed | 98 t/s | 181 t/s | GPT-5.4 Mini |
| Output price | $1.60/1M | $4.50/1M | 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-5.4 MiniGPT-5.4 Mini scores 48.9 on the intelligence index compared to GPT-4.1 Mini's 22.9. This gap indicates stronger performance on complex multimodal tasks. Both are Mini variants that may limit depth relative to full-size models.
Speed
Winner: GPT-5.4 MiniGPT-5.4 Mini delivers 180.73 tokens per second versus GPT-4.1 Mini's 98.09 t/s. The higher speed supports faster iteration in document-heavy multimodal workflows. Large contexts in either model can still increase latency.
Pricing
Winner: GPT-4.1 MiniGPT-4.1 Mini costs $1.6 per million output tokens while GPT-5.4 Mini costs $4.5. The lower price makes GPT-4.1 Mini preferable for high-volume usage. Both are proprietary OpenAI models with identical modality support.
Context Window
Winner: GPT-4.1 MiniGPT-4.1 Mini provides 1,047,576 tokens of context versus GPT-5.4 Mini's 400,000. The larger window directly benefits million-token image and text tasks. Both handle files, images, and text natively.
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-5.4 Mini
Pros
- +Very large context window
- +Native support for files, images, and text
- +Flexible multimodal workflows
- +Suitable for document-heavy tasks
Cons
- –Mini size may reduce depth on complex reasoning
- –Performance depends on input quality across modalities
- –Long contexts can increase latency
Summary: GPT-4.1 Mini vs GPT-5.4 Mini
Select GPT-4.1 Mini when maximum context and lowest cost are priorities for large multimodal document work. Select GPT-5.4 Mini when higher intelligence and faster speeds justify the premium for demanding tasks. The choice hinges on whether context size and price outweigh raw capability.
Frequently asked questions
GPT-5.4 Mini is better on intelligence and speed; GPT-4.1 Mini is better on price and context length.