GPT-4.1 vs GPT-5 Nano
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.
GPT-4.1 vs GPT-5 Nano: side by side
| Spec | GPT-4.1 | GPT-5 Nano | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | 26.3 | 26.8 | GPT-5 Nano |
| Output speed | 130 t/s | 170 t/s | GPT-5 Nano |
| Output price | $8.00/1M | $0.40/1M | GPT-5 Nano |
| Context | 1048K | 400K | GPT-4.1 |
| Params | — | — | Tie |
| Type | Proprietary | Proprietary | Tie |
| Provider | OpenAI | OpenAI | Tie |
GPT-4.1
Pros
- +Handles very large context windows
- +Processes images, text, and files together
- +Strong reasoning from OpenAI GPT lineage
- +Flexible multimodal inputs
Cons
- –Closed-source with no public weights
- –May hallucinate on complex tasks
- –High compute cost for full context
GPT-5 Nano
Pros
- +Handles very large contexts efficiently
- +Supports text, image, and file inputs
- +Lightweight design for faster responses
- +Practical for extended document tasks
Cons
- –Lower capability depth than full-scale models
- –May struggle with highly complex reasoning
- –Trade-off in advanced task performance
Frequently asked questions
It depends on your needs. GPT-4.1 and GPT-5 Nano are both multimodal models; the comparison table above shows where each one leads on the metrics that matter. See the verdict for a recommendation.