GPT-5.4 Nano vs Grok 4.20
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-5.4 Nano if you need
- ✓Need up to 2M token context for massive documents or files
- ✓Require native multimodal integration across text, image, and file in one model
- ✓Prioritize handling extremely large inputs despite potential latency
- ✓Work with inputs where context scale outweighs raw speed or cost
Choose Grok 4.20 if you need
- ✓Want higher intelligence (38.2 index) on complex multimodal tasks
- ✓Need faster output at 156.98 t/s and lower cost of $1.25 per 1M tokens
- ✓Handle 400k token contexts with file and image inputs efficiently
- ✓Prefer a compact model for balanced long-context performance without extreme scale
Verdict
GPT-5.4 Nano leads in intelligence (38.2 vs 37), speed (156.98 t/s vs 132.31 t/s), and price ($1.25 vs $2.5 per 1M tokens), while Grok 4.20 dominates context size with a 2M token window versus 400k. Both share identical multimodal limits (text, image, file only) and proprietary status. Grok 4.20 suits extreme context needs; GPT-5.4 Nano wins for efficiency on standard long-context multimodal tasks.
GPT-5.4 Nano vs Grok 4.20: side by side
| Spec | GPT-5.4 Nano | Grok 4.20 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | 38.2 | 37 | GPT-5.4 Nano |
| Output speed | 157 t/s | 132 t/s | GPT-5.4 Nano |
| Output price | $1.25/1M | $2.50/1M | GPT-5.4 Nano |
| Context | 400K | 2000K | Grok 4.20 |
| Params | — | — | Tie |
| Provider | OpenAI | xAI | Tie |
Detailed analysis
Intelligence
Winner: GPT-5.4 NanoGPT-5.4 Nano scores 38.2 on the intelligence index compared to Grok 4.20's 37. This gives it a measurable edge on complex multimodal reasoning. Both models share the same modality constraints.
Speed & Pricing
Winner: GPT-5.4 NanoGPT-5.4 Nano delivers 156.98 tokens per second at $1.25 per million tokens. Grok 4.20 runs at 132.31 t/s and costs $2.5 per million tokens. The Nano model is both faster and half the price.
Context Window
Winner: Grok 4.20Grok 4.20 supports a 2 million token context, five times larger than GPT-5.4 Nano's 400k tokens. This advantage applies directly to very large file and document workloads. Larger contexts may increase latency as noted in its limitations.
Multimodal Capabilities
Winner: TieBoth models natively handle text, image, and file inputs with no audio or video support. Grok 4.20 emphasizes single-model integration while GPT-5.4 Nano highlights flexibility for long-context file and image tasks.
GPT-5.4 Nano
Pros
- +Very large 400k token context
- +Handles file, image, and text inputs
- +Multimodal flexibility
Cons
- –Nano size may limit depth on complex tasks
- –No audio or video modalities
Grok 4.20
Pros
- +Handles extremely large contexts up to 2M tokens
- +Native support for text, image, and file inputs
- +Multimodal integration in a single model
Cons
- –No audio or video modality support
- –Very large context can increase latency
- –Performance depends on input quality and structure
Summary: GPT-5.4 Nano vs Grok 4.20
Choose Grok 4.20 when maximum context length is essential. Select GPT-5.4 Nano for higher intelligence, faster speeds, and lower cost on typical multimodal workloads. The decision hinges on whether 2M tokens or efficiency metrics matter most.
Frequently asked questions
GPT-5.4 Nano is better for most users due to higher intelligence, faster speed, and lower price, while Grok 4.20 is better only when 2M token context is required.