GPT-5.4 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 if you need
- ✓higher intelligence scores for complex reasoning tasks
- ✓strong document-level multimodal integration and workflows
- ✓seamless text-image-file handling in large but not extreme contexts
- ✓flexible prompting for advanced multimodal projects
Choose Grok 4.20 if you need
- ✓maximum context windows up to 2 million tokens
- ✓lowest output cost at $2.5 per million tokens
- ✓highest output speed of 184.15 tokens per second
- ✓simple native multimodal support in one model
Verdict
GPT-5.4 leads on intelligence (51.4 vs 37) and document-level multimodal workflows, while Grok 4.20 wins on raw context size (2M vs 1.05M tokens), speed (184.15 vs 156.68 t/s), and price ($2.5 vs $15 per 1M tokens). Both share identical modality limits and proprietary status with no audio or video support. The choice hinges on whether higher measured intelligence or larger/cheaper context matters most.
GPT-5.4 vs Grok 4.20: side by side
| Spec | GPT-5.4 | Grok 4.20 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | 51.4 | 37 | GPT-5.4 |
| Output speed | 157 t/s | 184 t/s | Grok 4.20 |
| Output price | $15.00/1M | $2.50/1M | Grok 4.20 |
| Context | 1050K | 2000K | Grok 4.20 |
| Params | — | — | Tie |
| Provider | OpenAI | xAI | Tie |
Detailed analysis
Intelligence
Winner: GPT-5.4GPT-5.4 scores 51.4 on the intelligence index compared to Grok 4.20's 37. This gap favors GPT-5.4 for tasks requiring stronger reasoning over multimodal inputs.
Speed & Cost
Winner: Grok 4.20Grok 4.20 delivers 184.15 t/s at $2.5 per million tokens versus GPT-5.4's 156.68 t/s at $15 per million. Both models incur extra latency from very large contexts.
Context Window
Winner: Grok 4.20Grok 4.20 supports up to 2 million tokens while GPT-5.4 is limited to 1.05 million. Both handle extremely large contexts but Grok's ceiling is double the size.
Multimodal Capabilities
Winner: TieBoth provide native text, image, and file support without audio or video. GPT-5.4 emphasizes document-level tasks while Grok 4.20 stresses single-model integration.
GPT-5.4
Pros
- +Handles extremely large contexts
- +Seamless text-image-file integration
- +Strong at document-level tasks
Cons
- –No native audio or video support
- –Large context can increase latency
- –May need careful prompting for complex tasks
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 vs Grok 4.20
Select GPT-5.4 when intelligence and document workflows are priorities. Choose Grok 4.20 for maximum context, speed, and lowest cost. The models are otherwise comparable on modalities and limitations.
Frequently asked questions
GPT-5.4 is stronger on intelligence while Grok 4.20 leads on context size, speed, and price; overall winner depends on the specific priority.