GPT-5 Nano vs GPT-5 Pro
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 Nano if you need
- ✓cost-effective multimodal processing at $0.4 per million tokens
- ✓fast responses with a documented 170.06 t/s output speed
- ✓efficient handling of very large 400k contexts for extended documents
- ✓lightweight text, image, and file inputs without heavy computational overhead
Choose GPT-5 Pro if you need
- ✓strong integration of large-scale text, image, and file data
- ✓flexible reasoning over extended 400k contexts in document workflows
- ✓higher capability depth for complex multimodal tasks
- ✓suitable performance on specialized topics despite variable results
Verdict
GPT-5 Nano leads on measurable efficiency with a known 170.06 t/s speed, $0.4/M price, and 26.8 intelligence index while sharing the same 400k context as GPT-5 Pro. GPT-5 Pro is positioned for stronger multimodal integration and reasoning depth but at a $120/M cost with unknown speed and intelligence metrics. The choice hinges on whether lightweight document tasks or high-end capability justify the 300x price gap.
GPT-5 Nano vs GPT-5 Pro: side by side
| Spec | GPT-5 Nano | GPT-5 Pro | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | 26.8 | — | Tie |
| Output speed | 170 t/s | — | Tie |
| Output price | $0.40/1M | $120.00/1M | GPT-5 Nano |
| Context | 400K | 400K | Tie |
| Params | — | — | Tie |
| Type | Proprietary | Proprietary | Tie |
| Provider | OpenAI | OpenAI | Tie |
Detailed analysis
Pricing
Winner: GPT-5 NanoGPT-5 Nano costs $0.4 per million tokens while GPT-5 Pro costs $120 per million tokens. This creates a 300x price difference that favors Nano for any high-volume usage.
Speed
Winner: GPT-5 NanoGPT-5 Nano provides a documented output speed of 170.06 t/s. GPT-5 Pro has no reported speed metric, leaving Nano as the only option with confirmed fast performance.
Intelligence & Capability
Winner: GPT-5 ProGPT-5 Nano lists a 26.8 intelligence index and explicitly notes lower capability depth plus struggles with complex reasoning. GPT-5 Pro is described with stronger integration and flexible reasoning, indicating higher depth despite unknown index.
Context & Modalities
Winner: TieBoth models support 400000 context tokens and handle text, image, and file inputs. Strengths for both emphasize large-context multimodal document tasks with no differentiating facts provided.
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
GPT-5 Pro
Pros
- +Handles very large inputs across modalities
- +Strong integration of text, image, and file data
- +Suitable for document-heavy workflows
- +Flexible reasoning over extended context
Cons
- –No native real-time information access
- –Performance can vary on highly specialized topics
- –Higher computational cost with maximum context
Summary: GPT-5 Nano vs GPT-5 Pro
Select GPT-5 Nano when speed, cost, and efficient large-context document work are priorities. Choose GPT-5 Pro when maximum reasoning depth and advanced multimodal integration outweigh the substantially higher price.
Frequently asked questions
GPT-5 Nano is better for cost and speed; GPT-5 Pro is better for capability depth. The better choice depends on whether the task needs lightweight efficiency or advanced reasoning.