GPT-5 Mini vs Llama 4 405B
GPT-5 shrunk for scale. Meanwhile, llama 4 405b: open-weights heavyweight. self-host or run anywhere.
Side-by-side
Specs
| Dimension | GPT-5 Mini | Llama 4 405B |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | OpenAI | Meta |
| Released | 2025-08 | 2025-07 |
| Context window | 200K | ✓256K |
| Output max | ✓32K | 16K |
| Input /M | ✓$0.40 | $2.70 |
| Output /M | ✓$1.60 | $2.70 |
| Modalities | text, image | text, image |
| Open weights | no | ✓yes |
Scorecard
Dimension-by-dimension
GPT-5 Mini
Llama 4 405B
reasoning
8.0
8.0
coding
8.0
8.0
writing
7.0
8.0
speed
9.0
6.0
value
10.0
8.0
Verdict
Which wins, by use case
| Use case | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| coding | GPT-5 Mini | a coin flip on our weighted coding score |
| writing | Llama 4 405B | a coin flip on our weighted writing score |
| chat | GPT-5 Mini | a decisive lead on our weighted chat score |
| agents | GPT-5 Mini | a coin flip on our weighted agents score |
| summarization | GPT-5 Mini | a decisive lead on our weighted summarization score |
| translation | GPT-5 Mini | a clear edge on our weighted translation score |
| reasoning | GPT-5 Mini | a coin flip on our weighted reasoning score |
| research | GPT-5 Mini | a coin flip on our weighted research score |
| vision and multimodal | GPT-5 Mini | a coin flip on our weighted vision score |
| Cheapest AI models for bulk workloads | GPT-5 Mini | a decisive lead on our weighted cheap-bulk score |
Bottom line
Our take
Pick GPT-5 Mini if you need: cheap per token, fast first-token.
Pick Llama 4 405B if you need: open weights — self-host, no vendor lock-in.
At a 500M-input / 150M-output monthly volume, GPT-5 Mini costs roughly $440 vs Llama 4 405B at $1755. Use our calculator to plug in your own numbers.
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