API cost decision in 10 seconds
GPT-5.4 Image 2 vs 🔥Claude Opus 4.6
Pick GPT-5.4 Image 2 for lower cost; pick Claude Opus 4.6 only if the larger context window matters more.
Pricing data updated:
Prices normalized to USD per 1M tokens
Sample workload: 1M input + 500K output
Budget verdict
Pick GPT-5.4 Image 2 for lower cost; pick Claude Opus 4.6 only if the larger context window matters more.
On the standard 1M input plus 500K output workload, GPT-5.4 Image 2 is estimated at $15.5 vs $17.5 for Claude Opus 4.6, saving $2 (11.4% lower).
Cost-first pickGPT-5.4 Image 2
Context-first pickClaude Opus 4.6
Sample savings$211.4%
10x traffic gap$20
Claude Opus 4.6 has more context, but GPT-5.4 Image 2 saves $2 on the standard workload. At 10x that traffic, the same price gap is about $20. Use the calculator below to replace the sample workload with your own token volume.
Cost sensitivity
Workload Sensitivity
Cost winner changes by workload shape: input-heavy / RAG favors Claude Opus 4.6, balanced workload favors GPT-5.4 Image 2, and output-heavy chatbot favors GPT-5.4 Image 2.
| Workload shape | Token mix | Better pick | GPT-5.4 Image 2 | Claude Opus 4.6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Input-heavy / RAG | 5M input + 500K output | Claude Opus 4.6 | $47.5 | $37.5 |
| Balanced workload | 1M input + 1M output | GPT-5.4 Image 2 | $23 | $30 |
| Output-heavy chatbot | 1M input + 5M output | GPT-5.4 Image 2 | $83 | $130 |
Estimate your workload cost
Your Workload Cost
This estimate uses normalized public API pricing per 1M tokens. It is a planning aid, not a billing quote. Verify provider pricing, limits, and terms before production use.
Quick Decision
Claude Opus 4.6 has the lower input price, GPT-5.4 Image 2 has the lower output price, and Claude Opus 4.6 offers the larger context window.
For a 1M input token plus 500K output token workload, the estimated API cost is $15.5 for GPT-5.4 Image 2 and $17.5 for Claude Opus 4.6.
Choose GPT-5.4 Image 2 when you care most about lower output-token price.
Choose Claude Opus 4.6 when you care most about lower input-token price, and larger context window.
| Feature | GPT-5.4 Image 2 (OpenAI) | 🔥Claude Opus 4.6 (Anthropic) |
|---|---|---|
| Input Price prompt tokens per 1M | $8 | $5 |
| Completion Price per 1M tokens | $15 | $25 |
| Sample Workload Cost 1M input + 500K output | $15.5 | $17.5 |
| Context Window | 272K | 1M |
| Release Date | 2026-04-21 | 2026-02-04 |
| Popularity | #18 |
[GPT-5.4](https://openrouter.ai/openai/gpt-5.4) Image 2 combines OpenAI's GPT-5.4 model with state-of-the-art image generation capabilities from GPT Image 2. It enables rich multimodal workflows, allowing users to seamlessly move between reasoning, coding, and...
Opus 4.6 is Anthropic’s strongest model for coding and long-running professional tasks. It is built for agents that operate across entire workflows rather than single prompts, making it especially effective...
Use-Case Decision Matrix
| Use case | Better pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget-constrained production | GPT-5.4 Image 2 | On the standard 1M input plus 500K output workload, GPT-5.4 Image 2 is estimated at $15.5 vs $17.5 for Claude Opus 4.6, saving $2 (11.4% lower). |
| High-volume input processing | Claude Opus 4.6 | Lower prompt-token price matters most when prompts or retrieved passages dominate the bill. |
| Long responses and chatbots | GPT-5.4 Image 2 | Lower output-token price matters most when assistants generate many completion tokens. |
| RAG or long-document work | Claude Opus 4.6 | A larger context window leaves more room for retrieved passages and source files. |