API cost decision in 10 seconds

NewGPT-6 Astra vs Laguna XS.2 (free)

Pick Laguna XS.2 (free) for lower cost; pick GPT-6 Astra 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 Laguna XS.2 (free) for lower cost; pick GPT-6 Astra only if the larger context window matters more.

On the standard 1M input plus 500K output workload, Laguna XS.2 (free) is estimated at $0 vs $35 for GPT-6 Astra, saving $35 (100% lower).

Cost-first pickLaguna XS.2 (free)
Context-first pickGPT-6 Astra
Sample savings$35100%
10x traffic gap$350

GPT-6 Astra has more context, but Laguna XS.2 (free) saves $35 on the standard workload. At 10x that traffic, the same price gap is about $350. Use the calculator below to replace the sample workload with your own token volume.

Cost sensitivity

Workload Sensitivity

Same prices, different token mixes.

Laguna XS.2 (free) stays cheaper across input-heavy, balanced, and output-heavy sample workloads.

Workload shapeToken mixBetter pickGPT-6 AstraLaguna XS.2 (free)
Input-heavy / RAG 5M input + 500K output Laguna XS.2 (free) $75 $0
Balanced workload 1M input + 1M output Laguna XS.2 (free) $60 $0
Output-heavy chatbot 1M input + 5M output Laguna XS.2 (free) $260 $0
Cheaper inputLaguna XS.2 (free)$10 vs $0 / 1M
Cheaper outputLaguna XS.2 (free)$50 vs $0 / 1M
Larger contextGPT-6 Astra1.05M vs 262.14K
Sample workloadLaguna XS.2 (free)$35 vs $0

Estimate your workload cost

Your Workload Cost

Prices are normalized to USD per 1M tokens.
GPT-6 AstraCalculating…Estimated API cost
Laguna XS.2 (free)Calculating…Estimated API cost
Cheaper for this workloadCalculating…Difference: calculating…

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

Verdict

Laguna XS.2 (free) has the lower input price, Laguna XS.2 (free) has the lower output price, and GPT-6 Astra offers the larger context window.

For a 1M input token plus 500K output token workload, the estimated API cost is $35 for GPT-6 Astra and $0 for Laguna XS.2 (free).

Best Fit

Choose GPT-6 Astra when you care most about larger context window.

Choose Laguna XS.2 (free) when you care most about lower input-token price, and lower output-token price.

Head-to-Head Specs
FeatureNewGPT-6 Astra
(OpenAI)		Laguna XS.2 (free)
(Poolside)
Input Price
prompt tokens per 1M		$10$0
Completion Price
per 1M tokens		$50$0
Sample Workload Cost
1M input + 500K output		$35$0
Context Window1.05M262.14K
Release Date2026-09-042026-04-28
GPT-6 Astra

GPT-6 Astra is OpenAI's flagship model for demanding end-to-end work. It is suited for advanced analysis, software engineering, deep research, scientific work, and document creation, with particular strengths in long-horizon...

Laguna XS.2 (free)

Laguna XS.2 is the second-generation model in the XS size class from [Poolside](https://poolside.ai/), their efficient coding agent series. It combines tool calling and reasoning capabilities with a compact footprint, offering...

Use-Case Decision Matrix

Use caseBetter pickWhy
Budget-constrained productionLaguna XS.2 (free)On the standard 1M input plus 500K output workload, Laguna XS.2 (free) is estimated at $0 vs $35 for GPT-6 Astra, saving $35 (100% lower).
High-volume input processingLaguna XS.2 (free)Lower prompt-token price matters most when prompts or retrieved passages dominate the bill.
Long responses and chatbotsLaguna XS.2 (free)Lower output-token price matters most when assistants generate many completion tokens.
RAG or long-document workGPT-6 AstraA larger context window leaves more room for retrieved passages and source files.