API cost decision in 10 seconds

Laguna XS.2 (free) vs 🔥GPT-5.5

Pick Laguna XS.2 (free) for lower cost; pick GPT-5.5 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-5.5 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 $20 for GPT-5.5, saving $20 (100% lower).

Cost-first pickLaguna XS.2 (free)
Context-first pickGPT-5.5
Sample savings$20100%
10x traffic gap$200

GPT-5.5 has more context, but Laguna XS.2 (free) saves $20 on the standard workload. At 10x that traffic, the same price gap is about $200. 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 pickLaguna XS.2 (free)GPT-5.5
Input-heavy / RAG 5M input + 500K output Laguna XS.2 (free) $0 $40
Balanced workload 1M input + 1M output Laguna XS.2 (free) $0 $35
Output-heavy chatbot 1M input + 5M output Laguna XS.2 (free) $0 $155
Cheaper inputLaguna XS.2 (free)$0 vs $5 / 1M
Cheaper outputLaguna XS.2 (free)$0 vs $30 / 1M
Larger contextGPT-5.5131.07K vs 1.05M
Sample workloadLaguna XS.2 (free)$0 vs $20

Estimate your workload cost

Your Workload Cost

Prices are normalized to USD per 1M tokens.
Laguna XS.2 (free)Calculating…Estimated API cost
GPT-5.5Calculating…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-5.5 offers the larger context window.

For a 1M input token plus 500K output token workload, the estimated API cost is $0 for Laguna XS.2 (free) and $20 for GPT-5.5.

Best Fit

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

Choose GPT-5.5 when you care most about larger context window.

Head-to-Head Specs
FeatureLaguna XS.2 (free)
(Poolside)		🔥GPT-5.5
(OpenAI)
Input Price
prompt tokens per 1M		$0$5
Completion Price
per 1M tokens		$0$30
Sample Workload Cost
1M input + 500K output		$0$20
Context Window131.07K1.05M
Release Date2026-04-282026-04-24
Popularity#17
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...

GPT-5.5

GPT-5.5 is OpenAI’s frontier model designed for complex professional workloads, building on GPT-5.4 with stronger reasoning, higher reliability, and improved token efficiency on hard tasks. It features a 1M+ token...

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 $20 for GPT-5.5, saving $20 (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-5.5A larger context window leaves more room for retrieved passages and source files.