Provider comparison · Updated 10 Oct 2026
Microsoft vs OpenAI
9 models vs 44 models
Microsoft is cheaper at the median: $0.35 against $2.00 per 1M input tokens across paid models, about 5.8× less. Its cheapest paid model, Phi 4 ($0.07), compares with gpt-oss-20b ($0.02) at OpenAI. Microsoft lists 9 models; OpenAI lists 44 models.
Ask an AI about this pageGChatGPTCClaudePPerplexityGeGeminiXGrok
Cite
Cite this page
ModelsAtlas. “Microsoft vs OpenAI”. Retrieved 10 Oct 2026. https://modelsatlas.com/compare-providers/microsoft/openai
At a glance
Standard tier, paid models · highlighted = better
Microsoft
OpenAI
Models listed
9
44
Cheapest input / 1M
$0.07
$0.02
Median in / out
$0.35 / $0.38
$2.00 / $10.00
Highest input / 1M
$0.62
$30.00
Largest context
66K
1.05M
Batch-tier models
0 of 9
20 of 44
Open-weight models
7
8
Free models
0
0
Vision models listed
1
3
Audio models listed
0
4
Costs for real workloads
Cheapest paid model from each provider that fits the job · monthly
Derived from standard-tier prices, 30 days. “Fits the job” means the context window holds the prompt and reply. Excludes batch and caching.
Cheapest model for each capability
Input / output per 1M
| Capability | Microsoft | OpenAI |
|---|---|---|
| 1M context | None listed | GPT-6 Luna $0.10 / $0.50 |
Line-up by price tier
Paid models · input per 1M
| Tier | Microsoft | OpenAI |
|---|---|---|
| Flagship $3+ | None listed | GPT-4 $30.00 o1 $15.00 GPT-6 Astra $10.00 GPT-4 Turbo $10.00 GPT-5 Image $10.00 +4 more |
| Mid $0.50–$3 | WizardLM-2 8x22B $0.62 | GPT-3.5 Turbo $0.50 o3 Mini High $1.10 o4 Mini $1.10 o4 Mini High $1.10 GPT-5 $1.25 +16 more |
| Budget under $0.50 | Phi 4 $0.07 | gpt-oss-20b $0.02 gpt-oss-120b $0.03 gpt-oss-safeguard-20b $0.08 GPT-6 Luna $0.10 GPT-5.6 Luna $0.20 |
| Open weights any price | None listed | None listed |
Questions
Is Microsoft or OpenAI cheaper?
Microsoft at the median: $0.35 against $2.00 for OpenAI per 1M input tokens. Median is across each provider's paid standard-tier models, so a provider with many small models can look cheaper than its flagship is.
Which provider has more models?
OpenAI lists more: Microsoft 9, OpenAI 44. Counts are models with a page in our catalogue.
Do both offer batch pricing?
Microsoft: no batch tier listed. OpenAI: 20 models list a batch tier. Where a model lists both, batch is a median 50% for OpenAI.
Which has the larger context window?
OpenAI has the larger: WizardLM-2 8x22B (66K tokens) at Microsoft, GPT-5.4 (1.05M) at OpenAI.
Does either provider offer open-weight models?
Microsoft: 7 open-weight models. OpenAI: 8 open-weight models.
Does either have free models?
Microsoft: none listed at no per-token charge. OpenAI: none.
Browse more providers
Keep going in your AI
Opens with this page as the source. We add nothing else to the prompt.
- Is Microsoft or OpenAI cheaper?
- Which provider has more models?
- Do both offer batch pricing?