Provider comparison · Updated 10 Oct 2026
OpenAI vs Qwen (Alibaba)
44 models vs 80 models
Qwen (Alibaba) is cheaper at the median: $0.19 against $2.00 per 1M input tokens across paid models, about 11× less. Its cheapest paid model, Qwen3.7 Flash ($0.03), compares with gpt-oss-20b ($0.02) at OpenAI. OpenAI lists 44 models; Qwen (Alibaba) lists 80 models.
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Cite this page
ModelsAtlas. “OpenAI vs Qwen (Alibaba)”. Retrieved 10 Oct 2026. https://modelsatlas.com/compare-providers/openai/qwen
At a glance
Standard tier, paid models · highlighted = better
OpenAI
Qwen (Alibaba)
Models listed
44
80
Cheapest input / 1M
$0.02
$0.03
Median in / out
$2.00 / $10.00
$0.19 / $0.80
Highest input / 1M
$30.00
$4.00
Largest context
1.05M
1.05M
Batch-tier models
20 of 44
0 of 80
Open-weight models
8
40
Free models
0
0
Vision models listed
3
0
Audio models listed
4
0
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 | OpenAI | Qwen (Alibaba) |
|---|---|---|
| 1M context | GPT-6 Luna $0.10 / $0.50 | Qwen3.7 Flash $0.03 / $0.13 |
| Open weights | None listed | Qwen2.5 7B Instruct $0.10 / $0.20 |
| Extended thinking | None listed | Qwen3 235B A22B Instruct 2507 $0.09 / $0.55 |
Line-up by price tier
Paid models · input per 1M
| Tier | OpenAI | Qwen (Alibaba) |
|---|---|---|
| Flagship $3+ | GPT-4 $30.00 o1 $15.00 GPT-6 Astra $10.00 GPT-4 Turbo $10.00 GPT-5 Image $10.00 +4 more | Qwen3.8 Max Prime $4.00 |
| Mid $0.50–$3 | 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 | Qwen3.5 397B A17B $0.55 Qwen2.5 Coder 32B Instruct $0.66 Qwen2.5 VL 72B Instruct $0.80 Qwen3.8 2.4T A95B $2.00 |
| Budget under $0.50 | 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 | Qwen3.7 Flash $0.03 Qwen3.5-Flash $0.07 Qwen3 Coder 30B A3B Instruct $0.07 Qwen3 32B $0.08 Qwen3.5-35B-A3B $0.08 +25 more |
| Open weights any price | None listed | Qwen2.5 7B Instruct $0.10 Qwen3.6 35B A3B $0.10 Qwen3 14B $0.12 Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct $0.25 Qwen3.6 27B $0.32 |
Questions
Is OpenAI or Qwen (Alibaba) cheaper?
Qwen (Alibaba) at the median: $0.19 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?
Qwen (Alibaba) lists more: OpenAI 44, Qwen (Alibaba) 80. Counts are models with a page in our catalogue.
Do both offer batch pricing?
OpenAI: 20 models list a batch tier. Qwen (Alibaba): no batch tier listed. Where a model lists both, batch is a median 50% of standard for OpenAI.
Which has the larger context window?
OpenAI has the larger: GPT-5.4 (1.05M tokens) at OpenAI, Qwen3.8 2.4T A95B (1.05M) at Qwen (Alibaba).
Does either provider offer open-weight models?
OpenAI: 8 open-weight models. Qwen (Alibaba): 40 open-weight models.
Does either have free models?
OpenAI: none listed at no per-token charge. Qwen (Alibaba): none.
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Keep going in your AI
Opens with this page as the source. We add nothing else to the prompt.
- Is OpenAI or Qwen (Alibaba) cheaper?
- Which provider has more models?
- Do both offer batch pricing?