GPT-4o vs. GPT-4.1: All the differences and why they do different things

In recent months, many users have wondered which model to choose between GPT-4o and GPT-4.1, and the answer has never been as clear as it is now.

In 2024, OpenAI introduced GPT-4o, presenting it as the new “universal” model for ChatGPT: capable of handling text, images, voice, and even real-time conversations. A few months later, in spring 2025, the GPT-4.1 models arrived (in the “standard,” “mini,” and “nano” versions), mainly designed for those developing large-scale applications or who need more predictable performance, higher speed, and reduced costs. This led to confusion: if GPT-4o seems “more powerful,” why does GPT-4.1 exist, and when is it worth using?

The recent history of the models: evolution and specialization

When GPT-4o became available to everyone, many thought it would replace every previous version. In reality, the arrival of GPT-4.1 marked a clear division between what regular users need and what developers and companies using the API intensively require. GPT-4o remained the flagship model on ChatGPT (web, mobile, and desktop versions), offering multimodal capabilities that no other model had ever brought to the consumer market before. GPT-4.1, on the other hand, was designed from the outset to be efficient, economical, and stable: a “precision tool” meant to work with huge datasets, process entire code repositories or lengthy documents, and ensure predictable costs even for those handling millions of queries each day.

The main features of GPT-4o today: the model for those who want everything at once

GPT-4o stands out for its ability to work with text, images, and audio in a fully integrated way. You just need to upload a photo, a PDF, or an audio file to receive detailed responses, summaries, data analyses, or visual explanations in a few seconds. The voice functions, now available in “Advanced Voice” mode, also allow for real-time, bidirectional conversations, with natural voices and quick understanding of very complex questions. All of this is available both in the free version (with some daily limits) and, without restrictions, in ChatGPT Plus, Team, Pro, and Enterprise versions.

From a technical perspective, GPT-4o has a context window of 128,000 tokens, which allows the analysis of dozens of pages of text at a time or discussion over large amounts of data without losing track. The model was trained up to October 2023, making it perfect for those working with not-too-recent materials but wanting to leverage all the AI capabilities integrated into the ChatGPT UI.

What GPT-4.1 offers instead: infinite memory, low costs, and output stability

GPT-4.1 is aimed at a different audience: developers, businesses, integrators—anyone needing to manage huge workflows without sacrificing output quality. The real revolution of GPT-4.1 is the context window of up to 1 million tokens, available on the API (“large” mode), which makes it possible to work on entire document archives, complete code repositories, contracts hundreds of pages long, without having to manually split the material. Response stability has increased significantly compared to GPT-4o: so-called “random edits”—meaning random changes in the diff between one response and another with the same input—have dropped below 2%, compared to 9% for GPT-4o.

In terms of cost, GPT-4.1 (especially its mini and nano versions) was launched at a price up to 83% lower than GPT-4o, making mass use in production and autonomous agents sustainable. The model is trained up to June 2024, so it has access to more recent data. In the ChatGPT UI, the “mini” version is available as an extra model or as a free fallback, but it’s still limited to 128k tokens and doesn’t offer all the functions of GPT-4o.

Multimodality, voice, and advanced tools: the features that still divide the two worlds

A key distinguishing factor is multimodality and the use of voice. Only GPT-4o integrates, in all its ChatGPT versions, the ability to analyze images, documents, and audio files seamlessly, in addition to offering next-generation voice conversations. GPT-4.1, through API, accepts text and image inputs but does not handle voice. The mini version of GPT-4.1 in the ChatGPT UI now allows the use of the new Advanced Voice, but only partially, and does not have file upload, advanced data analysis, or integrated web search features.

When it makes sense to choose GPT-4o and when GPT-4.1: practical cases of real-world use

If the goal is to work interactively, analyze PDFs or images on the fly, use voice, or experiment with the most innovative ChatGPT features, GPT-4o is the obvious choice. Those who need automation, want to reduce API usage costs, need to process huge archives, or require a truly extended context memory should consider GPT-4.1 (especially the mini version for the best price-performance ratio).

For example, a developer who needs to integrate an intelligent assistant into a SaaS product and handle hundreds of thousands of requests per day will opt for GPT-4.1 mini or nano to keep costs under control and leverage the larger context window. A user working with documents, voice conversations, or visual creativity tasks will find all the ready-made features in GPT-4o, without needing to use APIs or external tools.

Updates, availability, and price: what you need to know to avoid surprises

As of today (July 2025), API prices for GPT-4.1 are significantly lower than for GPT-4o: $2 per 1M tokens input and $8 per 1M tokens output in the standard version; the mini and nano versions reach $0.40/$1.60 and $0.10/$0.40 per input/output, figures confirmed in recent weeks. The knowledge base for GPT-4.1 is updated to June 2024, while GPT-4o is still at October 2023. The mini versions of 4.1 are available in the ChatGPT UI but with reduced features compared to the “omni” model.

It’s also worth noting that OpenAI frequently updates models and pricing: anyone developing at scale should always consult the official changelog and documentation before releasing a project to production.

The real difference today is between the “all-in-one” and the “precision specialist”

This is not just a simple evolution: GPT-4o and GPT-4.1 are today tools designed for different uses, meeting different needs. GPT-4o is the perfect model for those who want the ultimate multimodal experience and all features integrated into ChatGPT, without worrying too much about costs or automation. GPT-4.1 is the best choice for those seeking extended memory, low costs, and reliable performance in APIs and software agents, at the expense of some advanced UI functions.

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