Provider guide
Best OpenAI Models in 2026
OpenAI still has a strong all-around lineup if you want one provider for coding, agents, and multimodal workflows. Here's how to pick between their current models without burning money on the wrong one.
| Model | Best for | Input $/M | Context | Coding | Tool Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPT-5.5 | Complex reasoning | $5 | 1M | 9.8 | 9.7 |
| GPT-5.4 | Coding | $2.5 | 1M | 9.8 | 9.7 |
| GPT-5.2-Codex | Coding-focused tasks | $1.75 | 400K | 9.7 | 9.4 |
| GPT-5.2 | General-purpose | $1.75 | 400K | 9.3 | 9 |
| GPT-OSS-120B | Self-hosted | $0 | 128K | 9.3 | 9 |
Fast picks
- GPT-5.5 for OpenAI's strongest complex reasoning and professional workflows
- GPT-5.4 for lower-cost frontier coding and agent workflows
- GPT-5.2-Codex if you only care about code-focused agentic tasks
- GPT-OSS-120B for local, private, self-hosted OpenAI open-weight usage