Code Davinci 001 vs GPT-4 Vision Preview
Code Davinci 001 (2021) and GPT-4 Vision Preview (2023) compare a coding-specialized model against a standalone API model. Code Davinci 001 ships a not-yet-sourced context window, while GPT-4 Vision Preview ships a 128k-token context window. This page treats the result as workflow and deployment fit, not a universal model winner.
Treat this as a product-type comparison: Code Davinci 001 is coding-specialized model, while GPT-4 Vision Preview is standalone API model. Choose based on workflow fit before reading any benchmark or price row as decisive.
Decision scorecard
Local evidence first| Signal | Code Davinci 001 | GPT-4 Vision Preview |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | Coding-specialized model | Standalone API model |
| Best for | custom coding agents and code generation | multimodal apps |
| Decision fit | Coding | Coding, Agents, and Long context |
| Context window | — | 128k |
| Cheapest output | - | $40/1M tokens |
| Provider routes | 0 tracked | 1 tracked |
| Shared benchmarks | 0 rows | 0 rows |
Decision tradeoffs
- Local decision data tags Code Davinci 001 for Coding.
- GPT-4 Vision Preview has the larger context window for long prompts, retrieval packs, or transcript analysis.
- GPT-4 Vision Preview has broader tracked provider coverage for fallback and procurement flexibility.
- GPT-4 Vision Preview uniquely exposes Vision, Multimodal, and Code execution in local model data.
- Local decision data tags GPT-4 Vision Preview for Coding, Agents, and Long context.
Monthly cost at traffic
Estimate token spend from the cheapest tracked input and output route or tier on this page.
Code Davinci 001
Unavailable
No complete token price in local provider data
GPT-4 Vision Preview
$18,000
Cheapest tracked route/tier: Azure OpenAI
Cost delta unavailable until both models have sourced input and output token prices.
Switch friction
- No overlapping tracked provider route is sourced for Code Davinci 001 and GPT-4 Vision Preview; plan for SDK, billing, or endpoint changes.
- GPT-4 Vision Preview adds Vision, Multimodal, and Code execution in local capability data.
- No overlapping tracked provider route is sourced for GPT-4 Vision Preview and Code Davinci 001; plan for SDK, billing, or endpoint changes.
- Check replacement coverage for Vision, Multimodal, and Code execution before moving production traffic.
Specs
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2021-07-01 | 2023-11-06 |
| Context window | — | 128k |
| Parameters | — | 1.76T (8x222B MoE)* |
| Architecture | decoder only | mixture of experts |
| License | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Openness | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Commercial use | Commercial use with conditions | Commercial use with conditions |
| Knowledge cutoff | - | 2023-04 |
Pricing and availability
| Pricing attribute | Code Davinci 001 | GPT-4 Vision Preview |
|---|---|---|
| Input price | - | $10/1M tokens |
| Output price | - | $40/1M tokens |
| Providers | - |
Capabilities
| Capability | Code Davinci 001 | GPT-4 Vision Preview |
|---|---|---|
| Vision | No | Yes |
| Multimodal | No | Yes |
| Reasoning | No | No |
| Function calling | No | No |
| Tool use | No | No |
| Structured outputs | No | No |
| Code execution | No | Yes |
| IDE integration | No | No |
| Computer use | No | No |
| Parallel agents | No | No |
Benchmarks
No shared benchmark rows are currently sourced for this pair.
Deep dive
The capability footprint differs most on vision: GPT-4 Vision Preview, multimodal input: GPT-4 Vision Preview, and code execution: GPT-4 Vision Preview. Both models share the core language-model surface, so the practical split is not just feature count. Use those differences to decide whether the page is about raw model quality, agentic coding support, multimodal ingestion, or predictable structured API behavior.
Pricing coverage is uneven: Code Davinci 001 has no token price sourced yet and GPT-4 Vision Preview has $10/1M input tokens. Provider availability is 0 tracked routes versus 1. Treat unknown pricing as an integration gap, then verify the route you will actually call before estimating production spend.
Choose Code Davinci 001 when coding workflow support are central to the workload. Choose GPT-4 Vision Preview when coding workflow support and broader provider choice are more important. For production, rerun your own prompts through the exact provider, region, and tool stack you plan to ship. This keeps the decision grounded in measurable tradeoffs instead of brand-level assumptions. It also helps separate model capability from provider packaging, which can change cost and latency.
FAQ
Is Code Davinci 001 or GPT-4 Vision Preview open source?
Code Davinci 001 is listed under Proprietary. GPT-4 Vision Preview is listed under Proprietary. License labels affect whether you can self-host, redistribute weights, or rely only on hosted APIs, so confirm the upstream license before deployment.
Which is better for vision, Code Davinci 001 or GPT-4 Vision Preview?
GPT-4 Vision Preview has the clearer documented vision signal in this comparison. If vision is mission-critical, validate it against the provider endpoint because model-level support and API-level exposure can differ.
Which is better for multimodal input, Code Davinci 001 or GPT-4 Vision Preview?
GPT-4 Vision Preview has the clearer documented multimodal input signal in this comparison. If multimodal input is mission-critical, validate it against the provider endpoint because model-level support and API-level exposure can differ.
Which is better for code execution, Code Davinci 001 or GPT-4 Vision Preview?
GPT-4 Vision Preview has the clearer documented code execution signal in this comparison. If code execution is mission-critical, validate it against the provider endpoint because model-level support and API-level exposure can differ.
Where can I run Code Davinci 001 and GPT-4 Vision Preview?
Code Davinci 001 is available on the tracked providers still being sourced. GPT-4 Vision Preview is available on Azure OpenAI. Provider coverage can affect latency, region availability, compliance posture, and fallback options.
When should I pick Code Davinci 001 over GPT-4 Vision Preview?
Treat this as a product-type comparison: Code Davinci 001 is coding-specialized model, while GPT-4 Vision Preview is standalone API model. Choose based on workflow fit before reading any benchmark or price row as decisive. If your workload also depends on coding workflow support, start with Code Davinci 001; if it depends on coding workflow support, run the same evaluation with GPT-4 Vision Preview.
Continue comparing
Last reviewed: 2026-05-19. Data sourced from public model cards and provider documentation.