GPT-5.2 Codex vs GPT-5.5

Name: GPT-5.2 Codex
Author: OpenAI

GPT-5.2 Codex (2025) and GPT-5.5 (2026) compare a coding-specialized model against a standalone API model. GPT-5.2 Codex ships a not-yet-sourced context window, while GPT-5.5 ships a 1.05m-token context window. On pricing, GPT-5.2 Codex costs $1.75/1M input tokens; GPT-5.5 ranges from $5 to $8/1M input tokens by tier. This page treats the result as workflow and deployment fit, not a universal model winner.

Treat this as a product-type comparison: GPT-5.2 Codex is coding-specialized model, while GPT-5.5 is standalone API model. Choose based on workflow fit before reading any benchmark or price row as decisive.

Decision scorecard

Local evidence first

Signal	GPT-5.2 Codex	GPT-5.5	How to read it
Product type	Coding-specialized model	Standalone API model	Read downstream rows through the product-type lens before comparing benchmarks, prices, or provider availability.
Best for	custom coding agents, code generation, and tool loops	reasoning-heavy apps, multimodal apps, and tool-calling agents	Use-case synthesis from product type, capability flags, context, and provider data.
Decision fit	Coding, Agents, and Vision	Coding, RAG, and Agents	Primary workload tags from local decision data.
Context window	—	1.05m	Higher is better when prompts, retrieval chunks, or transcripts are large.
Cheapest output	$14/1M tokens	$30/1M tokens	Cheapest tracked provider route; verify your exact region and tier.
Provider routes	1 tracked	4 tracked	Broader coverage can reduce vendor lock-in and fallback risk.
Shared benchmarks	0 shared	0 shared	No shared benchmark scores are available for this pair yet.

Decision tradeoffs

Choose GPT-5.2 Codex when...

GPT-5.2 Codex has the lower cheapest tracked output price at $14/1M tokens.
Local decision data tags GPT-5.2 Codex for Coding, Agents, and Vision.

Choose GPT-5.5 when...

GPT-5.5 has the larger context window for long prompts, retrieval packs, or transcript analysis.
GPT-5.5 has broader tracked provider coverage for fallback and procurement flexibility.
GPT-5.5 uniquely exposes Structured outputs in local model data.
Local decision data tags GPT-5.5 for Coding, RAG, and Agents.

Monthly cost at traffic

Estimate token spend from the cheapest tracked input and output route or tier on this page.

Lower estimate GPT-5.2 Codex

Requests / monthInput tokens / requestOutput tokens / request

GPT-5.2 Codex

$4,900

Cheapest tracked route/tier: Vercel AI Gateway

GPT-5.5

$11,500

Cheapest tracked route/tier: OpenAI API 0-272K input tokens

Estimated monthly gap: $6,600. Batch, cache, alternate speed tiers, and negotiated pricing are excluded from this local estimate.

Switch friction

GPT-5.2 Codex -> GPT-5.5

Provider overlap exists on Vercel AI Gateway; start route-level A/B tests there.
GPT-5.5 is $16/1M tokens higher on cheapest tracked output pricing, so quality gains need to justify the spend.
GPT-5.5 adds Structured outputs in local capability data.

GPT-5.5 -> GPT-5.2 Codex

Provider overlap exists on Vercel AI Gateway; start route-level A/B tests there.
GPT-5.2 Codex is $16/1M tokens lower on cheapest tracked output pricing before cache, batch, or negotiated discounts.
Check replacement coverage for Structured outputs before moving production traffic.

Specs

Specification	GPT-5.2 Codex OpenAI	GPT-5.5 OpenAI
Released	2025-12-18	2026-04-23
Context window	—	1.05m
Parameters	—	—
Architecture	Decoder Only	Decoder Only
License	Proprietary	Proprietary
Openness	Proprietary	Proprietary
Commercial use	Commercial use with conditions	Commercial use with conditions
Knowledge cutoff	2025-08	2025-12

Pricing and availability

Pricing attribute	GPT-5.2 Codex	GPT-5.5
Input price	$1.75/1M tokens	0-272K input tokens $5/1M tokens Standard GPT-5.5 token pricing before the long-context surcharge threshold. 272K+ input tokens $8/1M tokens Long-context surcharge applies above 272K input tokens for the full session.
Output price	$14/1M tokens	0-272K input tokens $30/1M tokens Standard GPT-5.5 token pricing before the long-context surcharge threshold. 272K+ input tokens $36/1M tokens Long-context surcharge applies above 272K input tokens for the full session.
Providers	Vercel AI Gateway	OpenAI API OpenRouter Vercel AI Gateway AWS Bedrock

Capabilities

Capability	GPT-5.2 Codex	GPT-5.5
Vision	Yes	Yes
Multimodal	Yes	Yes
Reasoning	Yes	Yes
Function calling	Yes	Yes
Tool use	Yes	Yes
Structured outputs	No	Yes
Code execution	Yes	Yes
IDE integration	No	No
Computer use	No	No
Parallel agents	No	No

Benchmarks

No shared benchmark scores are currently available for this pair.

Deep dive

The capability footprint differs most on structured outputs: GPT-5.5. Both models share vision, multimodal input, reasoning mode, and function calling, 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.

For cost, GPT-5.2 Codex lists $1.75/1M input and $14/1M output tokens on the cheapest tracked provider, while GPT-5.5 lists tiered pricing: 0-272K input tokens is $5/1M input and $30/1M output; 272K+ input tokens is $8/1M input and $36/1M output. A 70/30 input-output blend puts GPT-5.2 Codex lower by about $7.08 per million blended tokens. For tiered rows, this cheapest-track view can understate interactive or fast-lane spend, so compare the tier you will actually use. Availability is 1 providers versus 4, so concentration risk also matters.

Choose GPT-5.2 Codex when coding workflow support and lower input-token cost are central to the workload. Choose GPT-5.5 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.

FAQ

Which is cheaper, GPT-5.2 Codex or GPT-5.5?

GPT-5.2 Codex lists $1.75/1M input and $14/1M output tokens on the cheapest tracked provider. GPT-5.5 lists tiered pricing: 0-272K input tokens is $5/1M input and $30/1M output; 272K+ input tokens is $8/1M input and $36/1M output. Compare the tier you will actually use; cheap async pricing can overstate savings for interactive workflows. Provider discounts or batch pricing can still change the final bill.

Is GPT-5.2 Codex or GPT-5.5 open source?

GPT-5.2 Codex is listed under Proprietary. GPT-5.5 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, GPT-5.2 Codex or GPT-5.5?

Both GPT-5.2 Codex and GPT-5.5 expose vision. The better choice depends on benchmark fit, context budget, pricing, and whether your provider route exposes the same capability surface. Use this as a quick comparison signal, then confirm the provider-specific limits before committing to production.

Which is better for multimodal input, GPT-5.2 Codex or GPT-5.5?

Both GPT-5.2 Codex and GPT-5.5 expose multimodal input. The better choice depends on benchmark fit, context budget, pricing, and whether your provider route exposes the same capability surface. Use this as a quick comparison signal, then confirm the provider-specific limits before committing to production.

Which is better for reasoning mode, GPT-5.2 Codex or GPT-5.5?

Both GPT-5.2 Codex and GPT-5.5 expose reasoning mode. The better choice depends on benchmark fit, context budget, pricing, and whether your provider route exposes the same capability surface. Use this as a quick comparison signal, then confirm the provider-specific limits before committing to production.

Where can I run GPT-5.2 Codex and GPT-5.5?

GPT-5.2 Codex is available on Vercel AI Gateway. GPT-5.5 is available on OpenAI API, OpenRouter, Vercel AI Gateway, and AWS Bedrock. Provider coverage can affect latency, region availability, compliance posture, and fallback options.

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Last reviewed: 2026-06-15. Data sourced from public model cards and provider documentation.

Both models

GPT-5.2 Codex GPT-5.5