GPT-5.2 Codex vs Grok 4.3
GPT-5.2 Codex (2025) and Grok 4.3 (2026) compare a coding-specialized model against a standalone API model. GPT-5.2 Codex ships a not-yet-sourced context window, while Grok 4.3 ships a 1m-token context window. On pricing, GPT-5.2 Codex costs $1.75/1M input tokens; Grok 4.3 ranges from $1.25 to $2.50/1M 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 Grok 4.3 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 | Grok 4.3 |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | Coding-specialized model | Standalone API model |
| Best for | custom coding agents, code generation, and tool loops | reasoning-heavy apps, multimodal apps, and tool-calling agents |
| Decision fit | Coding, Agents, and Vision | RAG, Agents, and Long context |
| Context window | — | 1m |
| Cheapest output | $14/1M tokens | $2.50/1M tokens |
| Provider routes | 1 tracked | 4 tracked |
| Shared benchmarks | 0 rows | 0 rows |
Decision tradeoffs
- GPT-5.2 Codex uniquely exposes Code execution in local model data.
- Local decision data tags GPT-5.2 Codex for Coding, Agents, and Vision.
- Grok 4.3 has the larger context window for long prompts, retrieval packs, or transcript analysis.
- Grok 4.3 has the lower cheapest tracked output price at $2.50/1M tokens.
- Grok 4.3 has broader tracked provider coverage for fallback and procurement flexibility.
- Grok 4.3 uniquely exposes Structured outputs in local model data.
- Local decision data tags Grok 4.3 for RAG, Agents, and Long context.
Monthly cost at traffic
Estimate token spend from the cheapest tracked input and output route or tier on this page.
GPT-5.2 Codex
$4,900
Cheapest tracked route/tier: Vercel AI Gateway
Grok 4.3
$1,625
Cheapest tracked route/tier: xAI Console
Estimated monthly gap: $3,275. Batch, cache, alternate speed tiers, and negotiated pricing are excluded from this local estimate.
Switch friction
- Provider overlap exists on Vercel AI Gateway; start route-level A/B tests there.
- Grok 4.3 is $11.50/1M tokens lower on cheapest tracked output pricing before cache, batch, or negotiated discounts.
- Check replacement coverage for Code execution before moving production traffic.
- Grok 4.3 adds Structured outputs in local capability data.
- Provider overlap exists on Vercel AI Gateway; start route-level A/B tests there.
- GPT-5.2 Codex is $11.50/1M tokens higher on cheapest tracked output pricing, so quality gains need to justify the spend.
- Check replacement coverage for Structured outputs before moving production traffic.
- GPT-5.2 Codex adds Code execution in local capability data.
Specs
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2025-12-18 | 2026-05-06 |
| Context window | — | 1m |
| Parameters | — | ~0.5T |
| Architecture | decoder only | - |
| License | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Knowledge cutoff | 2025-08 | 2024-11 |
Pricing and availability
| Pricing attribute | GPT-5.2 Codex | Grok 4.3 |
|---|---|---|
| Input price | $1.75/1M tokens |
|
| Output price | $14/1M tokens |
|
| Providers |
Capabilities
| Capability | GPT-5.2 Codex | Grok 4.3 |
|---|---|---|
| Vision | Yes | Yes |
| Multimodal | Yes | Yes |
| Reasoning | Yes | Yes |
| Function calling | Yes | Yes |
| Tool use | Yes | Yes |
| Structured outputs | No | Yes |
| Code execution | Yes | No |
| 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 structured outputs: Grok 4.3 and code execution: GPT-5.2 Codex. 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 Grok 4.3 lists tiered pricing: 0-200,001t is $1.25/1M input and $2.50/1M output; 200,001t+ is $2.50/1M input and $5/1M output. A 70/30 input-output blend puts Grok 4.3 lower by about $3.80 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 are central to the workload. Choose Grok 4.3 when vision-heavy evaluation, lower cheapest-tier input-token cost, 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 Grok 4.3?
GPT-5.2 Codex lists $1.75/1M input and $14/1M output tokens on the cheapest tracked provider. Grok 4.3 lists tiered pricing: 0-200,001t is $1.25/1M input and $2.50/1M output; 200,001t+ is $2.50/1M input and $5/1M 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 Grok 4.3 open source?
GPT-5.2 Codex is listed under Proprietary. Grok 4.3 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 Grok 4.3?
Both GPT-5.2 Codex and Grok 4.3 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 Grok 4.3?
Both GPT-5.2 Codex and Grok 4.3 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 Grok 4.3?
Both GPT-5.2 Codex and Grok 4.3 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 Grok 4.3?
GPT-5.2 Codex is available on Vercel AI Gateway. Grok 4.3 is available on xAI Console, OpenRouter, Microsoft Foundry, and Vercel AI Gateway. Provider coverage can affect latency, region availability, compliance posture, and fallback options.
Continue comparing
Last reviewed: 2026-05-25. Data sourced from public model cards and provider documentation.