LLM Reference

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
SignalGPT-5.2 CodexGrok 4.3
Product typeCoding-specialized modelStandalone API model
Best forcustom coding agents, code generation, and tool loopsreasoning-heavy apps, multimodal apps, and tool-calling agents
Decision fitCoding, Agents, and VisionRAG, Agents, and Long context
Context window1m
Cheapest output$14/1M tokens$2.50/1M tokens
Provider routes1 tracked4 tracked
Shared benchmarks0 rows0 rows

Decision tradeoffs

Choose GPT-5.2 Codex when...
  • 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.
Choose Grok 4.3 when...
  • 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.

Lower estimate Grok 4.3

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

GPT-5.2 Codex -> Grok 4.3
  • 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.
Grok 4.3 -> GPT-5.2 Codex
  • 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
Released2025-12-182026-05-06
Context window1m
Parameters~0.5T
Architecturedecoder only-
LicenseProprietaryProprietary
Knowledge cutoff2025-082024-11

Pricing and availability

Pricing attributeGPT-5.2 CodexGrok 4.3
Input price$1.75/1M tokens
0-200,001t
$1.25/1M tokens
200,001t+
$2.50/1M tokens
Output price$14/1M tokens
0-200,001t
$2.50/1M tokens
200,001t+
$5/1M tokens
Providers

Capabilities

CapabilityGPT-5.2 CodexGrok 4.3
VisionYesYes
MultimodalYesYes
ReasoningYesYes
Function callingYesYes
Tool useYesYes
Structured outputsNoYes
Code executionYesNo
IDE integrationNoNo
Computer useNoNo
Parallel agentsNoNo

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.