OpenAI API review

The OpenAI API ranks first because it covers the most ground from one account. The pricing page lists four GPT-6 tiers: Astra at $10 input and $50 output per 1M tokens for the hardest work, GPT-6.1 Sol at $2 and $10 for coding and agents, GPT-6.1 Terra at $1 and $5 for visual reasoning and computer use, and GPT-6 Luna at $0.10 and $0.50 for high-volume tasks. The same platform sells image generation, realtime voice, live transcription and translation, plus tools such as web search and hosted containers, so a team can build a whole product without a second vendor. Batch processing cuts input and output prices by 50% for jobs that can wait up to 24 hours, and cached input is billed at a tenth of the input rate or less. The trade-offs are cost at the top end and the lack of a listed free tier. Teams with strict data location needs also pay a 10% uplift for regional processing.

Who it is for

Developers who want one provider covering text, image, realtime voice and transcription, from a $0.10 small model up to a frontier model.

Price

Pay per token; GPT-6 Luna from $0.10 per 1M input tokens.

GPT-6 Luna Our most efficient model for focused, high-volume tasks. Price Input: $0.10 / 1M tokens
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 7, 2026.

Key features

• Four GPT-6 tiers on the pricing page, from GPT-6 Luna at $0.10 to GPT-6 Astra at $10 per 1M input tokens
• Batch processing at 50% off and cached input billed at a fraction of the input rate
• Realtime voice models and speech-to-text priced per minute
• Built-in tools including web search at $10 per 1,000 calls and hosted containers
• Data residency processing for a 10% uplift

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: The widest single-vendor model range here, covering text, image, voice and transcription
• Strength: GPT-6 Luna matches the lowest frontier-lab input price on this list at $0.10 per 1M tokens
• Strength: Batch at 50% off makes offline jobs cheaper without changing models
• Weakness: No permanent free API tier is listed on the pricing page
• Weakness: GPT-6 Astra output costs $50 per 1M tokens
• Weakness: Regional data residency adds a 10% surcharge

Key facts

• Cheapest text model: GPT-6 Luna, $0.10 input and $0.50 output per 1M tokens
• Flagship: GPT-6 Astra, $10 input and $50 output per 1M tokens
• Batch discount: 50% on inputs and outputs

Where it ranks

OpenAI API is No. 1 in our Best LLM APIs verdict.