Model Comparison

GPT-4o mini vs GPT-5.6 LunaWhich is better in 2026?

GPT-5.6 Luna significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. GPT-4o mini is 8.6x cheaper per token.

Verdict: GPT-4o mini vs GPT-5.6 Luna — which is better?

GPT-4o mini (by OpenAI) and GPT-5.6 Luna (by OpenAI) are two of the AI models people compare most. Here is how they stack up on benchmarks, price and capabilities, and which one to pick in 2026.

GPT-4o mini outperforms in 0 benchmarks, while GPT-5.6 Luna is better at 1 benchmark (GPQA). GPT-5.6 Luna significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

On price, GPT-4o mini is roughly 8.6x cheaper per token on a blended 3:1 input/output basis, which adds up quickly at production volume.

GPT-5.6 Luna also accepts a larger context window (1,050,000 input tokens), making it the stronger choice for long documents and large codebases.

Choose GPT-4o mini if…

  • cost matters — it's about 8.6x cheaper per token

Choose GPT-5.6 Luna if…

  • you want the strongest raw capability — it leads on 1 of 1 shared benchmarks
  • you process long inputs — it offers a 1,050,000 token context window
  • you want the most recent training data — it shipped Jul 2026

Performance Benchmarks

Comparative analysis across standard metrics

1 benchmarks

GPT-4o mini outperforms in 0 benchmarks, while GPT-5.6 Luna is better at 1 benchmark (GPQA).

GPT-5.6 Luna significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

Sat Jul 18 2026 • llm-stats.com

Arena Performance

Human preference votes

Pricing Analysis

Price comparison per million tokens

GPT-4o mini costs less

For input processing, GPT-4o mini ($0.15/1M tokens) is 6.7x cheaper than GPT-5.6 Luna ($1.00/1M tokens).

For output processing, GPT-4o mini ($0.60/1M tokens) is 10.0x cheaper than GPT-5.6 Luna ($6.00/1M tokens).

In conclusion, GPT-5.6 Luna is more expensive than GPT-4o mini.*

* Using a 3:1 ratio of input to output tokens

Lowest available price from all providers
Sat Jul 18 2026 • llm-stats.com
OpenAI
GPT-4o mini
Input tokens$0.15
Output tokens$0.60
Best providerAzure
OpenAI
GPT-5.6 Luna
Input tokens$1.00
Output tokens$6.00
Best providerOpenAI
Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue→

Context Window

Maximum input and output token capacity

GPT-5.6 Luna accepts 1,050,000 input tokens compared to GPT-4o mini's 128,000 tokens. GPT-5.6 Luna can generate longer responses up to 128,000 tokens, while GPT-4o mini is limited to 16,384 tokens.

OpenAI
GPT-4o mini
Input128,000 tokens
Output16,384 tokens
OpenAI
GPT-5.6 Luna
Input1,050,000 tokens
Output128,000 tokens
Sat Jul 18 2026 • llm-stats.com

Input Capabilities

Supported data types and modalities

Both GPT-4o mini and GPT-5.6 Luna support multimodal inputs.

They are both capable of processing various types of data, offering versatility in application.

GPT-4o mini

Text
Images
Audio
Video

GPT-5.6 Luna

Text
Images
Audio
Video

License

Usage and distribution terms

Both models are licensed under proprietary licenses.

Both models have usage restrictions defined by their respective organizations.

GPT-4o mini

Proprietary

Closed source

GPT-5.6 Luna

Proprietary

Closed source

Release Timeline

When each model was launched

GPT-4o mini was released on 2024-07-18, while GPT-5.6 Luna was released on 2026-07-09.

GPT-5.6 Luna is 24 months newer than GPT-4o mini.

GPT-4o mini

Jul 18, 2024

2.0 years ago

GPT-5.6 Luna

Jul 9, 2026

1 weeks ago

2.0yr newer

Knowledge Cutoff

When training data ends

GPT-4o mini has a knowledge cutoff of 2023-10-01, while GPT-5.6 Luna has a cutoff of 2026-02-16.

GPT-5.6 Luna has more recent training data (up to 2026-02-16), making it potentially better informed about events through that date compared to GPT-4o mini (2023-10-01).

GPT-4o mini

Oct 2023

GPT-5.6 Luna

Feb 2026

2.3 yr newer

Provider Availability

GPT-4o mini is available from Azure. GPT-5.6 Luna is available from OpenAI.

GPT-4o mini

azure logo
Azure
Input Price:Input: $0.15/1MOutput Price:Output: $0.60/1M

GPT-5.6 Luna

openai logo
OpenAI
Input Price:Input: $1.00/1MOutput Price:Output: $6.00/1M
* Prices shown are per million tokens

Outputs Comparison

Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue discussion→

Key Takeaways

OpenAI
Less expensive input tokens
Less expensive output tokens
OpenAI
Larger context window (1,050,000 tokens)
Higher GPQA score (92.3% vs 40.2%)

Detailed Comparison

Interactive Arena

Judge for yourself.

Run your own prompts against GPT-4o mini and GPT-5.6 Luna side-by-side, then vote on the output you prefer.

GPT-4o mini
✓ Preferred
GPT-5.6 Luna
Open in Playground
AI Model Comparison Table
Feature
OpenAI
GPT-4o mini
OpenAI
GPT-5.6 Luna

FAQ

Common questions about GPT-4o mini vs GPT-5.6 Luna.

Which is better, GPT-4o mini or GPT-5.6 Luna?

GPT-5.6 Luna significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. GPT-4o mini is made by OpenAI and GPT-5.6 Luna is made by OpenAI. The best choice depends on your use case — compare their benchmark scores, pricing, and capabilities above.

How does GPT-4o mini compare to GPT-5.6 Luna in benchmarks?

GPT-4o mini scores HumanEval: 87.2%, MGSM: 87.0%, MMLU: 82.0%, DROP: 79.7%, MATH: 70.2%. GPT-5.6 Luna scores Connectors: 99.9%, HealthBench Consensus: 95.1%, GPQA: 92.3%, Search and Function-Calling: 89.7%, Capture-the-Flag Challenges (Internal): 85.2%.

Is GPT-4o mini cheaper than GPT-5.6 Luna?

GPT-4o mini is 6.7x cheaper for input tokens. GPT-4o mini costs $0.15/M input and $0.60/M output via azure. GPT-5.6 Luna costs $1.00/M input and $6.00/M output via openai.

What are the context window sizes for GPT-4o mini and GPT-5.6 Luna?

GPT-4o mini supports 128K tokens and GPT-5.6 Luna supports 1.1M tokens. A larger context window lets you process longer documents, conversations, or codebases in a single request.

What are the main differences between GPT-4o mini and GPT-5.6 Luna?

Key differences include context window (128K vs 1.1M), input pricing ($0.15 vs $1.00/M). See the full comparison above for benchmark-by-benchmark results.

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