Model Comparison

GPT-5 mini vs Nova LiteWhich is better in 2026?

GPT-5 mini significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. Nova Lite is 6.5x cheaper per token.

Verdict: GPT-5 mini vs Nova Lite — which is better?

GPT-5 mini (by OpenAI) and Nova Lite (by Amazon) 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-5 mini outperforms in 1 benchmarks (GPQA), while Nova Lite is better at 0 benchmarks. GPT-5 mini significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

On price, Nova Lite is roughly 6.5x cheaper per token on a blended 3:1 input/output basis, which adds up quickly at production volume.

GPT-5 mini also accepts a larger context window (400,000 input tokens), making it the stronger choice for long documents and large codebases.

Choose GPT-5 mini if…

  • you want the strongest raw capability — it leads on 1 of 1 shared benchmarks
  • you process long inputs — it offers a 400,000 token context window
  • you want the most recent training data — it shipped Aug 2025

Choose Nova Lite if…

  • cost matters — it's about 6.5x cheaper per token

Performance Benchmarks

Comparative analysis across standard metrics

1 benchmarks

GPT-5 mini outperforms in 1 benchmarks (GPQA), while Nova Lite is better at 0 benchmarks.

GPT-5 mini significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

Wed Jul 15 2026 • llm-stats.com

Arena Performance

Human preference votes

Pricing Analysis

Price comparison per million tokens

Nova Lite costs less

For input processing, GPT-5 mini ($0.25/1M tokens) is 4.2x more expensive than Nova Lite ($0.06/1M tokens).

For output processing, GPT-5 mini ($2.00/1M tokens) is 8.3x more expensive than Nova Lite ($0.24/1M tokens).

In conclusion, GPT-5 mini is more expensive than Nova Lite.*

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

Lowest available price from all providers
Wed Jul 15 2026 • llm-stats.com
OpenAI
GPT-5 mini
Input tokens$0.25
Output tokens$2.00
Best providerOpenAI
Amazon
Nova Lite
Input tokens$0.06
Output tokens$0.24
Best providerAWS Bedrock
Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue→

Context Window

Maximum input and output token capacity

GPT-5 mini accepts 400,000 input tokens compared to Nova Lite's 300,000 tokens. GPT-5 mini can generate longer responses up to 128,000 tokens, while Nova Lite is limited to 2,048 tokens.

OpenAI
GPT-5 mini
Input400,000 tokens
Output128,000 tokens
Amazon
Nova Lite
Input300,000 tokens
Output2,048 tokens
Wed Jul 15 2026 • llm-stats.com

Input Capabilities

Supported data types and modalities

Both GPT-5 mini and Nova Lite support multimodal inputs.

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

GPT-5 mini

Text
Images
Audio
Video

Nova Lite

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-5 mini

Proprietary

Closed source

Nova Lite

Proprietary

Closed source

Release Timeline

When each model was launched

GPT-5 mini was released on 2025-08-07, while Nova Lite was released on 2024-11-20.

GPT-5 mini is 9 months newer than Nova Lite.

GPT-5 mini

Aug 7, 2025

11 months ago

8mo newer
Nova Lite

Nov 20, 2024

1.6 years ago

Knowledge Cutoff

When training data ends

GPT-5 mini has a documented knowledge cutoff of 2024-05-30, while Nova Lite's cutoff date is not specified.

We can confirm GPT-5 mini's training data extends to 2024-05-30, but cannot make a direct comparison without Nova Lite's cutoff date.

GPT-5 mini

May 2024

Nova Lite

—

Provider Availability

GPT-5 mini is available from OpenAI. Nova Lite is available from Bedrock.

GPT-5 mini

openai logo
OpenAI
Input Price:Input: $0.25/1MOutput Price:Output: $2.00/1M

Nova Lite

bedrock logo
AWS Bedrock
Input Price:Input: $0.06/1MOutput Price:Output: $0.24/1M
* Prices shown are per million tokens

Outputs Comparison

Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue discussion→

Key Takeaways

OpenAI
Larger context window (400,000 tokens)
Higher GPQA score (82.3% vs 42.0%)
Amazon
Less expensive input tokens
Less expensive output tokens

Detailed Comparison

Interactive Arena

Judge for yourself.

Run your own prompts against GPT-5 mini and Nova Lite side-by-side, then vote on the output you prefer.

GPT-5 mini
✓ Preferred
Nova Lite
Open in Playground
AI Model Comparison Table
Feature
OpenAI
GPT-5 mini
Amazon
Nova Lite

FAQ

Common questions about GPT-5 mini vs Nova Lite.

Which is better, GPT-5 mini or Nova Lite?

GPT-5 mini significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. GPT-5 mini is made by OpenAI and Nova Lite is made by Amazon. The best choice depends on your use case — compare their benchmark scores, pricing, and capabilities above.

How does GPT-5 mini compare to Nova Lite in benchmarks?

GPT-5 mini scores AIME 2025: 91.1%, HMMT 2025: 87.8%, GPQA: 82.3%, FrontierMath: 22.1%, Humanity's Last Exam: 16.7%. Nova Lite scores GSM8k: 94.5%, ARC-C: 92.4%, DocVQA: 92.4%, IFEval: 89.7%, Translation en→Set1 COMET22: 88.8%.

Is GPT-5 mini cheaper than Nova Lite?

Nova Lite is 4.2x cheaper for input tokens. GPT-5 mini costs $0.25/M input and $2.00/M output via openai. Nova Lite costs $0.06/M input and $0.24/M output via bedrock.

What are the context window sizes for GPT-5 mini and Nova Lite?

GPT-5 mini supports 400K tokens and Nova Lite supports 300K tokens. A larger context window lets you process longer documents, conversations, or codebases in a single request.

What are the main differences between GPT-5 mini and Nova Lite?

Key differences include context window (400K vs 300K), input pricing ($0.25 vs $0.06/M). See the full comparison above for benchmark-by-benchmark results.

Who makes GPT-5 mini and Nova Lite?

GPT-5 mini is developed by OpenAI and Nova Lite is developed by Amazon.

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