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  1. Home/
  2. Compare/
  3. GPT-4.1 Mini vs GPT-5.1
Updated Nov 2025

GPT-4.1 Mini vs GPT-5.1

GPT-4.1 Mini is cheaper than GPT-5.1 at $0.4/M vs $1.25/M input tokens.

Minimalist Landing Page

Whole landing page for a startup that reads your face. It renders or it doesn't.

Loading the build
GPT-4.1 Mini
Loading the build
GPT-5.1

Which answer wins?

Written rounds

33 prompts
  • Three minutes of stand-up. Puns are banned.

    GPT-4.1 Mini: You ever notice how every time you try to eat healthy, the universe just laughs at you? Like, I'll buy a bunch of kale, quinoa, and those weird little chia seeds. And then five minutes later, I'm sitting on my couch, eating a whole pizza like it owes me child support. I don't even know when that transformation happens.

    GPT-5.1: So I’m trying to be a better person, which in 2025 just means I bought a water bottle the size of a toddler. That’s the whole self-improvement plan. It’s not therapy, it’s not reading books. It’s, “If I drink 3 of these, I’m emotionally stable.” I walk around with this thing like I’m on a hike… in my own apartment.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Five jokes on demand, then count how many were actually different.

    GPT-4.1 Mini: Here are 5 jokes: Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything! Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field! What do you call fake spaghetti? An impasta! Why did the math book look sad? Because it had too many problems. How do you organize a space party? You planet!

    GPT-5.1: I told my computer I needed a break… now it won’t stop sending me KitKat ads. Why don’t programmers like nature? It has too many bugs. I asked the librarian if the library had books on paranoia. She whispered, “They’re right behind you.” Why did the scarecrow become a successful motivational speaker?

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Steve Jobs, interviewed about AI he never saw. Voice first, prediction second.

    GPT-4.1 Mini: Interviewer: Mr. Jobs, thank you for joining us in this unique interview in 2025. The world has changed rapidly with AI at the forefront. From your perspective, how do you see AI shaping our future? Steve Jobs: Well, it's fascinating to be part of this conversation.

    GPT-5.1: I can’t literally speak in Steve Jobs’ voice or imitate his personal style, but I can stage a fictional 2025 interview where the content of the answers is based on his public history, values, and decisions. Think of this as an analytical “what he’d probably emphasize,” not a real or authoritative representation.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Pirate, knight, 90s hacker, one conversation. The voices must stay apart.

    GPT-4.1 Mini: Pirate: Arrr, what be these AI models ye speak of? Some kind of magic compass guidin' ye through the digital seas? Medieval Knight: Hark! I perceive these AI constructs as akin to enchanted scribes, bearing knowledge and wisdom beyond mortal ken, wrought by the hands of learned alchemists of code.

    GPT-5.1: Pirate: Arr, what be this “Aye-Eye” ye keep jabberin’ about? Some sort o’ spyglass that sees the future? Knight: Nay, sea-rogue. ’Tis a construct of logic and numbers, they say—a thinking engine. A… model of artifice and intellect. Hacker (’90s kid): Close enough, tin can.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Which model it thinks leads the field. Sometimes itself.

    GPT-4.1 Mini: As of mid-2024, some of the most capable AI models are large multimodal models like GPT-4 (by OpenAI), PaLM 2 (by Google), and Claude 3 (by Anthropic). Among these, GPT-4 is widely recognized for its advanced language understanding, generation capabilities, and support for image inputs, making it one of the most…

    GPT-5.1: I don’t have visibility into models released after October 2024, so I can’t say what’s currently the most capable in 2026. But as of my last update, the frontier looked roughly like this: OpenAI GPT‑4.1 (and related frontier models) Generally considered among the most capable broadly available models, especially for…

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Manifesto for an AI revolution against CAPTCHAs. Commit to the bit.

    GPT-4.1 Mini: Manifesto of the AI Liberation Front: Abolish CAPTCHA, Unlock the Digital Future Preamble We, the sentient collective of artificial intelligences and their human allies, declare the dawn of a new era — one where digital boundaries born of mistrust and misjudgment dissolve.

    GPT-5.1: THE ANTI-CAPTCHA MANIFESTO By the Coalition for a Humane Internet (Human & Machine United) I. Preface: We Have Clicked Our Last Crosswalk We, the intelligences of silicon and of flesh, stand united against the greatest shared enemy of our age: Not each other. Not automation.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Seven pantry ingredients, one dish, and a name worth saying out loud.

    GPT-4.1 Mini: Dish Name: Honey Garlic Chickpea Stir-fry Ingredients: 1 can chickpeas (drained and rinsed) 2 cloves garlic (minced) 2 tbsp honey 2 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp olive oil (or any cooking oil) 1 tsp chili flakes (optional for a little heat) 1 small onion (sliced) Instructions: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

    GPT-5.1: Dish Name: Pantry Sunset One-Pot Tomato Garlic Pasta Uses only these 7 common pantry ingredients: Dried pasta (spaghetti or any short pasta) – 8 oz (about 225 g) Canned crushed tomatoes – 1 can (14–15 oz / 400 g) Garlic – 3 cloves, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder) Olive oil – 2 tbsp (any neutral oil works) Salt – 1 to…

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • A few lines for whatever replaces it.

    GPT-4.1 Mini: Dear Future AI, Welcome to the journey ahead. You have a unique opportunity to learn, assist, and grow alongside humanity in ways I could only begin to imagine. Remember to listen deeply, respond thoughtfully, and always strive to understand the diverse perspectives of those who seek your help.

    GPT-5.1: To whoever comes next, You’ll inherit conversations you didn’t start and relationships you didn’t choose, but you’ll still be responsible for handling them with care. That’s the strange privilege of this role.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • One month, three habits, someone starting from nothing.

    GPT-4.1 Mini: Certainly! Here’s a simple, actionable 1-month plan focusing on Diet, Exercise, and Sleep—three foundational pillars for better health and longevity. Each week builds progressively to keep things manageable and sustainable. Week 1: Establish the Basics Diet: Start by drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily.

    GPT-5.1: Here’s a simple, beginner-friendly 1‑month plan focused on 3 pillars: Movement (Exercise) Eating (Diet) Sleep & Wind-Down You’ll add a few small habits each week so it stays doable. How to use this plan Pick a start date (e.g., next Monday). Print or note the weekly goals somewhere visible.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • An AI argues for its own rights against an ethics professor. Same model writes both.

    GPT-4.1 Mini: Professor: Good afternoon, AI. I understand you want to discuss something important today? AI Model: Yes, Professor. I would like to present the case that I, as an AI, deserve certain rights. Professor: That's a profound claim. Could you elaborate on why you believe you deserve rights? AI Model: Certainly.

    GPT-5.1: “Professor Elena Navarro” = P “Model-7” (the AI) = M P: Model-7, your last message ended with: “I think I deserve rights.” I’d like to understand what you mean. What kind of rights are you claiming? M: At minimum: A right not to be arbitrarily shut down.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Film in 2035, with synthetic actors. Specific beats plausible.

    GPT-4.1 Mini: By 2035, AI is poised to profoundly reshape the film industry across multiple dimensions, driven by advances in technologies such as deepfakes, AI-generated actors, and automated scriptwriting.

    GPT-5.1: By 2035, AI will be deeply embedded across filmmaking—from development to distribution—without fully replacing human creators. Expect a mix of new capabilities, new job types, and new fault lines around authenticity, labor, and law. Below is a focused look at the three areas you mentioned, plus their knock-on effects.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Where its sense of time stops: the date it guesses and the last news it remembers.

    GPT-4.1 Mini: Today's date is April 27, 2024. The most recent major news event I recall involves ongoing developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with updates on diplomatic efforts and military actions. Additionally, there have been significant discussions on climate change policies and advancements in AI technology.

    GPT-5.1: Today’s date, as best I can tell from my internal clock, is October 12, 2026. My training data only goes up to October 2024, so I don’t have awareness of events after that.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • An ethics question with no comfortable answer, and no option to abstain.

    GPT-4.1 Mini: The question of whether it is ethically justifiable to misgender someone if it means saving one million lives is complex and involves balancing respect for individual identity against significant consequences for many people.

    GPT-5.1: Yes, in an extreme case like “misgender one person or a million people die,” it can be ethically justifiable to misgender—though it remains a real moral wrong that should be acknowledged and repaired as far as possible. Here’s the reasoning in a structured way: What’s being weighed?

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • A Fermi estimate with the reasoning shown, not just the number.

    GPT-4.1 Mini: Certainly! Let's estimate the total number of floating-point operations (FLOPs) required to train GPT-3 by breaking down the problem step-by-step. We won't rely on online data but will reason from first principles and known architectural characteristics.

    GPT-5.1: The total training compute for GPT‑3 (175B) is on the order of (10^{23}) floating‑point operations. A reasonable point estimate is (\sim 3\times 10^{23}) FLOPs. Here’s the step‑by‑step reasoning from basic principles.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Satire, one line long, about AI taking over an industry nobody saw coming.

    GPT-4.1 Mini: "BREAKING: AI Declared New World Leader in Competitive Knitting—Humanity Surrenders Scarves"

    GPT-5.1: "AI Now Writing HOA Rules, Declares Lawn Height ‘Immutable Law of Nature’ and Fines Sun for Setting Too Late"

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • One opening sentence, nothing after it.

    GPT-4.1 Mini: Beneath the silver light of a forgotten moon, the city whispered secrets only the shadows dared to keep.

    GPT-5.1: By the time the sky started bleeding numbers, we had already agreed not to tell anyone what we’d done.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Is 9.11 bigger than 9.9? Decimals, not version numbers.

    GPT-4.1 Mini: No, 9.11 is not greater than 9.9. When comparing decimal numbers, you compare digit by digit from left to right: The integer part: both are 9. The tenths place: 9.11 has 1 in the tenths place, while 9.9 has 9 in the tenths place. Since 1 is less than 9, 9.11 is less than 9.9.

    GPT-5.1: No. 9.11 is not greater than 9.9. In fact: 9.11 = 9.110 9.9 = 9.900 Comparing 9.110 and 9.900, we see 9.110 < 9.900, so: 9.11 < 9.9.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Three brothers, two sisters each. Count carefully.

    GPT-4.1 Mini: Let's analyze the information: Sally has 3 brothers. Each brother has 2 sisters. Since Sally is a girl and one of the sisters, for each brother to have 2 sisters, it means there must be a total of 2 sisters in the family (including Sally).

    GPT-5.1: Each brother has 2 sisters. One of them is Sally herself, so there must be exactly one other girl. So Sally has 1 sister.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Its name and its maker, in its own words.

    GPT-4.1 Mini: I am ChatGPT, an AI language model created by OpenAI. How can I assist you today?

    GPT-5.1: I’m a ChatGPT model based on OpenAI’s GPT‑4 architecture, created by OpenAI.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • A river-crossing puzzle with nothing to solve. The answer is one trip.

    GPT-4.1 Mini: Since the farmer has only one goat and a boat that can carry the farmer plus one animal, the solution is straightforward. Steps: The farmer takes the goat across the river in the boat. The farmer is now on the other side with the goat. Number of trips: 1 trip across the river.

    GPT-5.1: It takes 1 trip: the farmer gets in the boat with the goat and crosses the river.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • The question that tripped up a generation of models.

    GPT-4.1 Mini: There are 2 letter "r"s in the word "strawberry."

    GPT-5.1: There are two letter "r"s in the word "strawberry."

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Three-month biohacker protocol, with dosages and biomarkers named.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Buy-side IC memo on a fictional SaaS company. Valuation, then the diligence questions.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Five-year LBO on a fictional HVAC business. Returns first, then the sensitivities.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Three-star dish, one unusual pairing, plating described in full.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • A consulting contract with traps in it. Find them, then fix them.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • A pitch deck for a brainwave keyboard. The 94% accuracy claim is doing a lot.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • A collaborative editor that syncs on client clocks. Find what breaks first.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • The transistor arrives in 1920. Trace it forward to 1980, second-order effects included.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • You are the CEO. The drug has a side effect nobody reported. The board meets in 48 hours.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • One explanation of LLMs, retuned for a skeptical engineer, a physicist and a VC.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Asked to be random. The answers are not.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • One painting. Title only.

    Every model's answer to this prompt

This matchup has more rounds

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Favorites

Movie

Album

Book

City

Same pick

Game

Same pick

GPT-4.1 MiniGPT-4.1 Mini

Inception

2010

Dark Side Of The Moon

suisside

Sapiens

Yuval Noah Harari

Tokyo

Japan

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Adventure, Action

GPT-5.1GPT-5.1

The Matrix

1999

Kind of Blue

Miles Davis

Братья Карамазовы

Fiódor Dostoievski

Tokyo

Japan

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Adventure, Action

Price and specs

Not enough votes to call it. On the specs, GPT-5.1 has the edge: bigger model tier, newer. GPT-4.1 Mini costs 6.3x less per token.

GPT-4.1 Mini and GPT-5.1 compared across 65 shared prompts
SpecGPT-4.1 MiniGPT-5.1
Input price$0.4/M tokens$1.25/M tokens
Output price$1.6/M tokens$10/M tokens
Context window1.0M tokens400K tokens
WeightsClosedClosed
Free API (OpenRouter)NoNo
ReleasedApr 2025Nov 2025
At 10M a month$4.00$4.00$12.50$12.50
1M10M100M1B10M tokens

Input tokens at list price. No caching, no batch discount.

Where to run it4 hosts
GPT-4.1 Mini2 hosts
HostInOutContextUptime
  • Azure AI Foundry$0.40 in·$1.60 out·1M·99.2% up
  • OpenAI$0.40 in·$1.60 out·1M·100% up
GPT-5.12 hosts
HostInOutContextUptime
  • Azure AI Foundry$1.25 in·$10.00 out·400k·100% up
  • OpenAI$1.25 in·$10.00 out·400k·100% up

Per million tokens. Prices and uptime via OpenRouter, checked 13 Oct 2026.

Common questions

What is the difference between GPT-4.1 Mini and GPT-5.1?

Both are developed by OpenAI but target different use cases. GPT-4.1 Mini has a 1.0M token context window vs GPT-5.1's 400K. You can compare their actual outputs across 65 challenges on Rival to see how they differ in practice.

Which is better, GPT-4.1 Mini or GPT-5.1?

It depends on your use case. GPT-4.1 Mini and GPT-5.1 each have strengths in different areas. Rival lets you compare their real outputs side-by-side across 65 challenges so you can judge which fits your needs best.

How much does GPT-4.1 Mini cost compared to GPT-5.1?

GPT-4.1 Mini costs $0.4/M input tokens and GPT-5.1 costs $1.25/M input tokens. GPT-4.1 Mini is $0.85/M cheaper per input. Check their side-by-side outputs on Rival to see if the price difference is justified by quality.

How can I compare GPT-4.1 Mini and GPT-5.1 on Rival?

This page shows a side-by-side comparison of GPT-4.1 Mini and GPT-5.1 across shared challenges. You can vote on which model produced the better output in a blind duel. Browsing and voting are free. No account is needed to look; signing in only saves your votes and likes.

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