OpenAI vs 
xAI
Verdict
- OpenAI's flagship leads: GPT-6 Astra at 70.6 vs Grok 4.6 at 63.8.
- OpenAI has the better model in 3 of 4 price bands.
- OpenAI's fastest ranked model (GPT-5.4 mini, 218 tok/s) beats xAI's (Grok 4.3, 113 tok/s).
- OpenAI publishes more open-weights models (4 vs 0).
- OpenAI ships more often: one model every 26 days against every 42.
Best model per price band
Each provider’s highest-index model below the price ceiling. Purple marks the winner of the band.
| Price band | OpenAI | xAI |
|---|---|---|
| Under $0.50/M | GPT-5.6 Luna xhigh 59.3$0.450/M | – |
| Under $2/M | GPT-5.6 Luna xhigh 59.3$0.450/M | Grok 4.3 medium 60.7$1.56/M |
| Under $10/M | GPT-5.6 Sol high 68.0$8.00/M | Grok 4.6 medium 63.8$3.00/M |
| Any price | GPT-6 Astra max 70.6$22.00/M | Grok 4.6 medium 63.8$3.00/M |
Line-up
| Metric | OpenAI | xAI |
|---|---|---|
| Flagship index | 70.6 | 63.8 |
| Ranked models | 38 | 14 |
| Open-weights models | 4 | 0 |
| Cheapest ranked, $/M | $0.085 | $1.25 |
| Fastest ranked, tok/s | 218 | 113 |
| Release cadence, days | 26 | 42 |
| Last release | 3 Sept 2026 | 12 Aug 2026 |
| Next expected | 18 Sept 2026 – 9 Oct 2026 | 6 Sept 2026 – 9 Oct 2026 |