OpenAI o1 vs OpenAI o3: The Complete Comparison
Which ai chatbots & assistants tool is right for you? A detailed side-by-side analysis of features, pricing, and performance.
OpenAI o1 wins for most users due to best-in-class reasoning for complex problems. Choose OpenAI o1 if you need Researchers and scientists. Choose OpenAI o3 for AI researchers and scientists.
- Price: OpenAI o1 starts at $20/mo, OpenAI o3 at $200/mo
- Free tier: Neither has free tier
- Best for: OpenAI o1 → Researchers and scientists | OpenAI o3 → AI researchers and scientists
- Features: 25+ features across 7 categories
- Our pick: OpenAI o1 for power users
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | OpenAI o1 | OpenAI o3 |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | OpenAI | OpenAI |
| Starting Price | $20/mo | $200/mo |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| API Access | Yes | Yes |
| Web App | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Researchers and scientists | AI researchers and scientists |
OpenAI o1 vs OpenAI o3 Pricing
Here's how the pricing compares between both tools:
OpenAI o1
No Free TierOpenAI o3
No Free TierFeatures Comparison
OpenAI o1 Features
- ✓ Web App
- ✓ Api Access
- ✓ Mobile App
- ✓ File Upload
- ✓ Image Input
- ✓ Code Execution
- ✓ Reasoning Mode
OpenAI o3 Features
- ✓ Memory
- ✓ Web App
- ✓ Api Access
- ✓ Mobile App
- ✓ File Upload
- ✓ Image Input
- ✓ Web Browsing
- ✓ Code Execution
- ✓ Reasoning Mode
- ✓ Arc Agi Benchmark
Pros and Cons
OpenAI o1
Pros
- Best-in-class reasoning for complex problems
- PhD-level performance on STEM benchmarks
- Shows step-by-step thinking process
- Excellent at competitive programming
- Superior accuracy on multi-step problems
Cons
- Significantly slower than GPT-4o
- No web browsing capabilities
- Expensive Pro tier pricing
OpenAI o3
Pros
- Achieves 91.6% accuracy on AIME 2024 mathematical reasoning
- Breakthrough performance on ARC-AGI benchmark
- Superior coding and software engineering capabilities
- Advanced multi-step logical reasoning
- Excellent for complex scientific analysis
Cons
- Very expensive at $200/month for Pro access
- Limited availability and access
- Slower response times due to reasoning process
Who Should Use Each Tool?
Choose OpenAI o1 if you need:
- Researchers and scientists
- Competitive programmers
- Students tackling complex math problems
- Engineers solving technical challenges
Choose OpenAI o3 if you need:
- AI researchers and scientists
- Advanced software engineers
- Mathematical problem solving
- Complex engineering projects
- Frontier AI research applications
Final Verdict: OpenAI o1 vs OpenAI o3
🏆 Winner: OpenAI o1
After comparing all aspects, OpenAI o1 comes out slightly ahead for most users. Key strength: Best-in-class reasoning for complex problems.
Bottom line: Use OpenAI o1 for Researchers and scientists. Use OpenAI o3 for AI researchers and scientists. Both are excellent ai chatbots & assistants tools in 2026.
What Are We Comparing?
OpenAI o1
Experience OpenAI's most advanced reasoning model that thinks step-by-step through complex problems in math, science, and coding with unprecedented accuracy.
OpenAI o1 represents a breakthrough in AI reasoning capabilities, designed to tackle complex multi-step problems that require deep analytical thinking. Unlike traditional language models, o1 uses chain-of-thought reasoning to work through challenging tasks in mathematics, science, competitive programming, and research. The model excels at problems that would typically require PhD-level expertise, making it invaluable for researchers, scientists, and developers working on sophisticated technical challenges. Available through ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscriptions, o1 provides access to both the full model and o1-mini for faster, lighter reasoning tasks. While slower than GPT-4o, o1's deliberate approach to problem-solving delivers superior accuracy on complex reasoning benchmarks.
OpenAI o3
Experience OpenAI's most advanced reasoning model o3, delivering breakthrough performance on complex mathematical, coding, and scientific problems with near-human-level abstract reasoning capabilities.
OpenAI o3 represents the pinnacle of AI reasoning technology, achieving groundbreaking results on the ARC-AGI benchmark that demonstrate near-human-level abstract reasoning abilities. This next-generation model excels at solving complex mathematical problems (achieving 91.6% on AIME 2024), advanced coding challenges, and sophisticated scientific analysis tasks that require multi-step logical thinking. Built as the successor to o1, o3 features enhanced efficiency and superior problem-solving capabilities across mathematics, science, and engineering domains. The model is designed for researchers, engineers, and professionals who need AI assistance with the most challenging analytical tasks. Available through ChatGPT Pro subscription and API access, o3 sets new standards for AI reasoning while maintaining OpenAI's commitment to safety and reliability in frontier AI development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between OpenAI o1 and OpenAI o3?
OpenAI o1 is experience openai's most advanced reasoning model that thinks step-by-step through complex problems in math, science, and coding with unprecedented accuracy. OpenAI o3 is experience openai's most advanced reasoning model o3, delivering breakthrough performance on complex mathematical, coding, and scientific problems with near-human-level abstract reasoning capabilities. The main differences are in pricing ($20/mo vs $200/mo), target users, and specific features offered.
Which is better: OpenAI o1 or OpenAI o3?
OpenAI o1 is generally better for most users due to best-in-class reasoning for complex problems. OpenAI o1 is best for Researchers and scientists, while OpenAI o3 shines at AI researchers and scientists.
Is OpenAI o1 free to use?
No, OpenAI o1 doesn't have a free tier. Pricing starts at $20/mo.
Is OpenAI o3 free to use?
No, OpenAI o3 doesn't have a free tier. Pricing starts at $200/mo.
Can I switch from OpenAI o1 to OpenAI o3?
Yes, you can switch between these tools at any time. Both are standalone services. Consider your specific needs for Researchers and scientists vs AI researchers and scientists when deciding.
