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March 1, 2025
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9
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ChatGPT-4.5 vs GPT-4o: Which AI Model Is Right for You?
George Miloradovich
Researcher, Copywriter & Usecase Interviewer
Looking for the best AI model for your needs? Here's a quick breakdown of ChatGPT-4.5 and GPT-4o to help you decide.
| Feature | ChatGPT-4.5 | GPT-4o |
|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Complex tasks, accuracy | Speed, multimodal inputs |
| Pricing | $200/month (Pro) | $20/month (Plus) |
| Speed | Standard | 2–8 seconds per response |
| Context Window | Standard | Up to 128,000 tokens |
| Coding | Advanced workflows | Quick debugging |
| Multimodal Support | Limited | Text, voice, image |
| API Cost | $75/1M input tokens | $2.50/1M input tokens |
In short: Choose ChatGPT-4.5 for precision and complex tasks, and GPT-4o for faster, cost-effective operations. Dive deeper into the article for detailed insights.
GPT-4o is designed to deliver quicker responses, making it a strong choice for tasks where timing is crucial. This speed has shown to be especially useful in live chat systems and voice AI applications.
Both models handle multimodal inputs, but each has its own strengths. ChatGPT-4.5 uses standard ChatGPT tools and APIs, including features like image input handling and in-line SVG generation through DALL·E. On the other hand, GPT-4o supports text, voice, and visual inputs in a more integrated way. Here's a breakdown of their input capabilities:
| Feature | ChatGPT-4.5 | GPT-4o |
|---|---|---|
| Text Processing | Advanced, with full ChatGPT tool support | Integrated multimodal processing |
| Image Handling | DALL·E integration and in-line SVGs | Native image support |
| Audio Support | Limited | Native audio processing |
| Context Window | Standard | Up to 128,000 tokens |
| File Support | Supports all file types | Multimodal file handling |
GPT-4o's ability to process text, voice, and visual inputs simultaneously ensures smooth transitions between different types of data. This distinction highlights the models' varying approaches to handling input.
GPT-4o stands out with its massive context window of up to 128,000 tokens, making it ideal for extended conversations or tasks requiring long-term context retention. Its ability to handle and retain information across text, audio, and visual data ensures consistency, even in complex workflows.
While both models excel in specific areas, their focus differs: ChatGPT-4.5 offers robust file handling and tool integrations, whereas GPT-4o shines in its advanced multimodal processing capabilities.
Continuing from our evaluation of core features, let’s dive into how each model performs when it comes to delivering quality outputs.
ChatGPT-4.5 stands out for its accuracy in handling facts and data, especially when compared to GPT-4o. According to the SimpleQA benchmark, ChatGPT-4.5 provides more reliable factual responses and has fewer issues with hallucinations. This accuracy is particularly important in fields like mathematics and science, where precision is non-negotiable. Benchmark tests consistently highlight ChatGPT-4.5's edge in these areas.
Now, let’s look at how these models handle coding tasks, where precision and efficiency are key.
When it comes to coding, ChatGPT-4.5 handles complex tasks and multi-step automation workflows with ease. In contrast, GPT-4o sometimes produces redundant code segments. Some developers even prefer models like Gemini and Claude over GPT-4o for coding-related tasks.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of their coding capabilities:
| Aspect | ChatGPT-4.5 | GPT-4o |
|---|---|---|
| Complex Programming | Strong performance | Basic capability |
| Code Debugging | High precision | Good for quick fixes |
| Context Understanding | Excellent | Prone to redundancy |
| Cost Efficiency | Higher cost ($200/month) | More affordable ($20/month) |
| Multi-step Workflows | Very effective | Limited capability |
Beyond coding, let’s explore how these models handle broader problem-solving tasks.
ChatGPT-4.5 demonstrates advanced problem-solving skills, particularly in multi-step and complex scenarios. Its ability to grasp human intent, understand emotional nuances, and interpret subtle cues makes it highly effective for tasks requiring deeper reasoning.
Key strengths of ChatGPT-4.5 include:
Early testing supports these findings, showing that ChatGPT-4.5 feels more conversational and provides dependable analytical responses.
Each model shines in different writing scenarios, thanks to their unique strengths. ChatGPT-4.5 is ideal for producing detailed, creative content with a refined tone, while GPT-4o focuses on delivering concise, results-oriented output.
Here's how they compare across various content types:
| Content Type | Best Model | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Copywriting | ChatGPT-4.5 | Stronger creativity and emotional appeal |
| Social Media Posts | GPT-4o | Faster, budget-friendly content creation |
| Email Marketing | GPT-4o | Clear, action-focused messaging |
| Long-form Articles | ChatGPT-4.5 | Superior context retention and flow |
These capabilities can have a direct impact on improving business workflows.
Both models play a role in automating business processes, but they do so in different ways. ChatGPT-4.5 is better suited for handling intricate workflows and complex automation tasks.
"Low-code and no-code platforms can help organizations reduce the cost of developing applications by up to 90%, enabling them to focus on delivering value to customers." – Gartner
For example, in integrations like Latenode, GPT-4o excels in delivering quick, real-time responses, whereas ChatGPT-4.5 handles multi-step, detailed workflows with ease. IT leaders report a 70% improvement in customer experience and 86% better collaboration between IT and business teams when leveraging these models. These varied strengths naturally extend into development-related tasks.
The choice between these models also impacts developer workflows. ChatGPT-4.5 is the go-to for complex, high-stakes development work, while GPT-4o is better for routine tasks and quick debugging.
GPT-4o offers a cost-effective solution at $2.50 per 1M input tokens and is highly efficient for debugging and basic coding tasks. On the other hand, ChatGPT-4.5 excels in handling intricate automation workflows but can be up to 15 times more expensive than GPT-4o for similar tasks. This makes GPT-4o an attractive option for developers looking to balance efficiency and cost.
Integrating ChatGPT-4.5 and GPT-4o into low-code platforms requires different strategies. GPT-4o's streamlined API supports efficient implementation, while ChatGPT-4.5 is designed for more advanced automation tasks. For instance, in February 2025, a 4-step workflow using ChatGPT-4.5 linked the OpenAI Assistants API with Gmail, Google Sheets, and Slack. This setup was used to process, classify, and route customer inquiries effectively. These differences highlight the unique capabilities of each API.
| Integration Feature | GPT-4o | ChatGPT-4.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Token Processing | $2.50/1M input tokens | $75.00/1M input tokens |
| Multimodal Support | Yes | Limited |
| Function Calling | Advanced | Basic |
For businesses using automation platforms like Latenode, understanding the API features of these models is essential. GPT-4o offers strong multimodal support and advanced function calling, making it a reliable choice for diverse use cases. Its cost-efficient pricing of $2.50 per million input tokens makes it ideal for high-volume automation needs.
On the other hand, ChatGPT-4.5's API, though priced higher at $75.00 per million input tokens, delivers greater accuracy in handling complex workflows. Its enhanced ability to retain context makes it a strong option for intricate business process automation.
The API features of these models directly impact workflow performance. Latenode’s AI assistant, for example, boosts efficiency through its visual workflow builder:
To put this into perspective, processing 60 input and 581 output tokens costs $0.00596 with GPT-4o, compared to $0.09165 with ChatGPT-4.5. This 15-fold cost difference is a critical factor for organizations managing multiple automated workflows.
Here's a breakdown of the pricing for each plan:
| Plan | Monthly Cost | GPT-4o Access | GPT-4.5 Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Limited | No |
| Plus | $20 | Up to 5× Free Plan | No |
| Pro | $200 | Unlimited | Yes |
| Team | $25–30/user | Expanded | No |
| Enterprise | Custom | Expanded | No |
For API usage, GPT-4.5 costs $75 per million input tokens and $150 per million output tokens. Meanwhile, GPT-4o's API is priced at $2.50 per million input tokens and $10.00 per million output tokens. This makes GPT-4o a cost-effective choice for businesses handling large volumes of data.
Both models run on OpenAI's cloud platform but have different hardware needs. GPT-4.5, built on Microsoft Azure AI supercomputers, demands more computing power, which contributes to its higher operational costs. However, this also means enhanced accuracy and better context handling. On the other hand, GPT-4o is designed for real-time efficiency, making it a good fit for businesses managing multiple processes at once.
Regional availability is another factor to consider. The latest version of GPT-4o, launched on December 17, 2024, is accessible in East US2 (Global Standard) and Sweden Central (Global Standard).
Accessing GPT-4.5 through Azure OpenAI requires registration and Microsoft's approval. The platform leverages global infrastructure with dynamic traffic routing to ensure efficient request handling. Additionally, OpenAI provides discounts for nonprofit organizations: 20% off ChatGPT Team plans and 50% off ChatGPT Enterprise plans, making advanced AI tools more accessible.
GPT-4.5 stands out with its precision, emotional depth, and advanced reasoning. It’s ideal for tackling complex tasks that demand detailed thought and creativity. This makes it a strong choice for high-stakes projects where accuracy and nuance are key.
GPT-4o, on the other hand, is built for speed and cost-effectiveness. Its ability to handle text, images, and audio inputs makes it a great fit for tasks requiring quick responses and logical processing.
These strengths cater to different needs, so the right model depends on what you’re trying to achieve.
"GPT-4.5 shows strong capabilities in agentic planning and execution, including multi-step coding workflows and complex task automation".
GPT-4o, with its lower-cost API, works well for rapid prototyping and high-volume projects.
When deciding, think about your specific needs and budget. If you’re juggling multiple AI applications, a hybrid approach could be the way to go - leveraging GPT-4.5 for critical tasks and GPT-4o for everyday operations.
