text model comparison
GPT-6.1 Terra vs Step 5 Preview
GPT-6.1 Terra and Step 5 Preview are both current text models, from OpenAI and StepFun. Both cost $1 per 1M input tokens. GPT-6.1 Terra has the larger context window, 1,050,000 vs 1,000,000 tokens.
Data verified October 28, 2026 · Dataset 2026-10-28
Side by side
GPT-6.1 Terra and Step 5 Preview, line by line
Prices in effect today, compared at the same tier wherever both list one. The better value in each row is highlighted.
| Fact | GPT-6.1 Terra | Step 5 Preview |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Price per 1M input tokens | $1 | $1 |
| Price per 1M output tokens | $5 | $2.70 (better) |
| Specs | ||
| Provider | OpenAI | StepFun |
| Release date | October 26, 2026 | Not reported |
| Access | API only | API only |
| Context window | 1,050,000 tokens | 1,000,000 tokens |
| Max output | 128,000 tokens | 64,000 tokens |
| Input | text, image | text, image, video |
| Output | text | text |
Charts
Against every current text model
Where GPT-6.1 Terra and Step 5 Preview land among the current models of their task, on every independent benchmark, on price and on context.
Where each stands
No independent benchmark has scored either model yet, so the tiles rank their prices among the current models of their task.
Price and context
Price per 1M input tokens
GPT-6.1 Terra:#19of 51
$1 · cheaper than 62%
Step 5 Preview:#19of 51
$1 · cheaper than 62%
Price per 1M output tokens
GPT-6.1 Terra:#26of 51
$5 · cheaper than 50%
Step 5 Preview:#18of 51
$2.70 · cheaper than 66%
Context window
GPT-6.1 Terra:#1of 66
1.05M tokens · longer than 86%
Step 5 Preview:#28of 66
1M tokens · longer than 22%
Cost
What each costs
Example workloads at each provider's listed rates, then every other rate either one lists. The cheaper figure in each row is highlighted.
The same work, priced
For 10M input and 2M output tokens, GPT-6.1 Terra costs 1.3 times as much as Step 5 Preview, at each provider's listed rates.
10M input and 2M output tokens
GPT-6.1 Terra costs 1.3× as much
- GPT-6.1 Terra
- $20
- Step 5 Preview
- $15.40
The same, with 9M of the input tokens cached
GPT-6.1 Terra costs 1.6× as much
- GPT-6.1 Terra
- $11.45
- Step 5 Preview
- $7.30
| Workload or rate | GPT-6.1 Terra | Step 5 Preview |
|---|---|---|
| Example workloads | ||
| 10M input and 2M output tokens | $20 | $15.40 (better) |
| The same, with 9M of the input tokens cached | $11.45 | $7.30 (better) |
| Other listed rates | ||
| 1M input tokens, cached | $0.05 (better) | $0.10 |
| 1M input tokens, prompts over 272K tokens | $2 | Not listed |
| 1M output tokens, prompts over 272K tokens | $7.50 | Not listed |
Verdict
When to choose each
GPT-6.1 Terra
Where it leads
- Larger context window 1,050,000 vs 1,000,000 tokens
- Longer responses, up to 128,000 vs 64,000 output tokens
- Cheaper cached input, $0.05 vs $0.10 per 1M tokens
Best for
- Computer-use and tool-calling agents at half GPT-6.1 Sol's price
- High-volume reasoning work that stays under the 272K long-context threshold
Watch out for
- Prompts over 272,000 input tokens bill the whole request at $2 input and $7.50 output per 1M tokens
- Reads text and images only: audio and video input are not supported
- Released on 26 October 2026, so no independent benchmark score is recorded here yet
Step 5 Preview
Where it leads
- Lower price per 1M output tokens, $2.70 vs $5
- Accepts video input
Best for
- Long-context agentic coding and finance work
Watch out for
- A preview: StepFun publishes no release date, parameter count or benchmark scores for it
- Output tokens are billed including the reasoning trace, and output is capped at 64K tokens
From benchmark to production
Building on GPT-6.1 Terra or Step 5 Preview?
Public scores rarely hold on your own data. We test both models on your real tasks, then build the agent or pipeline around the one that wins.
FAQ
GPT-6.1 Terra vs Step 5 Preview FAQ
Which is cheaper, GPT-6.1 Terra or Step 5 Preview?
Both cost $1 per 1M input tokens. For 10M input and 2M output tokens, GPT-6.1 Terra costs $20 and Step 5 Preview $15.40 at standard rates.
Which is cheaper with prompt caching, GPT-6.1 Terra or Step 5 Preview?
GPT-6.1 Terra charges $0.05 per 1M cached input tokens, 95% below its standard input rate, and Step 5 Preview $0.10, 90% below. With 9M of 10M input tokens cached and 2M output tokens, GPT-6.1 Terra costs $11.45 and Step 5 Preview $7.30.
Which has the larger context window, GPT-6.1 Terra or Step 5 Preview?
GPT-6.1 Terra has the larger context window, 1,050,000 vs 1,000,000 tokens. GPT-6.1 Terra returns up to 128,000 tokens per response, Step 5 Preview 64,000.
How do GPT-6.1 Terra and Step 5 Preview differ in features?
GPT-6.1 Terra takes text and image input; Step 5 Preview takes text, image and video.
Further reading
More on GPT-6.1 Terra and Step 5 Preview
Articles on GPT-6.1 Terra and Step 5 Preview
- GPT-6.1 Terra: Price, Benchmarks and When to Use ItOctober 27, 2026
Production evaluation
Choosing between GPT-6.1 Terra and Step 5 Preview?
Public benchmarks narrow the shortlist. We run both on your own tasks, data and cost limits, then build the routing and review controls to run the winner in production.
- A head-to-head evaluation on your real workload
- Routing between models by cost and difficulty