Claude Code vs GPT-5.1
A detailed comparison to help you choose the right AI tool for your needs.
Our Pick
Claude Code
Claude Code edges out GPT-5.1 Instant with superior overall performance and features that make it the better choice for most users.
Try Claude CodeFeature Comparison
Feature
Claude Code
GPT-5.1
Ratings
Overall Rating
4.9
4.7
Coding
5.0
4.5
Writing
4.5
4.6
Reasoning
4.8
4.8
Speed
4.3
4.8
Value
4.6
4.6
Pricing
Monthly Price
$20
$20
Free Tier
Input (per 1M tokens)
$5
$2.5
Output (per 1M tokens)
$25
$10
Features
Context Window
200K
128K
Vision/Images
Audio
Video
Code Generation
AI Agents
Claude Code
Pros
- Highest SWE-bench score (72.7%)
- Agentic codebase navigation
- Full Git/GitHub integration
- Rewind feature for code rollback
- MCP support out of the box
Cons
- Requires Pro subscription ($20/mo)
- Slower than simpler tools for basic tasks
GPT-5.1 Instant
Pros
- Fast responses with adaptive reasoning
- New personalization presets
- Strong math and coding improvements
- Multimodal (text, image, audio)
- Free tier available
Cons
- Coding not as strong as Claude Opus
- Can be verbose
- Writing style less natural than Claude
Choose Claude Code if you need:
Complex refactoring, architecture work, autonomous agent development
Choose GPT-5.1 if you need:
General assistant, math problems, quick coding help
Ready to get started?
Both tools offer free tiers or trials. Try them out and see which one works best for your workflow.