GPT-5.2-Codex vs. Grok 4.20: Speed vs. Value in the LLM Arena
A detailed comparison of GPT-5.2-Codex and Grok 4.20, focusing on quality, speed, and price to help you choose the right LLM.
The large language model (LLM) market offers a growing range of choices. Today, we're pitting GPT-5.2-Codex against Grok 4.20 Beta 0309 (Reasoning) to help you decide which model best fits your needs.
Quality and Performance
Both models deliver high-end performance. GPT-5.2-Codex achieves a quality score of 49.0, slightly edging out Grok 4.20 at 48.5.
Coding Prowess
Both models are adept at coding tasks. GPT-5.2-Codex scores 43.0 in coding, while Grok 4.20 achieves 42.2. The difference here is negligible for most use cases.
Speed and Cost
Here's a breakdown of the key differences in speed and cost:
| Model | Quality | Price (/1M tokens) | Speed (tok/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPT-5.2-Codex | 49.0 | $4.81 | 89 |
| Grok 4.20 | 48.5 | $3.00 | 192 |
Grok 4.20 is significantly faster at 192 tok/s, compared to GPT-5.2-Codex's 89 tok/s. Grok 4.20 is also cheaper at $3.00/1M tokens, while GPT-5.2-Codex costs $4.81/1M tokens.
Use Case Scenarios
- General Use: GPT-5.2-Codex's slightly higher quality score makes it preferable for general tasks where top-tier output is critical.
- Coding: With similar coding scores, the speed and cost advantages of Grok 4.20 make it a better choice for coding tasks, especially for large projects.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Grok 4.20 wins hands down. Its lower price point provides significant cost savings, especially for high-volume usage.
- Enterprise: Enterprises needing raw speed for real-time applications will likely prefer Grok 4.20.
Key Differences Summarized
- Quality: GPT-5.2-Codex has a slightly higher quality score (49.0 vs 48.5).
- Speed: Grok 4.20 is much faster (192 tok/s vs 89 tok/s).
- Price: Grok 4.20 is significantly cheaper ($3.00/1M vs $4.81/1M).
- Coding: Both models are closely matched in coding ability.
Recommendation
For users prioritizing cost-effectiveness and speed, Grok 4.20 is the clear winner. Its faster processing and lower price make it ideal for high-volume tasks and budget-conscious projects. However, if top-tier quality is paramount and cost is less of a concern, GPT-5.2-Codex offers a slight edge.
Explore these models further and find the perfect LLM for your project on the Explore page or use the LLM Selector to compare even more options!