# OpenAI vs Amazon Bedrock

> Bedrock now serves GPT models up to GPT-6 Astra, so this is less OpenAI versus AWS than the direct API versus the AWS control plane. Price and governance decide it.

Canonical: https://www.subconscious.dev/compare/openai-vs-aws-bedrock · By The Subconscious Team · Updated September 30, 2026

## How they compare

Since an April 2026 partnership expansion, Amazon Bedrock carries OpenAI models up to GPT-6 Astra, so the same model can be reached two ways. Going direct gets OpenAI's list prices, the Responses API's hosted tools, the Agents SDK and Fast mode. Going through Bedrock wraps every call in IAM, PrivateLink, KMS encryption and CloudTrail logging, and provider models never train on customer data. Third-party analyses put most Bedrock models about 20 to 35% above direct API prices, with Claude a notable exception at parity, so it is worth checking where GPT lands before committing.

Bedrock also changes what sits around the model. One API reaches 100+ models from 18+ providers, including Claude, Nova and DeepSeek, and switching is usually a model ID change. AgentCore supplies a serverless agent runtime with memory, an MCP gateway and Cedar-based policies that sit outside the model, and provisioned throughput runs 20 to 40% off with a commitment. Teams without an AWS footprint gain little from all that and pay the markup. Teams already inside AWS may find the compliance posture is worth more than the price gap.

## What each one does

### OpenAI

OpenAI runs the most widely adopted closed-model API. Its September 2026 lineup has GPT-6 Astra at the top for computer use, coding and long agentic runs, priced at $10 in and $50 out per million tokens. Below it sits the GPT-5.6 family: Sol for hard professional work, Terra as the balanced default, and Luna for high-volume jobs at $0.20 in and $1.20 out. All of them carry a 1.05M token context window with up to 128K output.

### Amazon Bedrock

Amazon Bedrock is AWS's managed model service and has become the default AI control plane for many enterprises. One API reaches 100+ models from 18+ providers, including Anthropic's Claude family, Meta, Mistral, DeepSeek, Amazon's own Nova models, and, since an April 2026 partnership expansion, OpenAI models up to GPT-6 Astra. Switching models is usually just a new model ID. Every call inherits IAM, PrivateLink, KMS encryption and CloudTrail logging, and provider models never train on customer data.

## Which is best, and when

### Choose OpenAI for

- The lowest list price on GPT models
- Using the Responses API, Agents SDK and Fast mode
- Teams not already standardized on AWS

### Choose Amazon Bedrock for

- Regulated AWS shops that need IAM, PrivateLink and CloudTrail on GPT calls
- Mixing GPT, Claude and Nova behind one API
- Governed agents on AgentCore with policies outside the model

## At a glance

| Attribute | OpenAI | Amazon Bedrock |
|---|---|---|
| Model access | Closed, plus open gpt-oss | Closed and open, 100+ models |
| Flagship models | GPT-6 Astra, GPT-5.6 Sol, Terra, Luna | Claude, GPT-6 Astra, Nova, DeepSeek |
| Speed | Fast mode: up to 2.5x at 2x price | Latency-optimized option on some models |
| Price | $0.20–$10 in, $1.20–$50 out per 1M | ~20–35% above direct; Claude at parity |
| Customization | N/A | Fine-tuning, Custom Model Import |
| Deployment | API, Azure OpenAI, Bedrock | Managed on AWS, AgentCore |
| Long context | 1.05M; 2x input past 272K | Varies by model |

## FAQ

### What is the difference between OpenAI and Amazon Bedrock?

Bedrock now serves GPT models up to GPT-6 Astra, so this is less OpenAI versus AWS than the direct API versus the AWS control plane. Price and governance decide it.

### When should I choose OpenAI over Amazon Bedrock?

The lowest list price on GPT models; Using the Responses API, Agents SDK and Fast mode; Teams not already standardized on AWS.

### When should I choose Amazon Bedrock over OpenAI?

Regulated AWS shops that need IAM, PrivateLink and CloudTrail on GPT calls; Mixing GPT, Claude and Nova behind one API; Governed agents on AgentCore with policies outside the model.

### Is OpenAI or Amazon Bedrock cheaper?

OpenAI: $0.20–$10 in, $1.20–$50 out per 1M. Amazon Bedrock: ~20–35% above direct; Claude at parity. The cheaper choice depends on the model and workload.

### Which has more context, OpenAI or Amazon Bedrock?

OpenAI: 1.05M; 2x input past 272K. Amazon Bedrock: Varies by model.

## Running long-horizon agents?

If your agents run past 200K tokens, compare both against Subconscious: [Subconscious vs OpenAI](https://www.subconscious.dev/compare/subconscious-vs-openai.md), [Subconscious vs Amazon Bedrock](https://www.subconscious.dev/compare/subconscious-vs-aws-bedrock.md).

Full profiles: [OpenAI](https://www.subconscious.dev/providers/openai.md), [Amazon Bedrock](https://www.subconscious.dev/providers/aws-bedrock.md).