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OpenAI vs Meta
Two closed APIs with open-weight side models. Meta's Muse Spark is cheaper and speaks OpenAI's format; OpenAI has the track record and the frontier tier.
By The Subconscious Team · Updated
OpenAI vs Meta: key differences
Meta's Muse API is built to be an easy switch from OpenAI. The endpoint speaks OpenAI Chat Completions, along with Anthropic Messages and a stateful agentic format, and Muse Spark 1.3 costs $1.25 in and $4.25 out with a 1M window and cached input at $0.15. That sits well under GPT-6 Astra and in the middle of OpenAI's GPT-5.6 range. Both companies pair a closed API with an open model for self-hosting: gpt-oss from OpenAI, and Muse Glimmer, distilled from Muse Spark, from Meta.
The difference is maturity. Meta's API is still in public preview with a short track record, while OpenAI has the largest ecosystem, hosted tools and availability on Azure and Bedrock. Meta's Contributor tier cuts prices to $0.10 in and $0.20 out, but it lets Meta train on your prompts and drops rate limits from 3,000 to 100 requests per minute, which rules it out for most business traffic. Meta also bundles Muse Image at $0.01 per image and transcription at $0.18 per audio hour on the same key.
What OpenAI and Meta do
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.
Example models: GPT-6 Astra, GPT-5.6 Terra
Full OpenAI profileMeta
Meta has moved from open Llama releases toward its own closed API. Meta Superintelligence Labs builds the Muse family, and in July 2026 Meta opened a public preview of the Meta Model API with Muse Spark 1.1, a multimodal reasoning model aimed at agentic coding, tool use and computer use. The current lineup runs through Muse Spark 1.3 with a 1M token context. Standard pricing is $1.25 in and $4.25 out per million tokens, with cached input at $0.15, and the endpoint speaks OpenAI Chat Completions, Anthropic Messages and a stateful agentic format.
Example models: Muse Spark 1.3, Muse Glimmer
Full Meta profileShould you choose OpenAI or Meta?
OpenAI
Choose OpenAI for
- Production traffic that needs a longer vendor track record
- Frontier computer use on GPT-6 Astra
- Enterprise procurement through Azure or Bedrock
Meta
Choose Meta for
- Cost-sensitive coding agents at mid-tier prices
- Prototyping on the near-free Contributor tier when data sharing is fine
- Cheap image generation and transcription on one key
OpenAI vs Meta at a glance
| Attribute | OpenAI | Meta |
|---|---|---|
| Model access | Closed, plus open gpt-oss | Closed API; open Muse Glimmer |
| Flagship models | GPT-6 Astra, GPT-5.6 Sol, Terra, Luna | Muse Spark 1.3, Muse Glimmer |
| Speed | Fast mode: up to 2.5x at 2x price | ~145–233 tok/s on Muse Spark 1.3 |
| Price | $0.20–$10 in, $1.20–$50 out per 1M | $1.25 in, $4.25 out; Contributor tier cheaper |
| Customization | N/A | Open Muse Glimmer weights to fine-tune |
| Deployment | API, Azure OpenAI, Bedrock | Meta Model API (preview) |
| Long context | 1.05M; 2x input past 272K | 1M |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between OpenAI and Meta?
Two closed APIs with open-weight side models. Meta's Muse Spark is cheaper and speaks OpenAI's format; OpenAI has the track record and the frontier tier.
When should I choose OpenAI over Meta?
Production traffic that needs a longer vendor track record; Frontier computer use on GPT-6 Astra; Enterprise procurement through Azure or Bedrock.
When should I choose Meta over OpenAI?
Cost-sensitive coding agents at mid-tier prices; Prototyping on the near-free Contributor tier when data sharing is fine; Cheap image generation and transcription on one key.
Is OpenAI or Meta cheaper?
OpenAI: $0.20–$10 in, $1.20–$50 out per 1M. Meta: $1.25 in, $4.25 out; Contributor tier cheaper. The cheaper choice depends on the model and workload.
Which has more context, OpenAI or Meta?
OpenAI: 1.05M; 2x input past 272K. Meta: 1M.
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