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OpenAI vs Nebius
OpenAI's closed GPT API against a European AI cloud with open-model inference and raw GPUs. Data residency and control over weights tilt buyers toward Nebius.
By The Subconscious Team · Updated
OpenAI vs Nebius: key differences
Nebius answers a question OpenAI's listing leaves open: where the data sits. Its Token Factory serves 60+ open models, including GPT-OSS, Llama, Qwen, DeepSeek, GLM and Kimi, with dedicated endpoints that offer optional EU or US placement and a 99.9% SLA. OpenAI serves through its own API, Azure OpenAI and Bedrock. Nebius token prices start at $0.06 per million input tokens, and a team can upload a fine-tuned checkpoint and serve it at the same token pricing. OpenAI's pitch is the model itself: GPT-6 Astra and the GPT-5.6 family, which only OpenAI and its cloud partners carry.
Nebius also sells raw NVIDIA GPUs, from H100s at $2.15 an hour preemptible up to GB300 NVL72 racks, so a team can grow from tokens into training on one account. OpenAI's listing has no compute offer to match. The costs of Nebius are smaller frictions: no free trial, a $25 minimum first payment, and a catalog smaller than some open-model rivals. For a European enterprise that must keep workloads in-region on open models, Nebius fits. For a product that needs closed frontier quality and hosted tools, OpenAI does.
What OpenAI and Nebius 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 profileNebius
Nebius is an Amsterdam-headquartered AI cloud and the strongest European alternative to the US hyperscalers. It sells raw NVIDIA GPU compute, from H100s at $2.15 an hour preemptible up to GB300 NVL72 racks, and it has begun adding Vera Rubin. Hyperscale buyers back it: a Microsoft capacity deal worth about $17.4B in September 2025, then a Meta agreement worth up to about $27B in March 2026.
Example models: DeepSeek V3, GPT-OSS
Full Nebius profileShould you choose OpenAI or Nebius?
OpenAI
Choose OpenAI for
- Closed frontier models with hosted tools
- Teams that want no infrastructure at all
- Long-context agents up to 1.05M tokens
Nebius
Choose Nebius for
- European enterprises that need EU data placement
- Serving uploaded fine-tunes on dedicated endpoints with a 99.9% SLA
- Growing from token inference into GPU training on one account
OpenAI vs Nebius at a glance
| Attribute | OpenAI | Nebius |
|---|---|---|
| Model access | Closed, plus open gpt-oss | Open weights, 60+ models |
| Flagship models | GPT-6 Astra, GPT-5.6 Sol, Terra, Luna | DeepSeek, Qwen, GLM, Kimi, GPT-OSS |
| Speed | Fast mode: up to 2.5x at 2x price | Among top hosts on throughput |
| Price | $0.20–$10 in, $1.20–$50 out per 1M | From $0.06 per 1M input |
| Customization | N/A | Serve uploaded fine-tunes |
| Deployment | API, Azure OpenAI, Bedrock | Token Factory, dedicated, raw GPUs |
| Long context | 1.05M; 2x input past 272K | Varies by model |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between OpenAI and Nebius?
OpenAI's closed GPT API against a European AI cloud with open-model inference and raw GPUs. Data residency and control over weights tilt buyers toward Nebius.
When should I choose OpenAI over Nebius?
Closed frontier models with hosted tools; Teams that want no infrastructure at all; Long-context agents up to 1.05M tokens.
When should I choose Nebius over OpenAI?
European enterprises that need EU data placement; Serving uploaded fine-tunes on dedicated endpoints with a 99.9% SLA; Growing from token inference into GPU training on one account.
Is OpenAI or Nebius cheaper?
OpenAI: $0.20–$10 in, $1.20–$50 out per 1M. Nebius: From $0.06 per 1M input. The cheaper choice depends on the model and workload.
Which has more context, OpenAI or Nebius?
OpenAI: 1.05M; 2x input past 272K. Nebius: Varies by model.
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