# OpenAI vs OpenScale

> OpenAI sells closed GPT-6 models with a large tool ecosystem. OpenScale sells open DeepSeek V4.1 Flash at a fraction of the per-token price.

Canonical: https://www.subconscious.dev/compare/openai-vs-openscale · By The Subconscious Team · Updated October 11, 2026

## How they compare

OpenAI's lineup runs from GPT-6 Astra at $10 in and $50 out per million tokens down to GPT-6 Luna at $0.10 in and $0.50 out, all with a 1.05M token window. The Responses API bundles hosted search, file search, code execution and computer use, and the models are also sold through Azure and Bedrock. OpenScale serves one open model, DeepSeek V4.1 Flash, at $0.06 in and $0.24 out under a 50% promotion, over Chat Completions, Responses and Anthropic Messages endpoints.

OpenAI is the pick when frontier quality, hosted tools or an enterprise cloud contract decide the job. OpenScale is the pick for coding agents and high-volume calls where an open model is good enough and price per token matters most. Swapping the base URL in Codex or the OpenAI SDK is enough to try it.

## What each one does

### OpenAI

OpenAI runs the most widely adopted closed-model API. Its October 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 sit GPT-6.1 Sol, the default for coding, research and computer use at $2 in and $10 out, and GPT-6 Luna for high-volume jobs at $0.10 in and $0.50 out. All three carry a 1.05M token context window with up to 128K output.

### OpenScale

OpenScale is a Y Combinator-backed inference API built by LatentSpace and run out of Singapore. It sells open models behind one endpoint that speaks Chat Completions, the OpenAI Responses API and Anthropic Messages, so Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, Cline, GitHub Copilot, Zed and other coding agents can point at it with a base URL and key. Its public catalog today is DeepSeek V4.1 Flash in two versions, standard and fast, both with a 1M token context window and up to 384K output tokens.

## Which is best, and when

### Choose OpenAI for

- Frontier coding and computer use on GPT-6 Astra
- Hosted tools through the Responses API
- Procurement through Azure or Bedrock

### Choose OpenScale for

- Cheap open-model backends for Codex
- High-volume agent traffic on DeepSeek V4.1 Flash
- Teams that want zero retention by default

## At a glance

| Attribute | OpenAI | OpenScale |
|---|---|---|
| Model access | Closed, plus open gpt-oss | Open weights |
| Flagship models | GPT-6 Astra, GPT-6.1 Sol, GPT-6 Luna | DeepSeek V4.1 Flash |
| Speed | Fast mode; Ultrafast on GPT-6 Astra | 200+ tok/s; fast tier ~2x |
| Price | $0.10–$10 in, $0.50–$50 out per 1M | $0.06 in, $0.24 out (promo, DeepSeek V4.1 Flash) |
| Customization | N/A | N/A |
| Deployment | API, Azure OpenAI, Bedrock | Serverless API |
| Long context | 1.05M; 2x input past 272K | 1M context |

## FAQ

### What is the difference between OpenAI and OpenScale?

OpenAI sells closed GPT-6 models with a large tool ecosystem. OpenScale sells open DeepSeek V4.1 Flash at a fraction of the per-token price.

### When should I choose OpenAI over OpenScale?

Frontier coding and computer use on GPT-6 Astra; Hosted tools through the Responses API; Procurement through Azure or Bedrock.

### When should I choose OpenScale over OpenAI?

Cheap open-model backends for Codex; High-volume agent traffic on DeepSeek V4.1 Flash; Teams that want zero retention by default.

### Is OpenAI or OpenScale cheaper?

OpenAI: $0.10–$10 in, $0.50–$50 out per 1M. OpenScale: $0.06 in, $0.24 out (promo, DeepSeek V4.1 Flash). The cheaper choice depends on the model and workload.

### Which has more context, OpenAI or OpenScale?

OpenAI: 1.05M; 2x input past 272K. OpenScale: 1M context.

## 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 OpenScale](https://www.subconscious.dev/compare/subconscious-vs-openscale.md).

Full profiles: [OpenAI](https://www.subconscious.dev/providers/openai.md), [OpenScale](https://www.subconscious.dev/providers/openscale.md).