Anthropic and OpenAI unveiled their new generations of artificial intelligence models on September 22. The timing isn't the only thing they have in common: both companies are pushing the same commercial argument, offering more capability at a noticeably lower price.
For businesses that pay per use through the API, bills could drop between 40% and 50%, according to figures published by each company. The move comes at a time when the cost of integrating AI into work processes has become a decisive factor for many organizations.
Claude Opus 5.5: the same power for less money
Anthropic has launched Claude Opus 5.5 as the first model in its new 5.5 family. The company claims its performance matches that of Claude Fable 5.1, previously its most powerful model, but at a usage cost 40% lower than its direct predecessor, Opus 5.
Price and features
The new price for Opus 5.5 is $4 per million input tokens and $20 per million output tokens. Previously, Opus 5 cost $5 and $25 respectively. Tokens are the text units processed by the AI, and they form the basis for calculating the cost of each query.
Anthropic states that Opus 5.5 responds more than 30% faster than its predecessor and needs fewer tokens to complete the same task, which pushes the real savings up to the announced 40%. The company also highlights a more direct response style, free of unnecessary jargon and respecting whatever writing guidelines the user sets.
Anthropic has confirmed that two lighter versions of this family will arrive in the coming weeks: Claude Sonnet 5.5 and Claude Haiku 5.5.
GPT-6 Sol and GPT-6 Luna: OpenAI cuts prices in half
OpenAI has expanded its GPT-6 family with two models aimed at everyday use in work environments: GPT-6 Sol, a mid-tier model, and GPT-6 Luna, the more affordable option. According to the specialized outlet The New Stack, both cost half as much as their predecessors.
An OpenAI spokesperson confirmed that this is not a temporary launch offer, but the definitive price for these models.
OpenAI’s new prices
GPT-6 Sol now costs $2 per million input tokens and $10 per million output tokens, down from the previous $4 and $20. GPT-6 Luna, meanwhile, is priced at $0.10 for input and $0.50 for output, compared to $0.20 and $1.20 before.
These models are available in ChatGPT Work and in Codex for Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise and Edu plans. Users on the free and Go tiers can access Luna through the desktop app. The rollout is happening gradually.
Price comparison per million tokens
Claude Opus 5.5 costs $4 for input and $20 for output. GPT-6 Sol comes in at $2 for input and $10 for output. GPT-6 Luna is the most affordable, at $0.10 for input and $0.50 for output.
Even with the discount, Opus 5.5 still costs twice as much per token as GPT-6 Sol, as The New Stack points out. Anthropic argues that this difference is offset because its model requires fewer tokens to complete the same task, which would lower the final cost.
What changes for users of these tools
Users who pay a monthly subscription to ChatGPT or Claude won't see any change in their fee. The change will mainly be noticeable in the response speed of the new models. Anthropic has also expanded usage limits on its Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans.
Those who connect these AI systems to their own tools and pay per use will see a direct effect: the same task now costs between 40% and 50% less than before. For these businesses, this is a good time to review current spending and consider whether cheaper models, such as Luna or the upcoming Haiku 5.5, are sufficient for simpler day-to-day tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
When were Claude Opus 5.5, GPT-6 Sol and GPT-6 Luna launched?
All three models were unveiled on the same day, September 22, 2026, by Anthropic and OpenAI respectively.
How much has the price of Claude Opus 5.5 dropped?
According to Anthropic, total savings when using Opus 5.5 compared to Opus 5 amount to 40%, thanks to a lower per-token price and reduced token consumption per task.
How much does it cost to use GPT-6 Sol and GPT-6 Luna?
GPT-6 Sol costs $2 per million input tokens and $10 per million output tokens. GPT-6 Luna costs $0.10 for input and $0.50 for output per million tokens.
Does the price cut affect monthly ChatGPT or Claude subscriptions?
No. Users with a monthly subscription won't see any changes to their fee. The cut mainly affects pay-per-use through the API, though they will also notice speed improvements.
Is this a temporary offer from OpenAI?
No. An OpenAI spokesperson confirmed that the new prices for GPT-6 Sol and GPT-6 Luna are permanent and not part of a launch promotion.
Which model is cheaper, Claude Opus 5.5 or GPT-6 Sol?
GPT-6 Sol is cheaper per token: Claude Opus 5.5 still costs twice as much per million tokens as GPT-6 Sol, although Anthropic maintains that its model makes up for that difference by needing fewer tokens per task.
What new models will Anthropic launch soon?
Anthropic has announced that Claude Sonnet 5.5 and Claude Haiku 5.5, lighter versions of the 5.5 family, will arrive in the coming weeks.
