GPT-5 Mini vs Whisper XL
Comprehensive side-by-side comparison of pricing, performance benchmarks, and capabilities
At a Glance
Best Overall Performance
GPT-5 Mini
Higher overall benchmarks
Best for Coding
GPT-5 Mini
85% coding score
Best for Reasoning
GPT-5 Mini
85.5% reasoning score
Best MMLU Score
GPT-5 Mini
86% general knowledge
Compare Different Models
Detailed Comparison
| Feature | GPT-5 Mini | Whisper XL | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provider | OpenAI | OpenAI | — |
| Context Window | 64k | n/a | — |
|
MMLU Score
General knowledge & reasoning | 86% | 0% | GPT-5 Mini |
|
Coding Score
Code generation & debugging | 85% | 0% | GPT-5 Mini |
|
Reasoning Score
Logic & problem-solving | 85.5% | 0% | GPT-5 Mini |
| Release Date | 2026 | 2024 | — |
| Vision Support | ✓ Yes | — | — |
| Function Calling | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | — |
Performance Comparison
MMLU (General Knowledge)
Difference: 86.0%Coding Performance
Difference: 85.0%Reasoning & Logic
Difference: 85.5%Expert Analysis
Performance Analysis
GPT-5 Mini achieves superior scores across 3 of 3 key benchmarks, including coding (85%), demonstrating stronger general capabilities.
Final Verdict
Our comprehensive recommendation based on all factors
GPT-5 Mini demonstrates superior coding capabilities with a 85.0-point advantage, making it the stronger choice for software development tasks. Enterprise teams requiring maximum accuracy should invest in GPT-5 Mini for demanding workloads and complex tasks.
Our Recommendation
Enterprise teams and applications requiring maximum accuracy should choose GPT-5 Mini for mission-critical deployments where performance is paramount.
Best For These Use Cases
GPT-5 Mini Excels At:
- Chatbots
- Lightweight assistants
- Semantic search
- Content summarization
- Low-cost production AI
Whisper XL Excels At:
- Transcription services
- Podcast/audio processing
- Voice assistants
- Meeting transcription
- Research audio analysis
Strengths & Weaknesses
GPT-5 Mini
Strengths
- • Cost-efficient
- • Good reasoning and chat
- • Multimodal support
- • Fast inference
Considerations
- • Smaller context
- • Not as strong for large-scale reasoning
- • Closed weights
- • Limited fine-tuning
Whisper XL
Strengths
- • High-accuracy transcription
- • Multilingual support
- • Fast inference
- • Open-source access
Considerations
- • No reasoning
- • Audio-only
- • Compute-intensive for long recordings
- • Limited enterprise features
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better: GPT-5 Mini or Whisper XL?
GPT-5 Mini offers superior overall performance with higher benchmark scores across MMLU, coding, and reasoning tests. The best choice depends on your specific use case requirements and performance priorities.
What are the key differences?
GPT-5 Mini leads in overall performance with higher benchmark scores, while Whisper XL may offer advantages in specific areas like context window size or specialized capabilities. Both models have their strengths depending on your particular needs.
Which is better for coding?
GPT-5 Mini leads in coding performance with a score of 85%, making it 85.0 percentage points ahead of Whisper XL. This makes GPT-5 Mini the superior choice for software development, code generation, and debugging tasks.
Can I use both models together?
Yes! Many organizations use multiple models strategically: one model for routine tasks where efficiency matters, and another for complex, mission-critical applications requiring maximum accuracy. This hybrid approach optimizes both performance and resource utilization across different use cases.
How often are these benchmarks updated?
We update all benchmark scores and pricing data daily to reflect the latest model versions and API pricing changes. Benchmark scores are sourced from official documentation, independent testing platforms like Artificial Analysis, and peer-reviewed academic evaluations. Last updated: 2/2/2026.
Ready to Get Started?
Choose the AI model that best fits your needs and budget
Or compare other models to find your perfect match