Best AI for reasoning in 2026

A ranked comparison of AI models for reasoning, based on May 2026 benchmarks (artificialanalysis.ai). Compare AI models side by side in Admix, the multi model AI chat aggregator.

TL;DR top pick

Best general reasoning index in May 2026.

Ranked: top 8 AI models for reasoning

#	Score	Input $/M
1	78.4	$5.00
2	76.9	$15.00
3	75.6	$2.50
4	73.9	$3.00
5	72.8	$0.27
6	72.1	$0.50
7	71.5	$0.90
8	70.4	$0.60

Watch: best AI for reasoning

Why these models win for reasoning

Best general reasoning index in May 2026.

Close second with stronger long-context reasoning.

Largest practical context window. Strong multimodal grounding

Fastest tokens per second among flagships. Real-time web grounding

Cheapest frontier-class pricing. Solid coding performance

How to compare them in Admix

Admix is a multi model AI chat aggregator. Send one prompt, see answers from GPT-5, Claude Opus 4.7, and every other frontier model side by side. One subscription, no per-vendor API juggling.

FAQ

What is the best free AI for reasoning?

Among free-tier options, Gemini 3 Flash and DeepSeek V4 Pro give the strongest results on reasoning without a paid plan. Admix lets you compare them side by side.

Is GPT-5 better than Claude Opus 4.7 for reasoning?

In May 2026 benchmarks (artificialanalysis.ai), GPT-5 ranks first for reasoning and Claude Opus 4.7 ranks second. The gap is small enough that the right pick depends on your context length, budget, and tone preference.

How much does the best AI for reasoning cost?

GPT-5 costs $5.00 per million input tokens and $20.00 per million output tokens. With Admix you pay one subscription and use it alongside every other model in one multi model AI chat.