GPT-5 vs Claude Haiku 4.5 for coding: which is better in 2026?
A head-to-head look at GPT-5 and Claude Haiku 4.5 for coding. Benchmarks via artificialanalysis.ai, pricing as of May 2026. Compare AI models like these inside Admix.
Quick verdict
For coding in May 2026, GPT-5 edges out Claude Haiku 4.5 on the codingIndex metric. Excellent reasoning about architecture and edge cases.
Side-by-side specs
| Spec | GPT-5 | Haiku |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence index | 78.4 | 65.8 |
| Coding index | 76.1 | 66.2 |
| Context window | 400K tokens | 500K tokens |
| Speed (tok/s) | 142 | 205 |
| Input $/M | $5.00 | $0.80 |
| Output $/M | $20.00 | $4.00 |
| Released | Aug 7, 2025 | Mar 19, 2026 |
How they handle coding
GPT-5: Excellent reasoning about architecture and edge cases.
Claude Haiku 4.5: Cheap Claude quality for everyday tasks. The main caveat is not as strong as opus on agentic coding.
Cost per 1,000 queries
Assuming 1,500 input and 800 output tokens per query:
- GPT-5: $23.50 per 1,000 queries
- Claude Haiku 4.5: $4.40 per 1,000 queries
Verdict by sub-task
- Best raw quality on coding:
- Best price: Claude Haiku 4.5
- Longest context: Claude Haiku 4.5
- Fastest: Claude Haiku 4.5
FAQ
Is GPT-5 better than Claude Haiku 4.5 for coding?
On May 2026 benchmarks (artificialanalysis.ai), GPT-5 ranks higher than Claude Haiku 4.5 for coding on the codingIndex metric. The gap is small enough that the choice often comes down to price, context length, and tone.
Which is cheaper, GPT-5 or Claude Haiku 4.5?
GPT-5 costs $5.00 input and $20.00 output per million tokens. Claude Haiku 4.5 costs $0.80 input and $4.00 output per million tokens.
Can I use both GPT-5 and Haiku in one app?
Yes. Admix is a multi model AI chat aggregator that lets you run GPT-5 and Claude Haiku 4.5 side by side under one subscription.
Sources
Benchmarks from artificialanalysis.ai (May 2026).
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