# gpt-5 vs qwen-3-max

> gpt-5 vs qwen-3-max: cost per 1M tokens, latency, throughput and monthly bill. qwen-3-max runs about 94% cheaper on the same workload.

Source: https://tokenomy.ai/compare/gpt-5-vs-qwen-3-max
Last updated: 2026-09-21
Publisher: Tokenomy — FinOps for AI
License: free to quote with attribution and a link to the source URL.

## Answer

On a 1,500-input, 500-output call at 10,000 calls a day, gpt-5 costs about $3,150 a month and qwen-3-max about $180 — qwen-3-max is roughly 94% cheaper than gpt-5. gpt-5 lists $12.00 per 1M output tokens against qwen-3-max at $0.60.

gpt-5 costs $3.00/1M in and $12.00/1M out; qwen-3-max costs $0.20/1M in and $0.60/1M out.

## Price per 1M tokens

gpt-5: input $3.00, output $12.00. qwen-3-max: input $0.20, output $0.60.

- Monthly at 10,000 calls/day — gpt-5: $3,150, qwen-3-max: $180
- Monthly at 100,000 calls/day — gpt-5: $31,500, qwen-3-max: $1,800
- Time to first token — gpt-5: 250 ms, qwen-3-max: 350 ms
- Throughput — gpt-5: 180 tok/s, qwen-3-max: 35 tok/s

## Which one to run

If your workload tolerates qwen-3-max's quality, the saving is immediate. If it does not, route: send the easy calls to qwen-3-max and keep gpt-5 for the hard ones.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is gpt-5 cheaper than qwen-3-max?

qwen-3-max is cheaper. At 10,000 calls a day with 1,500 input and 500 output tokens, gpt-5 costs about $3,150 a month and qwen-3-max about $180.

### What is the price difference between gpt-5 and qwen-3-max?

About 94% on the same workload, using list prices with no caching or batch discounts.

## Related pages

- [Scan your AI spend free](https://tokenomy.ai/waste)
- [All comparisons](https://tokenomy.ai/compare)
- [gpt-5 pricing](https://tokenomy.ai/models/gpt-5)
- [qwen-3-max pricing](https://tokenomy.ai/models/qwen-3-max)
- [Same model, different hosts](https://tokenomy.ai/endpoints)