GPT-5.1-Codex vs Qwen3 Coder Plus: which should you choose in 2026?
GPT-5.1-Codex (by OpenAI) and Qwen3 Coder Plus (by Qwen) are compared below. Here is how they stack up on benchmarks, price, and capabilities, and which one to pick in 2026.
There are not enough shared, protocol-compatible benchmark results to declare a performance leader.
At least one model uses context-dependent token-pricing tiers, so the published base rates do not support an unconditional blended price comparison.
Qwen3 Coder Plus has the larger context window (1,000,000 tokens vs 400,000 tokens).
Choose GPT-5.1-Codex if…
- • you need image inputs
Choose Qwen3 Coder Plus if…
- • you work with longer documents, transcripts, or codebases
The benchmark count includes only results measured with a matching benchmark version and protocol. Arena scores are shown separately. Missing, preliminary, and incompatible data is not treated as a controlled win. Published point-score comparisons are labeled separately when protocol details are incomplete. For text-output models, the verdict also compares token pricing and context windows.
Performance benchmarks
Every value links to its source. A dash means that no reviewed result is available for that exact model and protocol.
| Benchmark | GPT-5.1-Codex | Qwen3 Coder Plus |
|---|---|---|
A 657-task benchmark of multi-step work across simulated SaaS applications in six business domains. The Artificial Analysis protocol reports a guardrail-aware score and is distinct from both the public Zapier split and the unrelated dynamic AutoBench framework. Guardrail-aware score | — | — |
A benchmark of difficult, verifiable information-seeking questions designed to measure an agent's ability to locate hard-to-find facts through web browsing. Accuracy | — | — |
A verified computer-use benchmark in which multimodal agents operate desktop applications and are graded from the resulting environment state. Mean task reward | — | — |
A human-validated subset of real GitHub issues used to measure whether a coding agent can produce repository patches that resolve the associated tests. Resolved | 66.0% SWE-bench | — |
Version 2.1 of the benchmark for completing realistic tasks in terminal environments. Harness, resource limits, and attempt count are part of the protocol. Mean task success | — | — |
A dynamic LLM evaluation framework in which models generate questions, answer them, and participate in reciprocal peer assessment. AutoBench is distinct from Zapier's AutomationBench. Weighted peer-assessment score | — | — |
The highest-quality subset of Graduate-Level Google-Proof Q&A, designed to test expert-level scientific reasoning in biology, physics, and chemistry. Accuracy | — | — |
A 2,500-question expert-level benchmark spanning dozens of academic fields. Tool-assisted and no-tools results are separate protocols and must not be merged. Accuracy | — | — |
| Arena preference scores | ||
Human preference score for code and web development | 1336 ±12 | — |
Benchmark sources
Reviewed evidence last updated 2026-08-09. Arena data last refreshed Aug 18, 2026.
Pricing, capabilities, and model facts
| Feature | GPT-5.1-Codex | Qwen3 Coder Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Context & model facts | ||
| Developer | OpenAI | Qwen |
| API provider | OpenAI | Qwen |
| Input context | 400,000 tokens | 1,000,000 tokens |
| Maximum output | 128,000 tokens | 65,536 tokens |
| Released | — | — |
| Added to Writingmate | Nov 13, 2025 | Sep 23, 2025 |
| License | Not available | Not available |
| Knowledge cutoff | — | 2025-06-30 |
| Capabilities | ||
| Inputs | Text, Image | Text |
| Outputs | Text | Text |
| Provider endpoint accepts tool parameters | Yes | Yes |
| Reasoning | Yes | Yes |
| Vision | Yes | No |
| Image Generation | No | No |
| Video Generation | No | No |
| API pricing | ||
| Base input (per 1M tokens) | $1.25 | $0.65 |
| Base output (per 1M tokens) | $10.00 | $3.25 |
| Higher-context pricing tiers | Base rate only |
|
| Price-comparison caveat | At least one model changes token rates above a prompt-token threshold. Base rates are shown, but an unconditional blended price ratio would not be like-for-like. | |
| API performance | ||
| p95 latency | Not measured | Not measured |
| Output throughput | Not measured | Not measured |
| Writingmate shows API performance only when both models have enough observations from the same measurement window, prompt profile, and provider. Third-party latency values are not copied into this table. | ||
Data sources
- Writingmate model catalog (pricing, limits, and availability)
Catalog data last updated Nov 13, 2025.
Why Pay for Multiple Subscriptions?
Comparing GPT-5.1-Codex from OpenAI with Qwen3 Coder Plus from Qwen? Instead of managing separate API keys and subscriptions, get both with Writingmate.
| Plan | Price | GPT-5.1-Codex | Qwen3 Coder Plus | AI Images | AI Video |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Writingmate Pro Most popular | $20/mo | Included | Included | Nano Banana Pro, FLUX.2, DALL-E & more | Sora 2, VEO 3.1 |
Writingmate Ultimate Power users | $60/mo | Included | Included | Nano Banana Pro, FLUX.2, DALL-E & more | Sora 2, VEO 3.1 |
GPT-5.1-Codex vs Qwen3 Coder Plus FAQ
Which is better, GPT-5.1-Codex or Qwen3 Coder Plus?
There are not enough shared, protocol-compatible benchmark results to declare a performance leader. At least one model uses context-dependent token-pricing tiers, so the published base rates do not support an unconditional blended price comparison. Qwen3 Coder Plus has the larger context window (1,000,000 tokens vs 400,000 tokens).
Which model is cheaper to use through an API?
At least one model uses context-dependent token-pricing tiers, so the published base rates do not support an unconditional blended price comparison.
Which model supports more context?
Qwen3 Coder Plus has the larger context window (1,000,000 tokens vs 400,000 tokens).
Can I switch between GPT-5.1-Codex and Qwen3 Coder Plus?
Yes. Use the model selector on this page to open any current Writingmate model comparison. You can also run the same prompt with both models in Writingmate.
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