Gemini vs Claude vs GPT (2026): Cost, Models, and Use Cases

Last updated: July 21, 2026.

Choosing between Gemini, Claude, and GPT is mostly a workflow decision. The practical question is which model should handle the next turn: the cheapest pass, the file-heavy step, the rewrite, or the research handoff.

This guide reflects the current magicdoor.ai model list: 15 chat models across 6 providers. For the full pricing table, see /resources/getting-started/model-cost.

TL;DR: Quick Picks

• Lowest listed chat pricing overall: MiniMax M3 at $0.30 / $1.20 per 1M input/output tokens in the broader magicdoor.ai chat selector.
• Lowest among Gemini, Claude, and GPT: Gemini 3 Flash at $0.50 / $3 per 1M input/output tokens.
• Lowest-cost OpenAI option: GPT-5.6 Luna at $1 / $6.
• OpenAI code interpreter workflows: GPT-5.6 Luna or GPT-5.6 Sol, because code interpreter is available on OpenAI models.
• Claude drafting and review workflow: Move from Claude Haiku 4.5 to Claude Sonnet 5, Claude Opus 5, or Claude Fable 5 as the task justifies a higher price.
• Current web research: Perplexity Reasoning or Deep Research (pplx), then switch back for synthesis.

Current Model Pricing at a Glance

All prices below are per 1M input/output tokens.

That is the full current magicdoor.ai chat selector: 15 chat models across 6 providers.

When to Choose Each Family

Google Gemini: Gemini 3 Flash and Gemini 3.1 Pro

Start with Gemini 3 Flash when cost is the deciding factor within the Gemini, Claude, and GPT families. It is the lowest-priced model in those three families, so it is a sensible first pass for summaries, extraction, classification, quick drafting, and routine back-and-forth.

Move to Gemini 3.1 Pro when you want to stay in the Google family for a higher-priced turn.

OpenAI GPT: GPT-5.6 Sol and GPT-5.6 Luna

Start with GPT-5.6 Luna at $1 / $6 when you want the lowest-cost OpenAI model. Use the OpenAI family when the task benefits from code interpreter, since that feature is available on OpenAI models on magicdoor.ai.

Use GPT-5.6 Sol at $5 / $30 when you want the higher-priced OpenAI option for code interpreter work or a turn where you specifically want to stay with OpenAI.

Anthropic Claude: Haiku 4.5, Sonnet 5, Opus 5, and Fable 5

Claude gives you four clear price tiers:

1. Claude Haiku 4.5 at $1 / $5
2. Claude Sonnet 5 at $2 / $10
3. Claude Opus 5 at $5 / $25
4. Claude Fable 5 at $10 / $50

That makes Claude easy to use as an editing and review ladder: begin with Haiku for low-cost drafts, switch to Sonnet for a more expensive pass, and reserve Opus or Fable for turns where the extra cost is justified.

Perplexity, xAI, and Together AI Options

Use Perplexity Reasoning or Deep Research (pplx) when the answer depends on current web facts. Both add $5 per 1K requests on top of token pricing, so they are best for the research step rather than every ordinary message.

The broader selector also includes Grok 4.5, GLM-5.2, DeepSeek V4 Pro, MiniMax M3, and Kimi K2.7 Code. MiniMax M3 is the lowest listed chat model overall at $0.30 / $1.20 per 1M input/output tokens. These options are useful when you want to compare model behavior or keep a lower-cost alternative in the same conversation without opening a separate subscription.

A Practical Switching Workflow

The most useful magicdoor.ai workflow is not picking one model forever. It is using a lower-cost model that fits the next step:

1. Start with Gemini 3 Flash or GPT-5.6 Luna for an inexpensive first pass.
2. Switch to Claude Sonnet 5 when the next turn is mainly rewriting, restructuring, or careful review.
3. Switch to GPT-5.6 Luna or GPT-5.6 Sol when the task needs OpenAI code interpreter support.
4. Use Perplexity Reasoning or Deep Research (pplx) for current facts.
5. Escalate to Claude Opus 5, Claude Fable 5, Gemini 3.1 Pro, or another higher-priced model only for the turns that justify it.

That approach matches the product model: a $6/month base subscription with $1 in included credits, usage-based pricing on top, model switching mid-conversation, live cost monitoring, no rate limits or cooldowns, and auto model switching.

Cost Example: Same Token Mix, Different Models

For a month with 100k input tokens and 300k output tokens, the usage cost before the base subscription would be:

The point is not that one model wins every task. The point is that routine turns and premium turns do not need to cost the same.

FAQ

Which model family is cheapest on magicdoor.ai?

Among the Gemini, Claude, and GPT families, Gemini 3 Flash has the lowest listed per-token pricing at $0.50 / $3 per 1M input/output tokens. The broader magicdoor.ai chat selector also includes MiniMax M3 at $0.30 / $1.20, which is the lowest listed chat pricing overall.

Which model should I use for writing and editing?

Start with Claude Sonnet 5 or Claude Haiku 4.5 for drafting and rewriting. Switch to GPT-5.6 Luna or GPT-5.6 Sol if you need OpenAI code interpreter support, or to Gemini 3 Flash when cost matters most.

Do I need separate subscriptions for Gemini, Claude, and GPT?

No. magicdoor.ai lets you use the listed Gemini, Claude, GPT, and other chat models in one place with a $6/month base subscription, $1 in included credits, and usage-based pricing on top.