kitio.aiOpenAI API vs Custom Vision
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. OpenAI API starts at See pricing page and Custom Vision starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Responses API
- Agents SDK
- Realtime voice API
- Image and audio models
- Batch API
- Fine-tuning and evals
- Image classification training
- Object detection models
- Assisted image tagging
- Model evaluation in the portal
- REST prediction API
| Feature | OpenAI API | Custom Vision |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Developer API for GPT, reasoning, image, audio and embedding models | Microsoft service for training custom image recognition models |
| Category | Models & APIs | Models & APIs |
| Pricing model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting price | See pricing page | See pricing page |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Made by | OpenAI | Microsoft |
| Based in | United States | United States |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
OpenAI API starts at See pricing page and Custom Vision starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
3 plans
GPT-6 Luna
$0.10 / $0.50 per 1M tokens
- Input / output
- Fast, low-cost model
- 1.05M context
GPT-6.1 Sol
$2 / $10 per 1M tokens
- Input / output
- Balanced model
- 1.05M context
GPT-6 Astra
$10 / $50 per 1M tokens
- Input / output
- Most capable model
- 1.05M context
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
OpenAI API
- Wide model range in one API
- Mature SDKs and docs
- Built-in tools like web search
- Top models are costly at scale
- Rate limits depend on spend tier
- Model names change frequently
Custom Vision
- Needs only a few labeled images
- No machine learning expertise required
- Backed by Azure infrastructure
- Requires an Azure account
- Portal looks dated
- Limited to image tasks
Which one should you choose?
Choose OpenAI API if you want:
- Wide model range in one API
- Mature SDKs and docs
- Built-in tools like web search
Watch out: top models are costly at scale.
Choose Custom Vision if you want:
- Needs only a few labeled images
- No machine learning expertise required
- Backed by Azure infrastructure
Watch out: requires an azure account.
OpenAI API vs Custom Vision FAQ
What is the difference between OpenAI API and Custom Vision?
OpenAI API: Developer API for GPT, reasoning, image, audio and embedding models. Custom Vision: Microsoft service for training custom image recognition models. Both are models & apis tools.
Is OpenAI API or Custom Vision cheaper?
OpenAI API starts at See pricing page and Custom Vision starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do OpenAI API and Custom Vision have free plans?
OpenAI API: No. Custom Vision: Yes.
Who makes OpenAI API?
OpenAI API is made by OpenAI, based in United States.
Who makes Custom Vision?
Custom Vision is made by Microsoft, based in United States.
Which should I choose, OpenAI API or Custom Vision?
Choose OpenAI API if you value wide model range in one api and mature sdks and docs. Choose Custom Vision if you value needs only a few labeled images and no machine learning expertise required.