kitio.aiOpenAI API vs Microsoft Foundry
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 Microsoft Foundry 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
- Model catalog
- Azure OpenAI deployments
- Foundry Agent Service
- Evaluations and tracing
- Content safety
| Feature | OpenAI API | Microsoft Foundry |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Developer API for GPT, reasoning, image, audio and embedding models | Microsoft's AI platform for OpenAI and other models, formerly Azure AI Foundry |
| Category | Models & APIs | Models & APIs |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | See pricing page | See pricing page |
| Free plan | No | No |
| 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 Microsoft Foundry 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
Microsoft Foundry
- Enterprise access to OpenAI models
- Deep Microsoft 365 and Azure ties
- Strong compliance features
- Frequent renames confuse buyers
- Portal has a learning curve
- Regional model availability varies
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 Microsoft Foundry if you want:
- Enterprise access to OpenAI models
- Deep Microsoft 365 and Azure ties
- Strong compliance features
Watch out: frequent renames confuse buyers.
OpenAI API vs Microsoft Foundry FAQ
What is the difference between OpenAI API and Microsoft Foundry?
OpenAI API: Developer API for GPT, reasoning, image, audio and embedding models. Microsoft Foundry: Microsoft's AI platform for OpenAI and other models, formerly Azure AI Foundry. Both are models & apis tools.
Is OpenAI API or Microsoft Foundry cheaper?
OpenAI API starts at See pricing page and Microsoft Foundry starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do OpenAI API and Microsoft Foundry have free plans?
OpenAI API: No. Microsoft Foundry: No.
Who makes OpenAI API?
OpenAI API is made by OpenAI, based in United States.
Who makes Microsoft Foundry?
Microsoft Foundry is made by Microsoft, based in United States.
Which should I choose, OpenAI API or Microsoft Foundry?
Choose OpenAI API if you value wide model range in one api and mature sdks and docs. Choose Microsoft Foundry if you value enterprise access to openai models and deep microsoft 365 and azure ties.