kitio.aiOpenAI API vs Upstage
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 Upstage 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
- Solar Pro and Mini LLMs
- Document Parse
- Information Extract
- Upstage Studio agents
- On-premise deployment
- Cloud marketplace listings
| Feature | OpenAI API | Upstage |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Developer API for GPT, reasoning, image, audio and embedding models | Solar LLMs and document AI for parsing and extracting business data |
| Category | Models & APIs | Models & APIs |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | See pricing page | See pricing page |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Made by | OpenAI | Upstage |
| Based in | United States | South Korea |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
|
Pricing compared
OpenAI API starts at See pricing page and Upstage 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
Upstage
- Strong parsing for messy documents
- Several deployment options
- Compact model for cheap agent workloads
- Pricing is spread across several pages
- Aimed at enterprise buyers
- On-prem and marketplace deals go through sales
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 Upstage if you want:
- Strong parsing for messy documents
- Several deployment options
- Compact model for cheap agent workloads
Watch out: pricing is spread across several pages.
OpenAI API vs Upstage FAQ
What is the difference between OpenAI API and Upstage?
OpenAI API: Developer API for GPT, reasoning, image, audio and embedding models. Upstage: Solar LLMs and document AI for parsing and extracting business data. Both are models & apis tools.
Is OpenAI API or Upstage cheaper?
OpenAI API starts at See pricing page and Upstage starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do OpenAI API and Upstage have free plans?
OpenAI API: No. Upstage: No.
Who makes OpenAI API?
OpenAI API is made by OpenAI, based in United States.
Who makes Upstage?
Upstage is made by Upstage, based in South Korea.
Which should I choose, OpenAI API or Upstage?
Choose OpenAI API if you value wide model range in one api and mature sdks and docs. Choose Upstage if you value strong parsing for messy documents and several deployment options.