OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b vs MiniMax: MiniMax M2: Which AI Model Is Better?
Updated March 24, 2026· Based on independent benchmark data
Quick Verdict
MiniMax: MiniMax M2 leads in intelligence with a score of 49.6 vs 33.3. OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b is 6.5x cheaper at $0.04/1M tokens vs $0.26/1M. For speed, OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b wins at 289 tok/s vs 44 tok/s.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Metric | OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b | MiniMax: MiniMax M2 |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Score | 33.3 | 49.6 |
| Coding Score | 28.6 | 41.9 |
| Math Score | 93.4 | N/A |
| Speed (tok/s) | 289 tok/s | 44 tok/s |
| Latency (TTFT) | 0.49s | 2.03s |
| Input Price / 1M tokens | $0.04 | $0.26 |
| Output Price / 1M tokens | $0.19 | $1.00 |
| Context Window | 131K | 197K |
| Max Output Tokens | N/A | 197K |
| Input Modalities | Text | Text |
| Output Modalities | Text | Text |
| Free Tier | No | No |
Detailed Analysis
Intelligence & Quality
MiniMax: MiniMax M2 outperforms OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b on the Artificial Analysis intelligence index with a score of 49.6 compared to 33.3. For coding tasks, MiniMax: MiniMax M2 has the edge with a coding score of 41.9 vs 28.6.
Speed & Latency
OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b generates output significantly faster at 289 tok/s compared to MiniMax: MiniMax M2's 44 tok/s, making it 6.6x faster for streaming responses. Time to first token is 0.49s for OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b vs 2.03s for MiniMax: MiniMax M2, which affects perceived responsiveness in interactive applications.
Pricing
OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b is more affordable at $0.04/1M input tokens ($0.19/1M output), while MiniMax: MiniMax M2 costs $0.26/1M input ($1.00/1M output). That makes MiniMax: MiniMax M2 6.5x more expensive per token, which can add up significantly at scale. For a typical workload of 100 requests per day at 2,000 tokens each, OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b would cost approximately $0.23/month vs $1.53/month for MiniMax: MiniMax M2 in input costs alone.
Context Window
MiniMax: MiniMax M2 offers a larger context window at 197K tokens compared to OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b's 131K.
Best Use Cases
Choose OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b when you need faster output (289 tok/s), lower cost. Choose MiniMax: MiniMax M2 when you need higher intelligence (49.6), stronger coding performance (41.9).
Choose OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b if:
- ✓You need faster throughput (289 tok/s vs 44 tok/s)
- ✓You want lower latency (0.49s vs 2.03s TTFT)
- ✓Budget is a concern ($0.04/1M vs $0.26/1M)
Choose MiniMax: MiniMax M2 if:
- ✓You need higher intelligence (score: 49.6 vs 33.3)
- ✓You prioritize coding performance (score: 41.9 vs 28.6)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b better than MiniMax: MiniMax M2 for coding?
MiniMax: MiniMax M2 scores higher on coding benchmarks (41.9 vs 28.6), making it the better choice for programming tasks.
Which is cheaper, OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b or MiniMax: MiniMax M2?
OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b is cheaper at $0.04/1M input tokens vs $0.26/1M for MiniMax: MiniMax M2.
Is OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b faster than MiniMax: MiniMax M2?
OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b is faster, producing output at 289 tok/s compared to MiniMax: MiniMax M2's 44 tok/s.
Can OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b process images?
No, OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b does not support image input. Neither model supports image input.
Which has a larger context window, OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b or MiniMax: MiniMax M2?
MiniMax: MiniMax M2 has a larger context window at 197K compared to OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b's 131K.
Should I use OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b or MiniMax: MiniMax M2?
It depends on your priorities. MiniMax: MiniMax M2 scores higher on intelligence (49.6), but OpenAI: gpt-oss-120b may be better for specific use cases like budget-conscious projects or speed-critical applications.
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Benchmark data by Artificial Analysis
Data last synced: March 24, 2026