Overview
GPT-3.5 Turbo is OpenAI's fastest model. It can understand and generate natural language or code, and is optimized for chat and traditional completion tasks. Training data up to Sep 2021.
Our take
Developers building agent-style workflows will find GPT-3.5 Turbo particularly useful due to its support for tool and function calling. Unlike general chat assistants such as ChatGPT or Gemini, this model focuses on programmatic integration, offering structured JSON outputs for reliable parsing. This makes it suitable for scenarios requiring automated data extraction or interaction with external APIs, rather than purely conversational exchanges. With its 16,385-token context window, however, it offers less capacity than many contemporary models. The lack of a free tier means usage is billed per token from the outset. Ideal for developers who need to integrate AI capabilities into applications and are prepared to manage token-based costs. Those seeking a free, higher-context, or multimodal model should look elsewhere.
How OpenAI: GPT-3.5 Turbo stacks up
Among the 372 chatbots & llms tools in our directory, it ranks #325 of 367 on quality (6.9/10), 14% below the 367-tool average of 8.0, and its $0.5/1M input-token rate is in the mid-price range — 74% cheaper than the 355-model average of $1.95/1M.
Weighing quality against cost, OpenAI: GPT-3.5 Turbo's cost-per-quality-point of $0.07 places it at #186 of 346 for value among chatbots & llms tools.
OpenAI: GPT-3.5 Turbo in depth
OpenAI: GPT-3.5 Turbo, built by OpenAI, sits in the chatbots & llms space and is a paid tool starting at $0.50/1M tokens. Our editors rate it 6.9 out of 10 based on capability, ecosystem and value. It handles a context window of 16,385 tokens.
On the feature side, OpenAI: GPT-3.5 Turbo brings 16,385-token context window, tool / function calling, structured (json) outputs and knowledge cutoff 2021-09-30. These are the capabilities that most shape day-to-day use and separate it from thinner alternatives.
Its biggest strength is supports tool / function calling for agent-style workflows, while the main trade-off to weigh is that no free tier — usage is billed per token. Keep both in mind when deciding whether it fits your workflow.
OpenAI: GPT-3.5 Turbo is most often chosen for research and writing. If that matches your goals, it's a strong candidate to shortlist.
Key features
- ✓16,385-token context window
- ✓Tool / function calling
- ✓Structured (JSON) outputs
- ✓Knowledge cutoff 2021-09-30
Pricing
Pros
- +Supports tool / function calling for agent-style workflows
- +Can return structured JSON output for reliable parsing
Cons
- −No free tier — usage is billed per token
- −Context window of 16,385 tokens is smaller than most current models
- −Text-only: does not accept image input
Who should use OpenAI: GPT-3.5 Turbo
- →Anyone looking for a chatbots & llms tool from OpenAI.
- →Teams and individuals focused on research and writing.
- →People who value supports tool / function calling for agent-style workflows.
- →Workflows that need a 16,385 tokens context window.
Who should look elsewhere
- →Anyone who needs a free tier — this tool is paid only.
- →Those for whom no free tier — usage is billed per token is a dealbreaker.
- →Users who can't accept that context window of 16,385 tokens is smaller than most current models.
Best for
10 Best OpenAI: GPT-3.5 Turbo Alternatives in 2026
OpenAI: GPT-3.5 Turbo is a strong chatbots & llms tool, but it is not the only option. Whether you are after a lower price, different features or a better fit for your workflow, here are the 10 best alternatives to OpenAI: GPT-3.5 Turbo, ranked and compared.
Anthropic
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OpenAI
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Google DeepMind
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Stepfun
Step 5 Preview is StepFun's flagship model for agentic work, built on a sparse Mixture-of-Experts architecture (27B…
Anthropic
Claude Haiku 5.5 is Anthropic's small, fast model for high-volume, cost-sensitive work such as summarization…
Mistral AI
Mistral Large 4 is a frontier multimodal (text and image input) model from Mistral AI built for reasoning, coding, and…
OpenAI
GPT-6.1 Sol Pro is the same underlying model as [GPT-6.1 Sol](https://openrouter.ai/openai/gpt-6.1-sol), served with…
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GPT-6.1 Sol is an upgrade to GPT-6 Sol from OpenAI, positioned below the flagship GPT-6 Astra in the GPT-6 series.
Anthropic
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Fireworks
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OpenAI: GPT-3.5 Turbo vs top alternatives
A side-by-side look at how OpenAI: GPT-3.5 Turbo stacks up against its closest rivals.
| Feature | OpenAI: GPT-3.5 TurboOpenAI | ClaudeAnthropic | ChatGPTOpenAI | GeminiGoogle DeepMind |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality score | 6.9 / 10 | 9.6 / 10 | 9.5 / 10 | 9.2 / 10 |
| Starting price | $0.50/1M tokens | $20/mo | $20/mo | $20/mo |
| Free tier | No | Yes — Free tier available | Yes — Free tier available | Yes — Free tier available |
| API input price | $0.5 / 1M tokens | $0.1 / 1M tokens | $2 / 1M tokens | $0.75 / 1M tokens |
| API output price | $1.5 / 1M tokens | $0.5 / 1M tokens | $10 / 1M tokens | $3.75 / 1M tokens |
| Speed | — | Fast | Fast | Fast |
| Context window | 16,385 tokens | 200K tokens | 128K tokens | 1M-2M tokens |
| Categories | Chatbots & LLMs | Chatbots & LLMs, Coding, Writing | Chatbots & LLMs, Coding, Writing | Chatbots & LLMs, Coding, Writing |
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Frequently asked questions
Q. Is OpenAI: GPT-3.5 Turbo free?
No — OpenAI: GPT-3.5 Turbo is a paid tool, starting at $0.50/1M tokens.
Q. How much does OpenAI: GPT-3.5 Turbo cost?
OpenAI: GPT-3.5 Turbo starts at $0.50/1M tokens. API usage is around $0.5 per 1M input tokens and $1.5 per 1M output tokens.
Q. What is OpenAI: GPT-3.5 Turbo best for?
OpenAI: GPT-3.5 Turbo is best suited to research and writing, within the chatbots & llms category.
Q. What are the best OpenAI: GPT-3.5 Turbo alternatives?
Popular alternatives to OpenAI: GPT-3.5 Turbo include Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini and StepFun: Step 5 Preview. Each trades off price, quality and ecosystem differently.
Q. Is there a free alternative to OpenAI: GPT-3.5 Turbo?
Yes. Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini offer a free tier, making them good starting points if you want to avoid an upfront subscription.
Q. Why switch from OpenAI: GPT-3.5 Turbo?
Common reasons include pricing, specific feature gaps (No free tier — usage is billed per token; Context window of 16,385 tokens is smaller than most current models; Text-only: does not accept image input), data-privacy requirements, or simply wanting a tool that fits your stack better.
How we rate AI tools
Our quality score weighs capability on real tasks, breadth of features and integrations, pricing and value, and how actively the tool is maintained. Scores are editorial guidance, not benchmarks — always trial a tool on your own workflow before committing. Pricing and features change frequently, so verify current details on the official site.
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