# OpenAI introduces GPT-6.1 Sol for coding and workflows at lower prices

Digest AI · Generative AI & Models · published 2026-09-29T17:14:27Z · updated 2026-09-29T19:34:14Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/openai-releases-gpt-6-1-sol-as-cheaper-alternative-to-astra

## Summary

OpenAI launched **GPT-6.1 Sol**, an upgrade to **GPT-6 Sol**, claiming it nearly matches **GPT-6 Astra** in agentic coding, document analysis, and multi-step business workflows at **one-fifth of Astra’s** input and output token prices. The model costs **$0.10 per million cached input tokens**—95% cheaper than standard input pricing and 50% cheaper than **GPT-6 Sol’s** cached input rate. It also delivers **substantial improvements** over **GPT-6 Sol** on benchmarks like **DeepSWE v1.1**, **GDP.pdf**, and **AutomationBench**, often at lower cost per task.

OpenAI highlights **GPT-6.1 Sol’s** gains in factual accuracy, reducing errors from **11.4%** to **7.7%** on difficult prompts. It also shows better alignment with user intent and safety constraints, though **GPT-6 Astra** still leads in scientific workflows. The model is now available in **ChatGPT Work and Codex** for Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu users, as well as via the OpenAI API as **gpt-6.1-sol**. A faster variant, **GPT-6.1 Sol Ultrafast**, is coming soon.

## Key points

- GPT-6.1 Sol matches GPT-6 Astra’s performance in coding and workflows at one-fifth the cost
- Cached input pricing drops to $0.10 per million tokens, 95% cheaper than standard rates
- Available now in ChatGPT Work/Codex and OpenAI API, with Ultrafast variant arriving soon

## Why it matters

A cheaper, capable model for developers and businesses could accelerate adoption of agentic AI in coding and workflow automation.

## Sources

1. [OpenAI releases GPT-6.1 Sol, saying it nearly matches Astra on agentic coding and professional work at one-fifth of Astra's standard prices, in Work and Codex](https://openai.com/index/introducing-gpt-6-1-sol) (openai.com, 2026-09-22, primary source)
2. [Bring near-Astra intelligence to everyday work with GPT-6.1 Sol on Amazon Bedrock](https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/machine-learning/bring-near-astra-intelligence-to-everyday-work-with-gpt-6-1-sol-on-amazon-bedrock) (AWS Machine Learning Blog, 2026-09-29, primary source)
3. [OpenAI launches GPT-6.1 Sol, says it nearly matches GPT-6 Astra and costs less](https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/29/openai-launches-gpt-6-1-sol-says-it-nearly-matches-gpt-6-astra-and-costs-less) (TechCrunch AI, 2026-09-29)
4. [GPT-6.1 Sol comes close to Astra at a fifth of the price](https://the-decoder.com/gpt-6-1-sol-comes-close-to-astra-at-a-fifth-of-the-price) (The Decoder, 2026-09-29)
5. [OpenAI GPT-6.1 Sol with Astra level AI launched: What’s new, pricing, availability and more](https://digit.in/news/general/openai-gpt-6-1-sol-with-astra-level-ai-launched-whats-new-pricing-availability-and-more.html) (digit.in, 2026-09-29)
6. [156 Real-World Examples of How to Use GPT-6 Luna and Sol](https://hackernoon.com/156-real-world-examples-of-how-to-use-gpt-6-luna-and-sol) (hackernoon.com, 2026-09-28)

Part of the developing story: [OpenAI GPT-6 Astra Safety Controversy](https://digestai.news/thread/openai-to-preview-gpt-6-cyber-model-and-cybersecurity-tools) (4 stories)

## Cite

Digest AI, "OpenAI introduces GPT-6.1 Sol for coding and workflows at lower prices", 29 September 2026, https://digestai.news/story/openai-releases-gpt-6-1-sol-as-cheaper-alternative-to-astra

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