Looking for an honest Amazon Nova Lite vs OpenAI GPT-3.5 Turbo comparison in 2026? We scored both ai language models on the same six-dimension framework — performance, battery, display, camera, design and value — using identical methodology, so the numbers below are directly comparable. In our overall scoring the Amazon Nova Lite comes out ahead 55/100 to 41/100 — a 14-point gap. The widest gap is in performance, where the Amazon Nova Lite pulls noticeably ahead.
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Amazon Nova Lite edges out the OpenAI GPT-3.5 Turbo in the ai language models category, especially in performance, scoring 55 vs 41. If you want the better overall ai language models, Amazon Nova Lite is the recommended choice.
✓ Pros
✗ Cons
✓ Pros
✗ Cons
Lower cost = better value. Free = open-source self-hosted.
| Metric | Nova Lite | GPT-3.5 Turbo |
|---|---|---|
| Input (Prompt) | ✓$0.06/1M | $0.50/1M |
| Output (Completion) | ✓$0.24/1M | $1.50/1M |
| Open Source | Proprietary | Proprietary |
Context Window (tokens)
| Metric | Nova Lite | GPT-3.5 Turbo |
|---|---|---|
| Max Output | ✓5,120 tok | 4,096 tok |
| Speed | 250 tok/s | ✓400 tok/s |
| Time to First Token | 200ms | ✓100ms |
| Languages | 20+ | ✓50+ |
Higher is better. Industry-standard AI evaluation benchmarks.
Nova Lite
GPT-3.5 Turbo
Nova Lite
GPT-3.5 Turbo
Nova Lite
GPT-3.5 Turbo
Nova Lite
GPT-3.5 Turbo
Nova Lite
GPT-3.5 Turbo
| Feature | Nova Lite | GPT-3.5 Turbo |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning / Chain-of-Thought | ✕ | ✕ |
| Vision (Image Input) | ✓ | ✕ |
| Audio Input | ✕ | ✕ |
| Video Input | ✓ | ✕ |
| Image/Audio Output | ✕ | ✕ |
| Function Calling / Tools | ✓ | ✓ |
| JSON Mode | ✓ | ✓ |
| Real-time Web Access | ✕ | ✕ |
| Fine-tuning Support | ✕ | ✓ |
| Batch API | ✓ | ✓ |
| Streaming | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open Source | ✕ | ✕ |
| Field | Nova Lite | GPT-3.5 Turbo |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Amazon | OpenAI |
| Knowledge Cutoff | 2024-03 | 2021-09 |
| Best For | ultra cheapAWS ecosystemmultimodalhigh volume | legacysimple taskshigh volumecost efficiency |
Buy Amazon Nova Lite if…
Buy the Amazon Nova Lite if you want the best performance in this comparison. It scores higher overall and is the recommended choice for most buyers.
Buy OpenAI GPT-3.5 Turbo if…
The OpenAI GPT-3.5 Turbo is worth considering if you prefer its specific design, ecosystem, or brand — though it scores lower overall in our comparison.
Amazon Nova Lite edges out the OpenAI GPT-3.5 Turbo in the ai language models category, especially in performance, scoring 55 vs 41. If you want the better overall ai language models, Amazon Nova Lite is the recommended choice.
Yes, Amazon Nova Lite scores higher overall (75 vs 75).
Check the latest prices using the buy links above.
Buy the Amazon Nova Lite if you want the best performance in this comparison. It scores higher overall and is the recommended choice for most buyers.
The OpenAI GPT-3.5 Turbo is worth considering if you prefer its specific design, ecosystem, or brand — though it scores lower overall in our comparison.
Reviewed by VersusMatrix Editorial Team
Last updated: April 25, 2026
Methodology: AI-powered analysis of technical specifications from manufacturer data. Scores are calculated by comparing products across multiple dimensions and normalized relative to the full category database. Our editorial process is independent and not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
Scores are relative within the ai language modelscategory. Percentages show each dimension's weight in the overall score. A difference of less than 0.5 points is considered a tie.