Looking for an honest OpenAI GPT-3.5 Turbo vs Mistral AI Codestral 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 Mistral AI Codestral comes out ahead 41/100 to 55/100 — a 14-point gap. The widest gap is in display, where the OpenAI GPT-3.5 Turbo pulls noticeably ahead.
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Mistral AI Codestral edges out the OpenAI GPT-3.5 Turbo in the ai language models category, especially in camera, scoring 55 vs 41. If you want the better overall ai language models, Mistral AI Codestral is the recommended choice.
✓ Pros
✗ Cons
✓ Pros
✗ Cons
Lower cost = better value. Free = open-source self-hosted.
| Metric | GPT-3.5 Turbo | AI Codestral |
|---|---|---|
| Input (Prompt) | $0.50/1M | ✓$0.30/1M |
| Output (Completion) | $1.50/1M | ✓$0.90/1M |
| Open Source | Proprietary | Proprietary |
Context Window (tokens)
| Metric | GPT-3.5 Turbo | AI Codestral |
|---|---|---|
| Max Output | 4,096 tok | ✓8,192 tok |
| Speed | ✓400 tok/s | 150 tok/s |
| Time to First Token | ✓100ms | 300ms |
| Languages | 50+ | ✓80+ |
Higher is better. Industry-standard AI evaluation benchmarks.
GPT-3.5 Turbo
AI Codestral
GPT-3.5 Turbo
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GPT-3.5 Turbo
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GPT-3.5 Turbo
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GPT-3.5 Turbo
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| Feature | GPT-3.5 Turbo | AI Codestral |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | GPT-3.5 Turbo | AI Codestral |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | OpenAI | Mistral AI |
| Parameters | — | 22B |
| Knowledge Cutoff | 2021-09 | 2024-06 |
| Best For | legacysimple taskshigh volumecost efficiency | codingfill in middlecode completionIDE integration |
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.
Buy Mistral AI Codestral if…
Buy the Mistral AI Codestral if you want the best performance in this comparison. It scores higher overall and is the recommended choice for most buyers.
Mistral AI Codestral edges out the OpenAI GPT-3.5 Turbo in the ai language models category, especially in camera, scoring 55 vs 41. If you want the better overall ai language models, Mistral AI Codestral is the recommended choice.
No, Mistral AI Codestral scores higher (75 vs 75).
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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.
Buy the Mistral AI Codestral if you want the best performance in this comparison. It scores higher overall and is the recommended choice for most buyers.
Reviewed by VersusMatrix Editorial Team
Last updated: April 28, 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.