How is cost per call estimated?

Each model has input and output token prices. The tool assumes a representative call size for the task type, prices it, and keeps only models whose estimated per-call cost is at or under your budget.

What does the capability score mean?

It is a relative score combining each model's strength on the chosen task with your speed-versus-quality preference. It ranks models that already passed your budget and context filters; it is a guide, not an absolute benchmark.

Why does context window act as a hard filter?

A model that cannot hold your input is unusable regardless of price or quality, so any model below your minimum window is removed before scoring rather than merely penalized.

What if nothing fits my budget?

The tool tells you the cheapest capable option and how far over budget it is, so you can decide whether to raise the budget, shrink the task, or accept a less capable tier.

Should I always pick the top recommendation?

The top pick is the most capable within your constraints, but the runner-up is often dramatically cheaper for a small capability drop. Check both — for high-volume workloads the cheaper tier usually wins on total cost.

Model Tier Recommender by Budget

Model tier recommender by budget

There is no single “best” LLM — only the best one for your task, your context needs, and your budget. This recommender takes a hard cost-per-call ceiling, a minimum context window, a task type, and a speed-versus-quality preference, then returns the most capable model that satisfies all of those constraints, with a ranked list so you can see the trade-offs.

How it works

Each model in the tool carries its context window and input/output token prices. You set a budget and task; the tool estimates a representative call cost for that task, then filters out any model that is over budget or below your minimum window — those are hard constraints, not penalties. The survivors are scored on task-specific capability blended with your speed-or-quality preference, and ranked. If nothing fits, it surfaces the cheapest capable option and how far over budget it sits so you can make an informed call.

Tips and notes

Budget is per call, not per month. Multiply by your expected volume to see the real bill.
Check the runner-up. It is frequently far cheaper for a marginal quality drop — ideal at scale.
Pick the task honestly. “Reasoning” and “simple extraction” lead to very different recommendations.
Window is non-negotiable. A cheaper model that cannot hold your input is no bargain — the tool excludes it for that reason.