Overview
As the landscape of Large Language Models continues to evolve, developers are increasingly focused on finding the right tool for complex programming tasks. In this evaluation, we compare OpenAI: GPT-5.2 vs xAI: Grok 4 to determine which model leads in coding efficacy. Utilizing our PeerLM evaluation suite, we engaged 10 independent human-aligned evaluators to assess how these models handle real-world coding challenges.
Benchmark Results
The results from our Coding Performance with 10 Evaluators suite reveal a clear leader. OpenAI: GPT-5.2 secured the top rank, demonstrating a significant advantage over xAI: Grok 4 across our core metrics.
| Model | Overall Score | Accuracy | Instruction Following | Total Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAI: GPT-5.2 | 6.58 | 6.58 | 6.58 | $0.010465 |
| xAI: Grok 4 | 3.42 | 3.42 | 3.42 | $0.092487 |
Criteria Breakdown
Our evaluation focused on two primary pillars: Accuracy and Instruction Following. Because this was a comparative, ranking-based evaluation, we prioritized how the models performed relative to one another in solving specific code-generation prompts.
- Accuracy: OpenAI: GPT-5.2 consistently provided more syntactically correct and logical code snippets compared to xAI: Grok 4.
- Instruction Following: GPT-5.2 demonstrated a superior ability to adhere to complex constraints within the coding prompts, whereas Grok 4 struggled to maintain context over longer generation cycles.
Cost & Latency
When analyzing the economic impact of these models, OpenAI: GPT-5.2 proves to be the highly efficient choice. Despite the similar nature of the tasks, Grok 4 resulted in significantly higher output token counts (averaging 1,363 tokens per completion), leading to a much higher total cost per request.
- Total Cost Analysis: OpenAI: GPT-5.2 averaged a total cost of $0.010465 per set of tasks, compared to $0.092487 for xAI: Grok 4.
- Efficiency: GPT-5.2 is not only more cost-effective but also more concise, avoiding the verbose output patterns observed in Grok 4.
Use Cases
Based on these findings, OpenAI: GPT-5.2 is the recommended model for production-grade coding applications, code refactoring, and complex software architectural tasks where instruction adherence is non-negotiable. xAI: Grok 4, while capable, may be better suited for creative exploration or tasks where token budget is less of a concern and lengthier explanations are desired.
Verdict
The comparative analysis between OpenAI: GPT-5.2 vs xAI: Grok 4 highlights a distinct performance gap. OpenAI: GPT-5.2 is the clear winner for technical tasks, offering higher accuracy and significantly better cost-efficiency for development teams.