OpenAI vs Physical Intelligence
Which Foundation Models AI tool is better in 2026?
OpenAI
Creator of ChatGPT, GPT-4, and the leading frontier AI lab.
Physical Intelligence
Foundation models for physical world AI
Side-by-side
| OpenAI | Physical Intelligence | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Creator of ChatGPT, GPT-4, and the leading frontier AI lab. | Foundation models for physical world AI |
| Founded | 2015 | 2023 |
| HQ | San Francisco, US | San Francisco, US |
| Employees | 1001-5000 | 100-200 |
| Total funding | $193.3B | $735M |
| Latest round | series-e · Mar 2026 | Series B |
| Valuation | $852B | $2.7B |
| Cheapest paid plan | Go · $8/mo | — |
| Free plan | ✓ Free | ✗ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✗ |
| Top tier price | Pro · $200/mo | Enterprise / Partner · Contact sales |
| Pricing summary | 6 published plans | 1 published plans |
| Categories |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for OpenAI and Physical Intelligence.
| Capability | OpenAI | Physical Intelligence |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public API | ✗ | ✓ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | 6 (Python, Node.js, TypeScript, Go…) | 1 (Python) |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✗ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✗ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✓ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of OpenAI
- Has raised more capital ($193.3B vs $735M)
- Higher Neuron score (80 vs 63)
- Offers a free plan
- Lower starting price ($20/mo)
🔵 Strengths of Physical Intelligence
- Newer company (2023)
- Verified profile
Which should you choose?
Choose OpenAI if price matters most — it starts at Free · From $20/mo, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both Foundation Models tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose OpenAI if you want the most established option — it has raised $193.3B, suggesting more runway for enterprise features, support, and long-term roadmap. For mission-critical workflows or larger teams, that stability often outweighs a lower monthly price.
Frequently asked questions
OpenAI vs Physical Intelligence — which is better?
It depends on your priority. OpenAI has raised more capital and is the more established option; Physical Intelligence has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is OpenAI cheaper than Physical Intelligence?
Yes — OpenAI's cheapest paid plan is Go · $8/mo, while Physical Intelligence's is Enterprise · Contact sales.
Do OpenAI and Physical Intelligence offer free plans?
OpenAI: Yes, has a free plan. Physical Intelligence: Paid only.
Explore more Foundation Models tools
Contextual paths to related AI startups, deals and rankings.