OpenAI API shifts Containers to per-session billing starting March 31
What happened
Between the Feb 4, 2026 and Feb 18, 2026 captures of OpenAI's pricing page, Pulse recorded one change: Starting March 31, 2026, Containers pricing transitions to per-20-minute-session billing: 1GB $0.03, 4GB $0.12, 16GB $0.48, 64GB $1.92 per 20 minute session. Pulse files it as a pricing change (price increase) with an upward direction. Pulse's latest capture (Oct 5, 2026) lists gpt-image-2.5-flare at $2 per 1M cached image input tokens + $30 per 1M image output tokens, gpt-6.1-sol at $0.2 per 1M cached input tokens (long context) + $2 per 1M input tokens (short context), gpt-6-luna at $0.25 per 1M cache write tokens (long context) + $0.2 per 1M input tokens (long context), gpt-5.6-sol at $30 per 1M output tokens (long context) + $8 per 1M input tokens (long context) and gpt-6-astra at $20 per 1M input tokens (long context) + $1 per 1M cached input tokens (short context).
It lands 37 days after OpenAI's previous change, "Openai API Implements 40% Price Increase for GPT-5.2 Output and Input Tokens, Renames GPT-5 to GPT-5.2" (Jan 12, 2026). OpenAI has been tracked since 2023-11-14.
In the same window Anthropic, X, Metabase and Microsoft also changed their AI & Machine Learning pricing pages. Those moves are listed further down, and the Pulse Agent can compare them side by side.
- Containers · PricePrice increase
Starting March 31, 2026, Containers pricing transitions to per-20-minute-session billing: 1GB $0.03, 4GB $0.12, 16GB $0.48, 64GB $1.92 per 20 minute session
| Plan | Field | Before | After | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Containers | Price | Starting March 31, 2026, Containers pricing transitions to per-20-minute-session billing: 1GB $0.03, 4GB $0.12, 16GB $0.48, 64GB $1.92 per 20 minute session | Price increase | |
Values as written on OpenAI's public pricing page in the two captures Pulse compared; where the page states no number, the cells give the wording before and after.
Evidence
The two captures Pulse comparedFull-page captures of OpenAI's pricing page (openai.com) from Feb 4, 2026 and Feb 18, 2026; the change is marked around the middle of the page.
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OpenAI, the last 90 days
Full history- Apr 6, 2026packagingOpenai API launches GPT-5.4 at $2.50/M tokens, adds Containers tool
- Mar 18, 2026improvedOpenai API adds Sora-2-pro HD video tier at $0.70/second
- Mar 11, 2026packagingOpenai API launches GPT-5.4, adds 10% data residency surcharge
- Feb 18, 2026increaseOpenAI API shifts Containers to per-session billing starting March 31 · this change
- Jan 12, 2026packagingOpenai API Implements 40% Price Increase for GPT-5.2 Output and Input Tokens, Renames GPT-5 to GPT-5.2
Across AI & Machine Learning in the same window
All AI & Machine Learning changes- AnthropicFeb 18Anthropic API replaces Sonnet 4.5 with 4.6 at same price point
- XFeb 18X adds real-time voice AI, drops structured outputs from API
- MetabaseFeb 9Metabase launches $40 storage add-on and $100 AI pricing for businesses.
- MicrosoftJan 20Microsoft Copilot Transforms Copilot Pro into Family-Oriented 365 Premium Subscription with Enhanced AI Features and Increased Cloud Storage
Questions about this change
Did OpenAI raise prices in February 2026?
Yes. Pulse captured OpenAI's pricing page on Feb 4, 2026 and again on Feb 18, 2026 and recorded 1 price increase: Containers: Starting March 31, 2026, Containers pricing transitions to per-20-minute-session billing: 1GB $0.03, 4GB $0.12, 16GB $0.48, 64GB $1.92 per 20 minute session.
What changed on OpenAI's pricing page between Feb 4, 2026 and Feb 18, 2026?
Starting March 31, 2026, Containers pricing transitions to per-20-minute-session billing: 1GB $0.03, 4GB $0.12, 16GB $0.48, 64GB $1.92 per 20 minute session. Pulse compared the captures it took on Feb 4, 2026 and Feb 18, 2026; the before/after table above lists each item as written on the page.
How often does OpenAI change its pricing?
Pulse recorded 1 other pricing-page change for OpenAI in the 90 days before this one; the previous change was "Openai API Implements 40% Price Increase for GPT-5.2 Output and Input Tokens, Renames GPT-5 to GPT-5.2" on Jan 12, 2026; OpenAI has been tracked since 2023-11-14.