Two frontier models, one question: which writes better code? We compare GPT-5.2 and Claude Sonnet 4.5 across five coding dimensions so you can pick the right model for your development workflow.
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Task-specific scoring for coding workloads across 5 dimensions.
| Dimension | GPT-5.2 | Claude Sonnet 4.5 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Code Quality | Generates clean, well-structured code across 30+ languages with reliable formatting and naming conventions. | Produces more idiomatic code with better edge-case handling; particularly strong at Pythonic patterns and TypeScript generics. | |
| Debug Accuracy | Good at spotting common bugs like off-by-one errors and null references. Occasionally suggests superficial fixes that mask deeper issues. | Traces root causes more reliably and explains the reasoning behind each fix. Handles multi-step debugging chains with fewer false leads. | |
| Multi-file Refactoring | Handles straightforward renames and extractions well but can lose track of cross-file dependencies in large codebases. | Leverages its 200K context window to maintain consistency across many files. Best-in-class for large-scale refactors. | |
| API & Tool Integration | Best-in-class function calling and structured output. Ideal for agentic coding workflows that invoke linters, test runners, and CI tools. | Competent at tool use but less reliable at generating valid function call schemas on the first attempt. | |
| Test Generation | Produces thorough test suites with good coverage of happy paths. Sometimes under-tests edge cases. | Generates more comprehensive test cases including boundary conditions, error paths, and property-based tests. |
Pick GPT-5.2 when your workflow relies on function calling, structured output, or agentic tool use. It is also the safer choice for uncommon programming languages where Claude has less training data.
Pick Claude Sonnet 4.5 for code reviews, large refactors, debugging complex issues, and any task where you need the model to reason carefully about code correctness across many files.
Claude Sonnet 4.5 wins four of five coding dimensions. Its larger context window and stronger debugging instincts make it the better choice for most development work. GPT-5.2 holds a clear edge in tool-augmented workflows thanks to its superior function-calling API.
Use LLMWise Compare mode to test GPT-5.2 vs Claude Sonnet 4.5 on your own coding prompts.
You only pay credits per request. No monthly subscription. Paid credits never expire.
Replace multiple AI subscriptions with one wallet that includes routing, failover, and optimization.