openai-python

The OpenAI Python SDK is the most-used AI SDK on the planet — the `pip install openai` that powers half the AI demos on Twitter. It gives you typed access to GPT-4o, o1/o3 reasoning models, DALL-E, Whisper, and embeddings. The API format has become the de facto standard that other providers mimic.

If you're building AI features in Python, you'll probably use this regardless of your actual model provider — LiteLLM and many frameworks use OpenAI's format as the universal interface. The Anthropic SDK is the direct competitor with better tool-use and long-context support. LiteLLM wraps 100+ providers in OpenAI's format for $0.

The catch: You're locked to OpenAI's API and pricing, which can spike unpredictably. The SDK changes frequently — breaking changes between versions happen. And the "one SDK to rule them all" convenience fades when you realize Anthropic's Claude often outperforms GPT-4o for coding and analysis. Consider LiteLLM or the Anthropic SDK directly if you want flexibility.