Codestral vs Llama 3.1 8B

Compare Mistral AI and Meta (via Together AI) AI models

Mistral AI

Codestral

Meta (via Together AI)

Llama 3.1 8B

Try Mistral AI →Try Meta (via Together AI) →

Cost Comparison (1000 input + 500 output tokens, 100 requests/day)

Codestral

Per Request:$0.000750

Daily:$0.075

Monthly:$2.25

Yearly:$27.375

Llama 3.1 8B

Per Request:$0.000270

Daily:$0.027

Monthly:$0.81

Yearly:$9.855

Cost Differences

$0.000480

Per Request

$0.048

Daily

$1.44

Monthly

$17.52

Yearly

Llama 3.1 8B costs less than Codestral

Feature Comparison

Feature	Codestral	Llama 3.1 8B
Provider	Mistral AI	Meta (via Together AI)
Input Price	$0.30/1M tokens	$0.18/1M tokens
Output Price	$0.90/1M tokens	$0.18/1M tokens
Context Window	128,000 tokens	128,000 tokens
Max Output	32,768 tokens	32,768 tokens
Category	balanced	efficient
Capabilities	textcode	textcode
Release Date	7/30/2025	7/23/2024

Codestral vs Llama 3.1 8B: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between Codestral and Llama 3.1 8B depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. Llama 3.1 8B is the more affordable option at $0.18/1M input tokens — 40% cheaper than Codestral.

These models come from different providers — Mistral AI and Meta (via Together AI) — which means different API ecosystems, SDKs, rate limits, and terms of service. If you're already integrated with Mistral AI, switching to Meta (via Together AI)involves migration effort beyond just pricing. Factor in your existing infrastructure when deciding.

These models target different tiers: Codestral is a balanced model while Llama 3.1 8B is efficient. This means they're optimized for different workloads. Llama 3.1 8B targets more demanding workloads, while Codestral provides a cost-effective option for everyday tasks.

Output costs matter too. Codestral charges $0.90/1M output tokens vs $0.18 for Llama 3.1 8B. For generation-heavy workloads (content creation, code generation, summarization), output pricing often dominates your bill. Llama 3.1 8B has the edge here at $0.18/1M output tokens.

Best Use Cases

Choose Codestral when:

• You're already using Mistral AI's API ecosystem

Choose Llama 3.1 8B when:

• Budget is a primary concern
• You're already using Meta (via Together AI)'s API ecosystem
• You're running high-volume, latency-sensitive workloads

Try Different Scenarios

Use the calculator below to see how costs change with different usage patterns

Codestral (Mistral AI)

Cost Calculator

Provider

Model

Input Tokens

Output Tokens

Requests/Day

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Llama 3.1 8B (Meta (via Together AI))

Cost Calculator

Provider

Model

Input Tokens

Output Tokens

Requests/Day

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Start using Codestral today

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, Codestral or Llama 3.1 8B?▼

Llama 3.1 8B is cheaper for input tokens at $0.18 per million tokens vs $0.30 for Codestral — that's 40% savings on input costs.

What is the context window difference between Codestral and Llama 3.1 8B?▼

Codestral supports 128,000 tokens while Llama 3.1 8B supports 128,000 tokens — a difference of 0 tokens in favor of Codestral.

Which model is better for AI Chatbot?▼

Both models support text. For ai chatbot, Llama 3.1 8B is the lower-cost option, while Codestral offers a larger context window (128,000 vs 128,000 tokens). Choose Llama 3.1 8B for budget sensitivity or Codestral for longer context tasks.

Which model has better overall pricing for heavy usage?▼

At 100 requests/day with 1,000 input and 500 output tokens each, Codestral costs about $2.25/month and Llama 3.1 8B costs about $0.81/month. Overall, Llama 3.1 8B has lower combined input + output rates ($0.18 in, $0.18 out) vs Codestral.