Grok 3 Mini vs Grok 4.20
Grok 3 Mini vs Grok 4.20: Grok 3 Mini is cheaper for input-heavy usage ($0.30/M vs $1.25/M input tokens), while Grok 4.20 is better for long-context tasks (2,000,000 tokens).
Direct answer: choose Grok 3 Mini for lower token spend and choose Grok 4.20 when your workload needs longer context.
Compare input and output token pricing, context windows, and monthly cost estimates on one page so you can pick the cheaper model fast.
Cost Comparison (1000 input + 500 output tokens, 100 requests/day)
Grok 3 Mini
Grok 4.20
Cost Differences
Grok 4.20 costs more than Grok 3 Mini
Quick Recommendation
Winner for direct API pricing: Grok 3 Mini. At the default workload, Grok 3 Mini saves about $5.85/month ($71.175/year) versus Grok 4.20.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Grok 3 Mini | Grok 4.20 |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | xAI | xAI |
| Input Price | $0.30/1M tokens | $1.25/1M tokens |
| Output Price | $0.50/1M tokens | $2.50/1M tokens |
| Context Window | 128,000 tokens | 2,000,000 tokens |
| Max Output | 131,072 tokens | 131,072 tokens |
| Category | efficient | reasoning |
| Capabilities | textreasoningcode | textvisionreasoningcode |
| Release Date | 2/17/2025 | 2/17/2026 |
Grok 3 Mini vs Grok 4.20: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between Grok 3 Mini and Grok 4.20 depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. Grok 3 Mini is the more affordable option at $0.30/1M input tokens — 76% cheaper than Grok 4.20. Meanwhile, Grok 4.20 offers a significantly larger context window at 2,000,000 tokens vs 128,000 for Grok 3 Mini.
These models target different tiers: Grok 3 Mini is a efficient model while Grok 4.20 is reasoning. This means they're optimized for different workloads. Grok 4.20 targets more demanding workloads, while Grok 3 Mini provides a cost-effective option for everyday tasks.
Output costs matter too. Grok 3 Mini charges $0.50/1M output tokens vs $2.50 for Grok 4.20. For generation-heavy workloads (content creation, code generation, summarization), output pricing often dominates your bill. Grok 3 Mini has the edge here at $0.50/1M output tokens.
Multimodal capabilities: Grok 4.20 supports vision (image inputs) while Grok 3 Mini is text-only. If your application needs image understanding, this narrows your choice.
Best Use Cases
Choose Grok 3 Mini when:
- • Budget is a primary concern
- • You're already using xAI's API ecosystem
- • You're running high-volume, latency-sensitive workloads
Choose Grok 4.20 when:
- • You need a larger context window (2,000,000 tokens)
- • You need more capabilities (vision)
- • You're already using xAI's API ecosystem
Pros and Caveats at a Glance
Grok 3 Mini
- • Input pricing: $0.30/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $0.50/M tokens
- • Context window: 128,000 tokens
- • Max output: 131,072 tokens
Watch out for
- • Smaller context window than Grok 4.20
Grok 4.20
- • Input pricing: $1.25/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $2.50/M tokens
- • Context window: 2,000,000 tokens
- • Max output: 131,072 tokens
Watch out for
- • Higher input cost than Grok 3 Mini
- • Higher output cost than Grok 3 Mini
Try Different Scenarios
Use the calculator below to see how costs change with different usage patterns
Grok 3 Mini (xAI)
Grok 4.20 (xAI)
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Which is cheaper, Grok 3 Mini or Grok 4.20?▼
What is the context window difference between Grok 3 Mini and Grok 4.20?▼
Which model is better for AI Agent / Agentic Workflows?▼
Which model has better overall pricing for heavy usage?▼
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