Grok 3 Mini vs Llama 3.1 405B

Compare xAI and Meta (via Together AI) AI models

xAI

Grok 3 Mini

Meta (via Together AI)

Llama 3.1 405B

Try xAI →Try Meta (via Together AI) →

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

Grok 3 Mini

Per Request:$0.000550

Daily:$0.055

Monthly:$1.65

Yearly:$20.075

Llama 3.1 405B

Per Request:$0.005250

Daily:$0.525

Monthly:$15.75

Yearly:$191.625

Cost Differences

+$0.004700

Per Request

+$0.47

Daily

+$14.10

Monthly

+$171.55

Yearly

Llama 3.1 405B costs more than Grok 3 Mini

Feature Comparison

Feature	Grok 3 Mini	Llama 3.1 405B
Provider	xAI	Meta (via Together AI)
Input Price	$0.30/1M tokens	$3.50/1M tokens
Output Price	$0.50/1M tokens	$3.50/1M tokens
Context Window	128,000 tokens	128,000 tokens
Max Output	131,072 tokens	32,768 tokens
Category	efficient	flagship
Capabilities	textreasoningcode	textcodereasoning
Release Date	2/17/2025	7/23/2024

Grok 3 Mini vs Llama 3.1 405B: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between Grok 3 Mini and Llama 3.1 405B 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 — 91% cheaper than Llama 3.1 405B.

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

These models target different tiers: Grok 3 Mini is a efficient model while Llama 3.1 405B is flagship. This means they're optimized for different workloads. Llama 3.1 405B 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 $3.50 for Llama 3.1 405B. 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.

Best Use Cases

Choose Grok 3 Mini when:

• Budget is a primary concern
• You need longer outputs (up to 131,072 tokens)
• You're already using xAI's API ecosystem
• You're running high-volume, latency-sensitive workloads

Choose Llama 3.1 405B when:

• You're already using Meta (via Together AI)'s API ecosystem

Try Different Scenarios

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

Grok 3 Mini (xAI)

Cost Calculator

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Model

Input Tokens

Output Tokens

Requests/Day

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Llama 3.1 405B (Meta (via Together AI))

Cost Calculator

Provider

Model

Input Tokens

Output Tokens

Requests/Day

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, Grok 3 Mini or Llama 3.1 405B?▼

Grok 3 Mini is cheaper for input tokens at $0.30 per million tokens vs $3.50 for Llama 3.1 405B — that's 91% savings on input costs.

What is the context window difference between Grok 3 Mini and Llama 3.1 405B?▼

Grok 3 Mini supports 128,000 tokens while Llama 3.1 405B supports 128,000 tokens — a difference of 0 tokens in favor of Grok 3 Mini.

Which model is better for AI Agent / Agentic Workflows?▼

Both models support text, code, reasoning. For ai agent / agentic workflows, Grok 3 Mini is the lower-cost option, while Grok 3 Mini offers a larger context window (128,000 vs 128,000 tokens). Choose Grok 3 Mini for budget sensitivity or Grok 3 Mini 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, Grok 3 Mini costs about $1.65/month and Llama 3.1 405B costs about $15.75/month. Overall, Grok 3 Mini has lower combined input + output rates ($0.30 in, $0.50 out) vs Llama 3.1 405B.