Grok 3 vs Grok 4
Pricing verdict: Grok 3 vs Grok 4: pricing is a tie at $3.00/M input and $15.00/M output. The real choice is context: Grok 4 is better for long-context tasks (256,000 tokens vs 131,072).
Direct answer: pricing is a tie. Choose Grok 4 for the larger 256K context window, or pick Grok 3 if 131.1K is already enough for your workload.
Compare API pricing, input and output token costs, context windows, and monthly estimates on one page so you can pick the right model fast.
Cost Comparison (1000 input + 500 output tokens, 100 requests/day)
Grok 3
Grok 4
Cost Differences
Both models cost the same at the default workload.
Quick Recommendation
Direct API pricing is a tie at the default workload: both land around $31.50/month. Pick Grok 4 if you need the larger 256K context window; otherwise choose the model that better fits your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Grok 3 | Grok 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | xAI | xAI |
| Input Price | $3.00/1M tokens | $3.00/1M tokens |
| Output Price | $15.00/1M tokens | $15.00/1M tokens |
| Context Window | 131,072 tokens | 256,000 tokens |
| Max Output | 131,072 tokens | 131,072 tokens |
| Category | flagship | reasoning |
| Capabilities | textvisionreasoningcode | textvisionreasoningcode |
| Release Date | 2/17/2025 | 7/9/2025 |
Grok 3 vs Grok 4: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between Grok 3 and Grok 4 depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. Both models cost the same on input and output tokens, so raw price is a tie. Meanwhile, Grok 4 offers a significantly larger context window at 256,000 tokens vs 131,072 for Grok 3.
These models target different tiers: Grok 3 is a flagship model while Grok 4 is reasoning. This means they're optimized for different workloads. Grok 3 is built for complex tasks that require deeper reasoning, while Grok 4 offers better value for routine operations.
Output costs matter too. Grok 3 charges $15.00/1M output tokens vs $15.00 for Grok 4.
Multimodal capabilities: Both models support vision (image understanding), so you can send images alongside text prompts with either option.
Best Use Cases
Choose Grok 3 when:
- • You're already using xAI's API ecosystem
Choose Grok 4 when:
- • You need a larger context window (256,000 tokens)
- • You're already using xAI's API ecosystem
Pros and Caveats at a Glance
Grok 3
- • Input pricing: $3.00/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $15.00/M tokens
- • Context window: 131,072 tokens
- • Max output: 131,072 tokens
Watch out for
- • Smaller context window than Grok 4
Grok 4
- • Input pricing: $3.00/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $15.00/M tokens
- • Context window: 256,000 tokens
- • Max output: 131,072 tokens
Watch out for
- • Trade-offs are minor in this matchup.
Try Different Scenarios
Use the calculator below to see how costs change with different usage patterns
Grok 3 (xAI)
Grok 4 (xAI)
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