Grok 3 vs Mistral Medium 3.1
Grok 3 vs Mistral Medium 3.1: Mistral Medium 3.1 is cheaper for input-heavy usage ($0.40/M vs $3.00/M input tokens), while Grok 3 is better for long-context tasks (131,072 tokens).
Direct answer: choose Mistral Medium 3.1 for lower token spend and choose Grok 3 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
Mistral Medium 3.1
Cost Differences
Mistral Medium 3.1 costs less than Grok 3
Quick Recommendation
Winner for direct API pricing: Mistral Medium 3.1. At the default workload, Mistral Medium 3.1 saves about $27.30/month ($332.15/year) versus Grok 3.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Grok 3 | Mistral Medium 3.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | xAI | Mistral AI |
| Input Price | $3.00/1M tokens | $0.40/1M tokens |
| Output Price | $15.00/1M tokens | $2.00/1M tokens |
| Context Window | 131,072 tokens | 131,072 tokens |
| Max Output | 131,072 tokens | 16,384 tokens |
| Category | flagship | balanced |
| Capabilities | textvisionreasoningcode | textcodereasoning |
| Release Date | 2/17/2025 | 8/1/2025 |
Grok 3 vs Mistral Medium 3.1: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between Grok 3 and Mistral Medium 3.1 depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. Mistral Medium 3.1 is the more affordable option at $0.40/1M input tokens — 87% cheaper than Grok 3.
These models come from different providers — xAI and Mistral AI — which means different API ecosystems, SDKs, rate limits, and terms of service. If you're already integrated with xAI, switching to Mistral AIinvolves migration effort beyond just pricing. Factor in your existing infrastructure when deciding.
These models target different tiers: Grok 3 is a flagship model while Mistral Medium 3.1 is balanced. This means they're optimized for different workloads. Grok 3 is built for complex tasks that require deeper reasoning, while Mistral Medium 3.1 offers better value for routine operations.
Output costs matter too. Grok 3 charges $15.00/1M output tokens vs $2.00 for Mistral Medium 3.1. For generation-heavy workloads (content creation, code generation, summarization), output pricing often dominates your bill. Mistral Medium 3.1 has the edge here at $2.00/1M output tokens.
Multimodal capabilities: Grok 3 supports vision (image inputs) while Mistral Medium 3.1 is text-only. If your application needs image understanding, this narrows your choice.
Best Use Cases
Choose Grok 3 when:
- • You need more capabilities (vision)
- • You need longer outputs (up to 131,072 tokens)
- • You're already using xAI's API ecosystem
Choose Mistral Medium 3.1 when:
- • Budget is a primary concern
- • You're already using Mistral AI'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
- • Higher input cost than Mistral Medium 3.1
- • Higher output cost than Mistral Medium 3.1
Mistral Medium 3.1
- • Input pricing: $0.40/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $2.00/M tokens
- • Context window: 131,072 tokens
- • Max output: 16,384 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)
Mistral Medium 3.1 (Mistral AI)
Start using Grok 3 today
Sign Up for xAI →Start using Mistral Medium 3.1 today
Sign Up for Mistral AI →Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, Grok 3 or Mistral Medium 3.1?▼
What is the context window difference between Grok 3 and Mistral Medium 3.1?▼
Which model is better for AI Agent / Agentic Workflows?▼
Which model has better overall pricing for heavy usage?▼
Where can I compare xAI and Mistral AI API pricing beyond this model matchup?▼
Related Comparisons
Related Articles
Learn when to pick each model, then compare live pricing scenarios.