Grok 3 vs Mistral Small 4
Grok 3 vs Mistral Small 4: Mistral Small 4 is cheaper for input-heavy usage ($0.15/M vs $3.00/M input tokens), while Grok 3 is better for long-context tasks (131,072 tokens).
Direct answer: choose Mistral Small 4 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 Small 4
Cost Differences
Mistral Small 4 costs less than Grok 3
Quick Recommendation
Winner for direct API pricing: Mistral Small 4. At the default workload, Mistral Small 4 saves about $30.15/month ($366.825/year) versus Grok 3.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Grok 3 | Mistral Small 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | xAI | Mistral AI |
| Input Price | $3.00/1M tokens | $0.15/1M tokens |
| Output Price | $15.00/1M tokens | $0.60/1M tokens |
| Context Window | 131,072 tokens | 128,000 tokens |
| Max Output | 131,072 tokens | 16,384 tokens |
| Category | flagship | efficient |
| Capabilities | textvisionreasoningcode | textvisioncodereasoning |
| Release Date | 2/17/2025 | 3/18/2026 |
Grok 3 vs Mistral Small 4: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between Grok 3 and Mistral Small 4 depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. Mistral Small 4 is the more affordable option at $0.15/1M input tokens — 95% cheaper than Grok 3. Meanwhile, Grok 3 offers a significantly larger context window at 131,072 tokens vs 128,000 for Mistral Small 4.
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 Small 4 is efficient. This means they're optimized for different workloads. Grok 3 is built for complex tasks that require deeper reasoning, while Mistral Small 4 offers better value for routine operations.
Output costs matter too. Grok 3 charges $15.00/1M output tokens vs $0.60 for Mistral Small 4. For generation-heavy workloads (content creation, code generation, summarization), output pricing often dominates your bill. Mistral Small 4 has the edge here at $0.60/1M output tokens.
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 need a larger context window (131,072 tokens)
- • You need longer outputs (up to 131,072 tokens)
- • You're already using xAI's API ecosystem
Choose Mistral Small 4 when:
- • Budget is a primary concern
- • You're already using Mistral AI's API ecosystem
- • You're running high-volume, latency-sensitive workloads
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 Small 4
- • Higher output cost than Mistral Small 4
Mistral Small 4
- • Input pricing: $0.15/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $0.60/M tokens
- • Context window: 128,000 tokens
- • Max output: 16,384 tokens
Watch out for
- • Smaller context window than Grok 3
Try Different Scenarios
Use the calculator below to see how costs change with different usage patterns
Grok 3 (xAI)
Mistral Small 4 (Mistral AI)
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Which is cheaper, Grok 3 or Mistral Small 4?▼
What is the context window difference between Grok 3 and Mistral Small 4?▼
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?▼
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