Grok 4.20 vs Llama 3.1 8B

Compare xAI and Meta (via Together AI) AI models

xAI

Grok 4.20

Meta (via Together AI)

Llama 3.1 8B

Try xAI →Try Meta (via Together AI) →

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

Grok 4.20

Per Request:$0.005000

Daily:$0.50

Monthly:$15.00

Yearly:$182.50

Llama 3.1 8B

Per Request:$0.000270

Daily:$0.027

Monthly:$0.81

Yearly:$9.855

Cost Differences

$0.004730

Per Request

$0.473

Daily

$14.19

Monthly

$172.645

Yearly

Llama 3.1 8B costs less than Grok 4.20

Feature Comparison

Feature	Grok 4.20	Llama 3.1 8B
Provider	xAI	Meta (via Together AI)
Input Price	$2.00/1M tokens	$0.18/1M tokens
Output Price	$6.00/1M tokens	$0.18/1M tokens
Context Window	2,000,000 tokens	128,000 tokens
Max Output	131,072 tokens	32,768 tokens
Category	reasoning	efficient
Capabilities	textvisionreasoningcode	textcode
Release Date	2/17/2026	7/23/2024

Grok 4.20 vs Llama 3.1 8B: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between Grok 4.20 and Llama 3.1 8B depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. Llama 3.1 8B is the more affordable option at $0.18/1M input tokens — 91% cheaper than Grok 4.20. Meanwhile, Grok 4.20 offers a significantly larger context window at 2,000,000 tokens vs 128,000 for Llama 3.1 8B.

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 4.20 is a reasoning model while Llama 3.1 8B is efficient. This means they're optimized for different workloads. Grok 4.20 is built for complex tasks that require deeper reasoning, while Llama 3.1 8B offers better value for routine operations.

Output costs matter too. Grok 4.20 charges $6.00/1M output tokens vs $0.18 for Llama 3.1 8B. For generation-heavy workloads (content creation, code generation, summarization), output pricing often dominates your bill. Llama 3.1 8B has the edge here at $0.18/1M output tokens.

Multimodal capabilities: Grok 4.20 supports vision (image inputs) while Llama 3.1 8B is text-only. If your application needs image understanding, this narrows your choice.

Best Use Cases

Choose Grok 4.20 when:

• You need a larger context window (2,000,000 tokens)
• You need more capabilities (vision, reasoning)
• You need longer outputs (up to 131,072 tokens)
• You're already using xAI's API ecosystem

Choose Llama 3.1 8B when:

• Budget is a primary concern
• You're already using Meta (via Together AI)'s API ecosystem
• You're running high-volume, latency-sensitive workloads

Try Different Scenarios

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

Grok 4.20 (xAI)

Cost Calculator

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Llama 3.1 8B (Meta (via Together AI))

Cost Calculator

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Input Tokens

Output Tokens

Requests/Day

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, Grok 4.20 or Llama 3.1 8B?▼

Llama 3.1 8B is cheaper for input tokens at $0.18 per million tokens vs $2.00 for Grok 4.20 — that's 91% savings on input costs.

What is the context window difference between Grok 4.20 and Llama 3.1 8B?▼

Grok 4.20 supports 2,000,000 tokens while Llama 3.1 8B supports 128,000 tokens — a difference of 1,872,000 tokens in favor of Grok 4.20.

Which model is better for AI Chatbot?▼

Both models support text. For ai chatbot, Llama 3.1 8B is the lower-cost option, while Grok 4.20 offers a larger context window (2,000,000 vs 128,000 tokens). Choose Llama 3.1 8B for budget sensitivity or Grok 4.20 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 4.20 costs about $15.00/month and Llama 3.1 8B costs about $0.81/month. Overall, Llama 3.1 8B has lower combined input + output rates ($0.18 in, $0.18 out) vs Grok 4.20.