Llama 3.1 8B vs Llama 4 Scout
Llama 3.1 8B vs Llama 4 Scout: Llama 4 Scout is cheaper for input-heavy usage ($0.08/M vs $0.18/M input tokens), while Llama 4 Scout is better for long-context tasks (10,000,000 tokens).
Direct answer: choose Llama 4 Scout for lower token spend and choose Llama 4 Scout 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)
Llama 3.1 8B
Llama 4 Scout
Cost Differences
Llama 4 Scout costs less than Llama 3.1 8B
Quick Recommendation
Winner for direct API pricing: Llama 4 Scout. At the default workload, Llama 4 Scout saves about $0.12/month ($1.46/year) versus Llama 3.1 8B.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Llama 3.1 8B | Llama 4 Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Meta (via Together AI) | Meta (via Together AI) |
| Input Price | $0.18/1M tokens | $0.08/1M tokens |
| Output Price | $0.18/1M tokens | $0.30/1M tokens |
| Context Window | 128,000 tokens | 10,000,000 tokens |
| Max Output | 32,768 tokens | 32,768 tokens |
| Category | efficient | efficient |
| Capabilities | textcode | textvisioncode |
| Release Date | 7/23/2024 | 4/5/2025 |
Llama 3.1 8B vs Llama 4 Scout: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between Llama 3.1 8B and Llama 4 Scout 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. Meanwhile, Llama 4 Scout offers a significantly larger context window at 10,000,000 tokens vs 128,000 for Llama 3.1 8B.
Both models are in the efficient category, making this a direct head-to-head comparison. At scale — say 10,000 requests per day — the cost difference adds up: Llama 3.1 8B would save you roughly $12.00/month compared to Llama 4 Scout. For startups and indie developers, that difference can be significant.
Output costs matter too. Llama 3.1 8B charges $0.18/1M output tokens vs $0.30 for Llama 4 Scout. 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: Llama 4 Scout 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 Llama 3.1 8B when:
- • You're already using Meta (via Together AI)'s API ecosystem
- • You're running high-volume, latency-sensitive workloads
Choose Llama 4 Scout when:
- • Budget is a primary concern
- • You need a larger context window (10,000,000 tokens)
- • You need more capabilities (vision)
- • You're already using Meta (via Together AI)'s API ecosystem
- • You're running high-volume, latency-sensitive workloads
Pros and Caveats at a Glance
Llama 3.1 8B
- • Input pricing: $0.18/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $0.18/M tokens
- • Context window: 128,000 tokens
- • Max output: 32,768 tokens
Watch out for
- • Higher input cost than Llama 4 Scout
- • Smaller context window than Llama 4 Scout
Llama 4 Scout
- • Input pricing: $0.08/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $0.30/M tokens
- • Context window: 10,000,000 tokens
- • Max output: 32,768 tokens
Watch out for
- • Higher output cost than Llama 3.1 8B
Try Different Scenarios
Use the calculator below to see how costs change with different usage patterns
Llama 3.1 8B (Meta (via Together AI))
Llama 4 Scout (Meta (via Together AI))
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Sign Up for Meta (via Together AI) →Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, Llama 3.1 8B or Llama 4 Scout?▼
What is the context window difference between Llama 3.1 8B and Llama 4 Scout?▼
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