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Llama 3.1 8B vs Magistral Small

Compare Meta (via Together AI) and Mistral AI AI models

Meta (via Together AI)
Llama 3.1 8B
vs
Mistral AI
Magistral Small

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

Llama 3.1 8B

Per Request:$0.000270
Daily:$0.027
Monthly:$0.81
Yearly:$9.855

Magistral Small

Per Request:$0.001250
Daily:$0.125
Monthly:$3.75
Yearly:$45.625

Cost Differences

+$0.000980
Per Request
+$0.098
Daily
+$2.94
Monthly
+$35.77
Yearly

Magistral Small costs more than Llama 3.1 8B

Feature Comparison

FeatureLlama 3.1 8BMagistral Small
ProviderMeta (via Together AI)Mistral AI
Input Price$0.18/1M tokens$0.50/1M tokens
Output Price$0.18/1M tokens$1.50/1M tokens
Context Window128,000 tokens128,000 tokens
Max Output32,768 tokens16,384 tokens
Categoryefficientreasoning
Capabilities
textcode
textreasoning
Release Date7/23/202412/15/2025

Llama 3.1 8B vs Magistral Small: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between Llama 3.1 8B and Magistral Small 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 tokens64% cheaper than Magistral Small.

These models come from different providers — Meta (via Together AI) and Mistral AI — which means different API ecosystems, SDKs, rate limits, and terms of service. If you're already integrated with Meta (via Together AI), switching to Mistral AIinvolves migration effort beyond just pricing. Factor in your existing infrastructure when deciding.

These models target different tiers: Llama 3.1 8B is a efficient model while Magistral Small is reasoning. This means they're optimized for different workloads. Magistral Small targets more demanding workloads, while Llama 3.1 8B provides a cost-effective option for everyday tasks.

Output costs matter too. Llama 3.1 8B charges $0.18/1M output tokens vs $1.50 for Magistral Small. 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.

Best Use Cases

Choose Llama 3.1 8B when:

  • • Budget is a primary concern
  • • You need longer outputs (up to 32,768 tokens)
  • • You're already using Meta (via Together AI)'s API ecosystem
  • • You're running high-volume, latency-sensitive workloads

Choose Magistral Small when:

  • • You're already using Mistral AI's API ecosystem

Try Different Scenarios

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

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

Magistral Small (Mistral AI)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, Llama 3.1 8B or Magistral Small?
Llama 3.1 8B is cheaper for input tokens at $0.18 per million tokens vs $0.50 for Magistral Small — that's 64% savings on input costs.
What is the context window difference between Llama 3.1 8B and Magistral Small?
Llama 3.1 8B supports 128,000 tokens while Magistral Small supports 128,000 tokens — a difference of 0 tokens in favor of Llama 3.1 8B.
Which model is better for AI Chatbot?
Both models support text. For ai chatbot, Llama 3.1 8B is the lower-cost option, while Llama 3.1 8B offers a larger context window (128,000 vs 128,000 tokens). Choose Llama 3.1 8B for budget sensitivity or Llama 3.1 8B 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, Llama 3.1 8B costs about $0.81/month and Magistral Small costs about $3.75/month. Overall, Llama 3.1 8B has lower combined input + output rates ($0.18 in, $0.18 out) vs Magistral Small.

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