Llama 3.1 8B vs Mistral Small 4

Llama 3.1 8B vs Mistral Small 4: Mistral Small 4 is cheaper for input-heavy usage ($0.15/M vs $0.18/M input tokens), while Llama 3.1 8B is better for long-context tasks (128,000 tokens).

Direct answer: choose Mistral Small 4 for lower token spend and choose Llama 3.1 8B 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.

Meta (via Together AI)

Llama 3.1 8B

Mistral AI

Mistral Small 4

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Llama 3.1 8B pricing page Mistral Small 4 pricing page Meta (via Together AI) provider overview Mistral AI provider overview

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

Mistral Small 4

Per Request:$0.000450

Daily:$0.045

Monthly:$1.35

Yearly:$16.425

Cost Differences

+$0.000180

Per Request

+$0.018

Daily

+$0.54

Monthly

+$6.57

Yearly

Mistral Small 4 costs more than Llama 3.1 8B

Quick Recommendation

Winner for direct API pricing: Llama 3.1 8B. At the default workload, Llama 3.1 8B saves about $0.54/month ($6.57/year) versus Mistral Small 4.

Llama 3.1 8B full pricing breakdown Mistral Small 4 full pricing breakdown Meta (via Together AI) API pricing details Mistral AI API pricing details Meta (via Together AI) vs Mistral AI API pricing Codex Mini vs Mistral Medium 3.5 Codex Mini vs Mistral Large 3

Feature Comparison

Feature	Llama 3.1 8B	Mistral Small 4
Provider	Meta (via Together AI)	Mistral AI
Input Price	$0.18/1M tokens	$0.15/1M tokens
Output Price	$0.18/1M tokens	$0.60/1M tokens
Context Window	128,000 tokens	128,000 tokens
Max Output	32,768 tokens	16,384 tokens
Category	efficient	efficient
Capabilities	textcode	textvisioncodereasoning
Release Date	7/23/2024	3/18/2026

Llama 3.1 8B vs Mistral Small 4: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing between Llama 3.1 8B and Mistral Small 4 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.

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.

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 $54.00/month compared to Mistral Small 4. 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 $0.60 for Mistral Small 4. 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: Mistral Small 4 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 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 Mistral Small 4 when:

• Budget is a primary concern
• You need more capabilities (vision, reasoning)
• You're already using Mistral 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 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

• 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))

Cost Calculator

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Mistral Small 4 (Mistral AI)

Cost Calculator

Provider

Model

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Requests/Day

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Start using Llama 3.1 8B today

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, Llama 3.1 8B or Mistral Small 4?▼

Llama 3.1 8B is cheaper for input tokens at $0.18 per million tokens vs $0.15 for Mistral Small 4.

What is the context window difference between Llama 3.1 8B and Mistral Small 4?▼

Llama 3.1 8B supports 128,000 tokens while Mistral Small 4 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 Mistral Small 4 costs about $1.35/month. Overall, Llama 3.1 8B has lower combined input + output rates ($0.18 in, $0.18 out) vs Mistral Small 4.

Where can I compare Meta (via Together AI) and Mistral AI API pricing beyond this model matchup?▼

See the Meta (via Together AI) vs Mistral AI provider comparison page for lineup-level averages, then review each model page for exact per-token rates.