Llama 4 Maverick vs o4-mini Deep Research
Llama 4 Maverick vs o4-mini Deep Research: Llama 4 Maverick is cheaper for input-heavy usage ($0.27/M vs $2.00/M input tokens), while Llama 4 Maverick is better for long-context tasks (1,000,000 tokens).
Direct answer: choose Llama 4 Maverick for lower token spend and choose Llama 4 Maverick 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 4 Maverick
o4-mini Deep Research
Cost Differences
o4-mini Deep Research costs more than Llama 4 Maverick
Quick Recommendation
Winner for direct API pricing: Llama 4 Maverick. At the default workload, Llama 4 Maverick saves about $15.915/month ($193.6325/year) versus o4-mini Deep Research.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Llama 4 Maverick | o4-mini Deep Research |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Meta (via Together AI) | OpenAI |
| Input Price | $0.27/1M tokens | $2.00/1M tokens |
| Output Price | $0.85/1M tokens | $8.00/1M tokens |
| Context Window | 1,000,000 tokens | 200,000 tokens |
| Max Output | 65,536 tokens | 32,768 tokens |
| Category | flagship | reasoning |
| Capabilities | textvisioncode | textreasoningcode |
| Release Date | 4/5/2025 | 6/26/2025 |
Llama 4 Maverick vs o4-mini Deep Research: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between Llama 4 Maverick and o4-mini Deep Research depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. Llama 4 Maverick is the more affordable option at $0.27/1M input tokens — 87% cheaper than o4-mini Deep Research. Meanwhile, Llama 4 Maverick offers a significantly larger context window at 1,000,000 tokens vs 200,000 for o4-mini Deep Research.
These models come from different providers — Meta (via Together AI) and OpenAI — which means different API ecosystems, SDKs, rate limits, and terms of service. If you're already integrated with Meta (via Together AI), switching to OpenAIinvolves migration effort beyond just pricing. Factor in your existing infrastructure when deciding.
These models target different tiers: Llama 4 Maverick is a flagship model while o4-mini Deep Research is reasoning. This means they're optimized for different workloads. Llama 4 Maverick is built for complex tasks that require deeper reasoning, while o4-mini Deep Research offers better value for routine operations.
Output costs matter too. Llama 4 Maverick charges $0.85/1M output tokens vs $8.00 for o4-mini Deep Research. For generation-heavy workloads (content creation, code generation, summarization), output pricing often dominates your bill. Llama 4 Maverick has the edge here at $0.85/1M output tokens.
Multimodal capabilities: Llama 4 Maverick supports vision (image inputs) while o4-mini Deep Research is text-only. If your application needs image understanding, this narrows your choice.
Best Use Cases
Choose Llama 4 Maverick when:
- • Budget is a primary concern
- • You need a larger context window (1,000,000 tokens)
- • You need longer outputs (up to 65,536 tokens)
- • You're already using Meta (via Together AI)'s API ecosystem
Choose o4-mini Deep Research when:
- • You're already using OpenAI's API ecosystem
Pros and Caveats at a Glance
Llama 4 Maverick
- • Input pricing: $0.27/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $0.85/M tokens
- • Context window: 1,000,000 tokens
- • Max output: 65,536 tokens
Watch out for
- • Trade-offs are minor in this matchup.
o4-mini Deep Research
- • Input pricing: $2.00/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $8.00/M tokens
- • Context window: 200,000 tokens
- • Max output: 32,768 tokens
Watch out for
- • Higher input cost than Llama 4 Maverick
- • Higher output cost than Llama 4 Maverick
- • Smaller context window than Llama 4 Maverick
Try Different Scenarios
Use the calculator below to see how costs change with different usage patterns
Llama 4 Maverick (Meta (via Together AI))
o4-mini Deep Research (OpenAI)
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Which is cheaper, Llama 4 Maverick or o4-mini Deep Research?▼
What is the context window difference between Llama 4 Maverick and o4-mini Deep Research?▼
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