Mistral Medium 3 vs Mistral Medium 3.1
Mistral Medium 3 vs Mistral Medium 3.1: Mistral Medium 3 is cheaper for input-heavy usage ($0.40/M vs $0.40/M input tokens), while Mistral Medium 3.1 is better for long-context tasks (131,072 tokens).
Direct answer: choose Mistral Medium 3 for lower token spend and choose Mistral Medium 3.1 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)
Mistral Medium 3
Mistral Medium 3.1
Cost Differences
Mistral Medium 3.1 costs less than Mistral Medium 3
Quick Recommendation
Winner for direct API pricing: Mistral Medium 3. At the default workload, Mistral Medium 3 saves about $0.00/month ($0.00/year) versus Mistral Medium 3.1.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Mistral Medium 3 | Mistral Medium 3.1 |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Mistral AI | Mistral AI |
| Input Price | $0.40/1M tokens | $0.40/1M tokens |
| Output Price | $2.00/1M tokens | $2.00/1M tokens |
| Context Window | 128,000 tokens | 131,072 tokens |
| Max Output | 16,384 tokens | 16,384 tokens |
| Category | balanced | balanced |
| Capabilities | textcode | textcodereasoning |
| Release Date | 5/7/2025 | 8/1/2025 |
Mistral Medium 3 vs Mistral Medium 3.1: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between Mistral Medium 3 and Mistral Medium 3.1 depends on your priorities: cost efficiency, context length, or raw capability. Mistral Medium 3.1 is the more affordable option at $0.40/1M input tokens. Meanwhile, Mistral Medium 3.1 offers a significantly larger context window at 131,072 tokens vs 128,000 for Mistral Medium 3.
Both models are in the balanced category, making this a direct head-to-head comparison. At scale — say 10,000 requests per day — the cost difference adds up: Mistral Medium 3.1 would save you roughly $0.00/month compared to Mistral Medium 3. For startups and indie developers, that difference can be significant.
Output costs matter too. Mistral Medium 3 charges $2.00/1M output tokens vs $2.00 for Mistral Medium 3.1.
Best Use Cases
Choose Mistral Medium 3 when:
- • You're already using Mistral AI's API ecosystem
Choose Mistral Medium 3.1 when:
- • You need a larger context window (131,072 tokens)
- • You need more capabilities (reasoning)
- • You're already using Mistral AI's API ecosystem
Pros and Caveats at a Glance
Mistral Medium 3
- • Input pricing: $0.40/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $2.00/M tokens
- • Context window: 128,000 tokens
- • Max output: 16,384 tokens
Watch out for
- • Smaller context window than Mistral Medium 3.1
Mistral Medium 3.1
- • Input pricing: $0.40/M tokens
- • Output pricing: $2.00/M tokens
- • Context window: 131,072 tokens
- • Max output: 16,384 tokens
Watch out for
- • Trade-offs are minor in this matchup.
Try Different Scenarios
Use the calculator below to see how costs change with different usage patterns
Mistral Medium 3 (Mistral AI)
Mistral Medium 3.1 (Mistral AI)
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Sign Up for Mistral AI →Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, Mistral Medium 3 or Mistral Medium 3.1?▼
What is the context window difference between Mistral Medium 3 and Mistral Medium 3.1?▼
Which model is better for AI Chatbot?▼
Which model has better overall pricing for heavy usage?▼
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