Gemma 3 4B vs Llama 3.1 8B Instruct
Gemma 3 4B and Llama 3.1 8B Instruct are closely matched at -1.9 and -2.6 on the LLM Stats Score. Llama 3.1 8B Instruct is 1.1x cheaper per token.
Google · Meta · Updated for 2026
Which is better?
Gemma 3 4B and Llama 3.1 8B Instruct are closely matched on the overall LLM Stats Score at -1.9 and -2.6.
The models split the 4 individual benchmarks reported for both models evenly.
On price, Llama 3.1 8B Instruct is roughly 1.1x cheaper per token on a blended 3:1 input/output basis, which adds up quickly at production volume.
Based on current LLM Stats indexes, shared benchmarks, pricing, and model metadata for 2026.
Choose Gemma 3 4B
- you want the most recent training data — it shipped Mar 2025
Choose Llama 3.1 8B Instruct
- cost matters — it's about 1.1x cheaper per token
At a glance
The differences that matter most.
Capability indexes
Additional strengths measured across groups of related public benchmarks
Individual benchmarks
26 reported for Gemma 3 4B · 18 for Llama 3.1 8B Instruct
Gemma 3 4B outperforms in 2 benchmarks (GPQA, IFEval), while Llama 3.1 8B Instruct is better at 2 benchmarks (HumanEval, MMLU-Pro).
Both models are evenly matched across the benchmarks.
Human preference
Blind head-to-head votes and playground preference scores
Pricing Analysis
Price comparison per million tokens
For input processing, Gemma 3 4B ($0.02/1M tokens) costs the same as Llama 3.1 8B Instruct ($0.02/1M tokens).
For output processing, Gemma 3 4B ($0.04/1M tokens) is 1.3x more expensive than Llama 3.1 8B Instruct ($0.03/1M tokens).
In conclusion, Gemma 3 4B is more expensive than Llama 3.1 8B Instruct.*
* Using a 3:1 ratio of input to output tokens
Model Size
Parameter count comparison
Llama 3.1 8B Instruct has 4.0B more parameters than Gemma 3 4B, making it 100.0% larger.
Context Window
Maximum input and output token capacity
Both models have the same input context window of 131,072 tokens. Both models can generate responses up to 131,072 tokens.
Input capabilities
Documented input modalities across available providers
Gemma 3 4B supports multimodal inputs, whereas Llama 3.1 8B Instruct does not.
Gemma 3 4B can handle both text and other forms of data like images, making it suitable for multimodal applications.
Gemma 3 4B
Llama 3.1 8B Instruct
License
Usage and distribution terms
Gemma 3 4B is licensed under Gemma, while Llama 3.1 8B Instruct uses Llama 3.1 Community License.
License differences may affect how you can use these models in commercial or open-source projects.
Gemma
Open weights
Llama 3.1 Community License
Open weights
Release Timeline
When each model was launched
Gemma 3 4B was released on 2025-03-12, while Llama 3.1 8B Instruct was released on 2024-07-23.
Gemma 3 4B is 8 months newer than Llama 3.1 8B Instruct.
Mar 12, 2025
1.5 years ago
7mo newerJul 23, 2024
2.2 years ago
Knowledge Cutoff
When training data ends
Gemma 3 4B has a knowledge cutoff of 2024-08-01, while Llama 3.1 8B Instruct has a cutoff of 2023-12-31.
Gemma 3 4B has more recent training data (up to 2024-08-01), making it potentially better informed about events through that date compared to Llama 3.1 8B Instruct (2023-12-31).
Aug 2024
8 mo newerDec 2023
Provider Availability
Gemma 3 4B is available from DeepInfra. Llama 3.1 8B Instruct is available from DeepInfra, Lambda, Groq, Sambanova, Cerebras, Hyperbolic, Together, Fireworks, Bedrock.
Gemma 3 4B
Llama 3.1 8B Instruct
Outputs Comparison
Judge for yourself.
Run your own prompts against Gemma 3 4B and Llama 3.1 8B Instruct side-by-side, then vote on the output you prefer.
FAQ
Common questions about Gemma 3 4B vs Llama 3.1 8B Instruct.