Model Comparison

GPT-4 vs Mistral Small 3.1 24B BaseWhich is better in 2026?

Both models are evenly matched across the benchmarks. Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base is 250.0x cheaper per token.

Verdict: GPT-4 vs Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base — which is better?

GPT-4 (by OpenAI) and Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base (by Mistral AI) are two of the AI models people compare most. Here is how they stack up on benchmarks, price and capabilities, and which one to pick in 2026.

GPT-4 outperforms in 1 benchmarks (MMLU), while Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base is better at 1 benchmark (GPQA). Both models are evenly matched across the benchmarks.

On price, Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base is roughly 250.0x cheaper per token on a blended 3:1 input/output basis, which adds up quickly at production volume.

Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base also accepts a larger context window (128,000 input tokens), making it the stronger choice for long documents and large codebases.

Choose GPT-4 if…

  • you want predictable pricing at $30.00/M input and $60.00/M output

Choose Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base if…

  • cost matters — it's about 250.0x cheaper per token
  • you process long inputs — it offers a 128,000 token context window
  • you want the most recent training data — it shipped Mar 2025
  • you need open weights you can self-host or fine-tune

Performance Benchmarks

Comparative analysis across standard metrics

2 benchmarks

GPT-4 outperforms in 1 benchmarks (MMLU), while Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base is better at 1 benchmark (GPQA).

Both models are evenly matched across the benchmarks.

Tue Jul 21 2026 • llm-stats.com

Arena Performance

Human preference votes

Pricing Analysis

Price comparison per million tokens

Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base costs less

For input processing, GPT-4 ($30.00/1M tokens) is 300.0x more expensive than Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base ($0.10/1M tokens).

For output processing, GPT-4 ($60.00/1M tokens) is 200.0x more expensive than Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base ($0.30/1M tokens).

In conclusion, GPT-4 is more expensive than Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base.*

* Using a 3:1 ratio of input to output tokens

Lowest available price from all providers
Tue Jul 21 2026 • llm-stats.com
OpenAI
GPT-4
Input tokens$30.00
Output tokens$60.00
Best providerAzure
Mistral AI
Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base
Input tokens$0.10
Output tokens$0.30
Best providerMistral
Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue→

Context Window

Maximum input and output token capacity

Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base accepts 128,000 input tokens compared to GPT-4's 32,768 tokens. Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base can generate longer responses up to 128,000 tokens, while GPT-4 is limited to 32,768 tokens.

OpenAI
GPT-4
Input32,768 tokens
Output32,768 tokens
Mistral AI
Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base
Input128,000 tokens
Output128,000 tokens
Tue Jul 21 2026 • llm-stats.com

Input Capabilities

Supported data types and modalities

Both GPT-4 and Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base support multimodal inputs.

They are both capable of processing various types of data, offering versatility in application.

GPT-4

Text
Images
Audio
Video

Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base

Text
Images
Audio
Video

License

Usage and distribution terms

GPT-4 is licensed under a proprietary license, while Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base uses Apache 2.0.

License differences may affect how you can use these models in commercial or open-source projects.

GPT-4

Proprietary

Closed source

Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base

Apache 2.0

Open weights

Release Timeline

When each model was launched

GPT-4 was released on 2023-06-13, while Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base was released on 2025-03-17.

Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base is 21 months newer than GPT-4.

GPT-4

Jun 13, 2023

3.1 years ago

Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base

Mar 17, 2025

1.3 years ago

1.8yr newer

Knowledge Cutoff

When training data ends

GPT-4 has a documented knowledge cutoff of 2022-12-31, while Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base's cutoff date is not specified.

We can confirm GPT-4's training data extends to 2022-12-31, but cannot make a direct comparison without Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base's cutoff date.

GPT-4

Dec 2022

Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base

—

Provider Availability

GPT-4 is available from Azure, OpenAI. Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base is available from Mistral AI.

GPT-4

azure logo
Azure
Input Price:Input: $30.00/1MOutput Price:Output: $60.00/1M
openai logo
OpenAI
Input Price:Input: $30.00/1MOutput Price:Output: $60.00/1M

Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base

mistral logo
Mistral
Input Price:Input: $0.10/1MOutput Price:Output: $0.30/1M
* Prices shown are per million tokens

Outputs Comparison

Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue discussion→

Key Takeaways

OpenAI
Higher MMLU score (86.4% vs 81.0%)
Mistral AI
Larger context window (128,000 tokens)
Less expensive input tokens
Less expensive output tokens
Has open weights
Higher GPQA score (37.5% vs 35.7%)

Detailed Comparison

Interactive Arena

Judge for yourself.

Run your own prompts against GPT-4 and Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base side-by-side, then vote on the output you prefer.

GPT-4
✓ Preferred
Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base
Open in Playground
AI Model Comparison Table
Feature
OpenAI
GPT-4
Mistral AI
Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base

FAQ

Common questions about GPT-4 vs Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base.

Which is better, GPT-4 or Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base?

Both models are evenly matched across the benchmarks. GPT-4 is made by OpenAI and Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base is made by Mistral AI. The best choice depends on your use case — compare their benchmark scores, pricing, and capabilities above.

How does GPT-4 compare to Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base in benchmarks?

GPT-4 scores AI2 Reasoning Challenge (ARC): 96.3%, HellaSwag: 95.3%, Uniform Bar Exam: 90.0%, SAT Math: 89.0%, LSAT: 88.0%. Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base scores MMLU: 81.0%, TriviaQA: 80.5%, MMMU: 59.3%, MMLU-Pro: 56.0%, GPQA: 37.5%.

Is GPT-4 cheaper than Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base?

Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base is 300.0x cheaper for input tokens. GPT-4 costs $30.00/M input and $60.00/M output via azure. Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base costs $0.10/M input and $0.30/M output via mistral.

What are the context window sizes for GPT-4 and Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base?

GPT-4 supports 33K tokens and Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base supports 128K tokens. A larger context window lets you process longer documents, conversations, or codebases in a single request.

What are the main differences between GPT-4 and Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base?

Key differences include context window (33K vs 128K), input pricing ($30.00 vs $0.10/M), licensing (Proprietary vs Apache 2.0). See the full comparison above for benchmark-by-benchmark results.

Who makes GPT-4 and Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base?

GPT-4 is developed by OpenAI and Mistral Small 3.1 24B Base is developed by Mistral AI.

Related comparisons