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GPT-4.1 vs Grok-3 Mini

Grok-3 Mini significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. Grok-3 Mini is 10.0x cheaper per token.

OpenAI · xAI · Updated for 2026

Which is better?

GPT-4.1 outperforms in 0 benchmarks, while Grok-3 Mini is better at 3 benchmarks (AIME 2024, AIME 2025, GPQA). Grok-3 Mini significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

On price, Grok-3 Mini is roughly 10.0x cheaper per token on a blended 3:1 input/output basis, which adds up quickly at production volume.

GPT-4.1 also accepts a larger context window (1,047,576 input tokens), making it the stronger choice for long documents and large codebases.

Based on current benchmark, pricing, and model metadata for 2026.

Choose GPT-4.1

  • you process long inputs — it offers a 1,047,576 token context window
  • you want the most recent training data — it shipped Apr 2025

Choose Grok-3 Mini

  • you want the strongest raw capability — it leads on 3 of 3 shared benchmarks
  • cost matters — it's about 10.0x cheaper per token

At a glance

The differences that matter most.

GPT-4.1
OpenAI
Grok-3 Mini
xAI
Benchmark wins
0 of 3
3 of 3
Input price
$2.00 / M
$0.30 / M
Output price
$8.00 / M
$0.50 / M
Context window
1,047,576
128,000
Released
Apr 2025
Feb 2025
License
Proprietary
Proprietary

Performance Benchmarks

Comparative analysis across standard metrics

3 benchmarks

GPT-4.1 outperforms in 0 benchmarks, while Grok-3 Mini is better at 3 benchmarks (AIME 2024, AIME 2025, GPQA).

Grok-3 Mini significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

Thu Aug 27 2026 • llm-stats.com

Arena Performance

Playground indexes and blind preference scores

Pricing Analysis

Price comparison per million tokens

Grok-3 Mini costs less

For input processing, GPT-4.1 ($2.00/1M tokens) is 6.7x more expensive than Grok-3 Mini ($0.30/1M tokens).

For output processing, GPT-4.1 ($8.00/1M tokens) is 16.0x more expensive than Grok-3 Mini ($0.50/1M tokens).

In conclusion, GPT-4.1 is more expensive than Grok-3 Mini.*

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

Lowest available price from all providers
Thu Aug 27 2026 • llm-stats.com
OpenAI
GPT-4.1
Input tokens$2.00
Output tokens$8.00
Best providerOpenAI
xAI
Grok-3 Mini
Input tokens$0.30
Output tokens$0.50
Best providerxAI
Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue→

Context Window

Maximum input and output token capacity

GPT-4.1 accepts 1,047,576 input tokens compared to Grok-3 Mini's 128,000 tokens. GPT-4.1 can generate longer responses up to 32,768 tokens, while Grok-3 Mini is limited to 8,000 tokens.

OpenAI
GPT-4.1
Input1,047,576 tokens
Output32,768 tokens
xAI
Grok-3 Mini
Input128,000 tokens
Output8,000 tokens
Thu Aug 27 2026 • llm-stats.com

Input Capabilities

Supported data types and modalities

Both GPT-4.1 and Grok-3 Mini support multimodal inputs.

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

GPT-4.1

Text
Images
Audio
Video

Grok-3 Mini

Text
Images
Audio
Video

License

Usage and distribution terms

Both models are licensed under proprietary licenses.

Both models have usage restrictions defined by their respective organizations.

GPT-4.1

Proprietary

Closed source

Grok-3 Mini

Proprietary

Closed source

Release Timeline

When each model was launched

GPT-4.1 was released on 2025-04-14, while Grok-3 Mini was released on 2025-02-17.

GPT-4.1 is 2 months newer than Grok-3 Mini.

GPT-4.1

Apr 14, 2025

1.4 years ago

1mo newer
Grok-3 Mini

Feb 17, 2025

1.5 years ago

Knowledge Cutoff

When training data ends

GPT-4.1 has a knowledge cutoff of 2024-06-01, while Grok-3 Mini has a cutoff of 2024-11-17.

Grok-3 Mini has more recent training data (up to 2024-11-17), making it potentially better informed about events through that date compared to GPT-4.1 (2024-06-01).

GPT-4.1

Jun 2024

Grok-3 Mini

Nov 2024

5 mo newer

Provider Availability

GPT-4.1 is available from OpenAI. Grok-3 Mini is available from xAI.

GPT-4.1

openai logo
OpenAI
Input Price:Input: $2.00/1MOutput Price:Output: $8.00/1M

Grok-3 Mini

xai logo
xAI
Input Price:Input: $0.30/1MOutput Price:Output: $0.50/1M
* Prices shown are per million tokens

Outputs Comparison

Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue discussion→

Judge for yourself.

Run your own prompts against GPT-4.1 and Grok-3 Mini side-by-side, then vote on the output you prefer.

GPT-4.1
✓ Preferred
Grok-3 Mini
Open in Playground

FAQ

Common questions about GPT-4.1 vs Grok-3 Mini.

Which is better, GPT-4.1 or Grok-3 Mini?

Grok-3 Mini significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. GPT-4.1 is made by OpenAI and Grok-3 Mini is made by xAI. The best choice depends on your use case — compare their benchmark scores, pricing, and capabilities above.

How does GPT-4.1 compare to Grok-3 Mini in benchmarks?

GPT-4.1 scores MMLU: 90.2%, CharXiv-D: 87.9%, IFEval: 87.4%, MMMLU: 87.3%, MMMU: 74.8%. Grok-3 Mini scores AIME 2024: 95.8%, AIME 2025: 90.8%, GPQA: 84.0%, LiveCodeBench: 80.4%.

Is GPT-4.1 cheaper than Grok-3 Mini?

Grok-3 Mini is 6.7x cheaper for input tokens. GPT-4.1 costs $2.00/M input and $8.00/M output via openai. Grok-3 Mini costs $0.30/M input and $0.50/M output via xai.

What are the context window sizes for GPT-4.1 and Grok-3 Mini?

GPT-4.1 supports 1.0M tokens and Grok-3 Mini 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-4.1 and Grok-3 Mini?

Key differences include context window (1.0M vs 128K), input pricing ($2.00 vs $0.30/M). See the full comparison above for benchmark-by-benchmark results.

Who makes GPT-4.1 and Grok-3 Mini?

GPT-4.1 is developed by OpenAI and Grok-3 Mini is developed by xAI.

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