Model Comparison

GPT-4.1 mini vs Granite 3.3 8B BaseWhich is better in 2026?

GPT-4.1 mini shows notably better performance in the majority of benchmarks.

Verdict: GPT-4.1 mini vs Granite 3.3 8B Base — which is better?

GPT-4.1 mini (by OpenAI) and Granite 3.3 8B Base (by IBM) 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-4.1 mini outperforms in 2 benchmarks (IFEval, MMLU), while Granite 3.3 8B Base is better at 1 benchmark (AIME 2024). GPT-4.1 mini shows notably better performance in the majority of benchmarks.

Choose GPT-4.1 mini if…

  • you want the strongest raw capability — it leads on 2 of 3 shared benchmarks

Choose Granite 3.3 8B Base if…

  • you want the most recent training data — it shipped Apr 2025
  • you need open weights you can self-host or fine-tune
Want to compare interactively?Try the playground

Performance Benchmarks

Comparative analysis across standard metrics

3 benchmarks

GPT-4.1 mini outperforms in 2 benchmarks (IFEval, MMLU), while Granite 3.3 8B Base is better at 1 benchmark (AIME 2024).

GPT-4.1 mini shows notably better performance in the majority of benchmarks.

Fri Jun 12 2026 • llm-stats.com

Arena Performance

Human preference votes

Context Window

Maximum input and output token capacity

Only GPT-4.1 mini specifies input context (1,047,576 tokens). Only GPT-4.1 mini specifies output context (32,768 tokens).

OpenAI
GPT-4.1 mini
Input1,047,576 tokens
Output32,768 tokens
IBM
Granite 3.3 8B Base
Input- tokens
Output- tokens
Fri Jun 12 2026 • llm-stats.com

Input Capabilities

Supported data types and modalities

Both GPT-4.1 mini and Granite 3.3 8B Base support multimodal inputs.

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

GPT-4.1 mini

Text
Images
Audio
Video

Granite 3.3 8B Base

Text
Images
Audio
Video

License

Usage and distribution terms

GPT-4.1 mini is licensed under a proprietary license, while Granite 3.3 8B Base uses Apache 2.0.

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

GPT-4.1 mini

Proprietary

Closed source

Granite 3.3 8B Base

Apache 2.0

Open weights

Release Timeline

When each model was launched

GPT-4.1 mini was released on 2025-04-14, while Granite 3.3 8B Base was released on 2025-04-16.

Granite 3.3 8B Base is 0 month newer than GPT-4.1 mini.

GPT-4.1 mini

Apr 14, 2025

1.2 years ago

Granite 3.3 8B Base

Apr 16, 2025

1.2 years ago

2d newer

Knowledge Cutoff

When training data ends

GPT-4.1 mini has a knowledge cutoff of 2024-05-31, while Granite 3.3 8B Base has a cutoff of 2024-04-01.

GPT-4.1 mini has more recent training data (up to 2024-05-31), making it potentially better informed about events through that date compared to Granite 3.3 8B Base (2024-04-01).

GPT-4.1 mini

May 2024

1 mo newer
Granite 3.3 8B Base

Apr 2024

Outputs Comparison

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Key Takeaways

OpenAI
Larger context window (1,047,576 tokens)
Higher IFEval score (84.1% vs 74.8%)
Higher MMLU score (87.5% vs 63.9%)
IBM
Has open weights
Higher AIME 2024 score (81.2% vs 49.6%)
OpenAIGPT-4.1 mini
IBMGranite 3.3 8B Base
Compare in Playground

Detailed Comparison

AI Model Comparison Table
Feature
OpenAI
GPT-4.1 mini
IBM
Granite 3.3 8B Base

FAQ

Common questions about GPT-4.1 mini vs Granite 3.3 8B Base.

Which is better, GPT-4.1 mini or Granite 3.3 8B Base?

GPT-4.1 mini shows notably better performance in the majority of benchmarks. GPT-4.1 mini is made by OpenAI and Granite 3.3 8B Base is made by IBM. The best choice depends on your use case — compare their benchmark scores, pricing, and capabilities above.

How does GPT-4.1 mini compare to Granite 3.3 8B Base in benchmarks?

GPT-4.1 mini scores CharXiv-D: 88.4%, MMLU: 87.5%, IFEval: 84.1%, MMMLU: 78.5%, MathVista: 73.1%. Granite 3.3 8B Base scores HumanEval: 89.7%, AttaQ: 88.5%, HumanEval+: 86.1%, AIME 2024: 81.2%, HellaSwag: 80.1%.

What are the context window sizes for GPT-4.1 mini and Granite 3.3 8B Base?

GPT-4.1 mini supports 1.0M tokens and Granite 3.3 8B Base supports an unknown number of 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 mini and Granite 3.3 8B Base?

Key differences include licensing (Proprietary vs Apache 2.0). See the full comparison above for benchmark-by-benchmark results.

Who makes GPT-4.1 mini and Granite 3.3 8B Base?

GPT-4.1 mini is developed by OpenAI and Granite 3.3 8B Base is developed by IBM.

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