Model Comparison

GPT-4.1 mini vs Kimi K3Which is better in 2026?

Kimi K3 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. GPT-4.1 mini is 8.6x cheaper per token.

Verdict: GPT-4.1 mini vs Kimi K3 — which is better?

GPT-4.1 mini (by OpenAI) and Kimi K3 (by Moonshot 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-4.1 mini outperforms in 0 benchmarks, while Kimi K3 is better at 3 benchmarks (CharXiv-R, GPQA, Humanity's Last Exam). Kimi K3 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

On price, GPT-4.1 mini is roughly 8.6x cheaper per token on a blended 3:1 input/output basis, which adds up quickly at production volume.

Kimi K3 also accepts a larger context window (1,048,576 input tokens), making it the stronger choice for long documents and large codebases.

Choose GPT-4.1 mini if…

  • cost matters — it's about 8.6x cheaper per token

Choose Kimi K3 if…

  • you want the strongest raw capability — it leads on 3 of 3 shared benchmarks
  • you process long inputs — it offers a 1,048,576 token context window
  • you want the most recent training data — it shipped Jul 2026

Performance Benchmarks

Comparative analysis across standard metrics

3 benchmarks

GPT-4.1 mini outperforms in 0 benchmarks, while Kimi K3 is better at 3 benchmarks (CharXiv-R, GPQA, Humanity's Last Exam).

Kimi K3 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

Tue Jul 21 2026 • llm-stats.com

Arena Performance

Human preference votes

Pricing Analysis

Price comparison per million tokens

GPT-4.1 mini costs less

For input processing, GPT-4.1 mini ($0.40/1M tokens) is 7.5x cheaper than Kimi K3 ($3.00/1M tokens).

For output processing, GPT-4.1 mini ($1.60/1M tokens) is 9.4x cheaper than Kimi K3 ($15.00/1M tokens).

In conclusion, Kimi K3 is more expensive than GPT-4.1 mini.*

* 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-4.1 mini
Input tokens$0.40
Output tokens$1.60
Best providerOpenAI
Moonshot AI
Kimi K3
Input tokens$3.00
Output tokens$15.00
Best providerUnknown Organization
Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue→

Context Window

Maximum input and output token capacity

Kimi K3 accepts 1,048,576 input tokens compared to GPT-4.1 mini's 1,047,576 tokens. Kimi K3 can generate longer responses up to 1,048,576 tokens, while GPT-4.1 mini is limited to 32,768 tokens.

OpenAI
GPT-4.1 mini
Input1,047,576 tokens
Output32,768 tokens
Moonshot AI
Kimi K3
Input1,048,576 tokens
Output1,048,576 tokens
Tue Jul 21 2026 • llm-stats.com

Input Capabilities

Supported data types and modalities

Both GPT-4.1 mini and Kimi K3 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

Kimi K3

Text
Images
Audio
Video

Release Timeline

When each model was launched

GPT-4.1 mini was released on 2025-04-14, while Kimi K3 was released on 2026-07-16.

Kimi K3 is 15 months newer than GPT-4.1 mini.

GPT-4.1 mini

Apr 14, 2025

1.3 years ago

Kimi K3

Jul 16, 2026

4 days ago

1.3yr newer

Knowledge Cutoff

When training data ends

GPT-4.1 mini has a documented knowledge cutoff of 2024-05-31, while Kimi K3's cutoff date is not specified.

We can confirm GPT-4.1 mini's training data extends to 2024-05-31, but cannot make a direct comparison without Kimi K3's cutoff date.

GPT-4.1 mini

May 2024

Kimi K3

—

Provider Availability

GPT-4.1 mini is available from OpenAI. Kimi K3 is available from Moonshot AI.

GPT-4.1 mini

openai logo
OpenAI
Input Price:Input: $0.40/1MOutput Price:Output: $1.60/1M

Kimi K3

moonshot logo
Unknown Organization
Input Price:Input: $3.00/1MOutput Price:Output: $15.00/1M
* Prices shown are per million tokens

Outputs Comparison

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Key Takeaways

OpenAI
Less expensive input tokens
Less expensive output tokens
Moonshot AI
Larger context window (1,048,576 tokens)
Has open weights
Higher CharXiv-R score (91.3% vs 56.8%)
Higher GPQA score (93.5% vs 65.0%)
Higher Humanity's Last Exam score (56.0% vs 3.7%)
OpenAIGPT-4.1 mini
Moonshot AIKimi K3
Compare in Playground

Detailed Comparison

Interactive Arena

Judge for yourself.

Run your own prompts against GPT-4.1 mini and Kimi K3 side-by-side, then vote on the output you prefer.

GPT-4.1 mini
✓ Preferred
Kimi K3
Open in Playground
AI Model Comparison Table
Feature
OpenAI
GPT-4.1 mini
Moonshot AI
Kimi K3

FAQ

Common questions about GPT-4.1 mini vs Kimi K3.

Which is better, GPT-4.1 mini or Kimi K3?

Kimi K3 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. GPT-4.1 mini is made by OpenAI and Kimi K3 is made by Moonshot AI. The best choice depends on your use case — compare their benchmark scores, pricing, and capabilities above.

How does GPT-4.1 mini compare to Kimi K3 in benchmarks?

GPT-4.1 mini scores CharXiv-D: 88.4%, MMLU: 87.5%, IFEval: 84.1%, MMMLU: 78.5%, MathVista: 73.1%. Kimi K3 scores MathVision: 97.8%, DeepSearchQA: 95.0%, GPQA: 93.5%, CharXiv-R: 91.3%, BrowseComp: 91.2%.

Is GPT-4.1 mini cheaper than Kimi K3?

GPT-4.1 mini is 7.5x cheaper for input tokens. GPT-4.1 mini costs $0.40/M input and $1.60/M output via openai. Kimi K3 costs $3.00/M input and $15.00/M output via moonshot.

What are the context window sizes for GPT-4.1 mini and Kimi K3?

GPT-4.1 mini supports 1.0M tokens and Kimi K3 supports 1.0M 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 Kimi K3?

Key differences include context window (1.0M vs 1.0M), input pricing ($0.40 vs $3.00/M), licensing (Proprietary vs Unknown). See the full comparison above for benchmark-by-benchmark results.

Who makes GPT-4.1 mini and Kimi K3?

GPT-4.1 mini is developed by OpenAI and Kimi K3 is developed by Moonshot AI.

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