Model Comparison

GPT-4o mini vs QwQ-32B-PreviewWhich is better in 2026?

QwQ-32B-Preview significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. QwQ-32B-Preview is 1.6x cheaper per token.

Verdict: GPT-4o mini vs QwQ-32B-Preview — which is better?

GPT-4o mini (by OpenAI) and QwQ-32B-Preview (by Alibaba Cloud / Qwen Team) 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-4o mini outperforms in 0 benchmarks, while QwQ-32B-Preview is better at 1 benchmark (GPQA). QwQ-32B-Preview significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

On price, QwQ-32B-Preview is roughly 1.6x cheaper per token on a blended 3:1 input/output basis, which adds up quickly at production volume.

GPT-4o mini also accepts a larger context window (128,000 input tokens), making it the stronger choice for long documents and large codebases.

Choose GPT-4o mini if…

  • you process long inputs — it offers a 128,000 token context window

Choose QwQ-32B-Preview if…

  • you want the strongest raw capability — it leads on 1 of 1 shared benchmarks
  • cost matters — it's about 1.6x cheaper per token
  • you want the most recent training data — it shipped Nov 2024
  • you need open weights you can self-host or fine-tune
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Performance Benchmarks

Comparative analysis across standard metrics

1 benchmarks

GPT-4o mini outperforms in 0 benchmarks, while QwQ-32B-Preview is better at 1 benchmark (GPQA).

QwQ-32B-Preview significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

Thu Jun 25 2026 • llm-stats.com

Arena Performance

Human preference votes

Pricing Analysis

Price comparison per million tokens

QwQ-32B-Preview costs less

For input processing, GPT-4o mini ($0.15/1M tokens) costs the same as QwQ-32B-Preview ($0.15/1M tokens).

For output processing, GPT-4o mini ($0.60/1M tokens) is 3.0x more expensive than QwQ-32B-Preview ($0.20/1M tokens).

In conclusion, GPT-4o mini is more expensive than QwQ-32B-Preview.*

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

Lowest available price from all providers
Thu Jun 25 2026 • llm-stats.com
OpenAI
GPT-4o mini
Input tokens$0.15
Output tokens$0.60
Best providerAzure
Alibaba Cloud / Qwen Team
QwQ-32B-Preview
Input tokens$0.15
Output tokens$0.20
Best providerDeepinfra
Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue→

Context Window

Maximum input and output token capacity

GPT-4o mini accepts 128,000 input tokens compared to QwQ-32B-Preview's 32,768 tokens. QwQ-32B-Preview can generate longer responses up to 32,768 tokens, while GPT-4o mini is limited to 16,384 tokens.

OpenAI
GPT-4o mini
Input128,000 tokens
Output16,384 tokens
Alibaba Cloud / Qwen Team
QwQ-32B-Preview
Input32,768 tokens
Output32,768 tokens
Thu Jun 25 2026 • llm-stats.com

Input Capabilities

Supported data types and modalities

GPT-4o mini supports multimodal inputs, whereas QwQ-32B-Preview does not.

GPT-4o mini can handle both text and other forms of data like images, making it suitable for multimodal applications.

GPT-4o mini

Text
Images
Audio
Video

QwQ-32B-Preview

Text
Images
Audio
Video

License

Usage and distribution terms

GPT-4o mini is licensed under a proprietary license, while QwQ-32B-Preview uses Apache 2.0.

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

GPT-4o mini

Proprietary

Closed source

QwQ-32B-Preview

Apache 2.0

Open weights

Release Timeline

When each model was launched

GPT-4o mini was released on 2024-07-18, while QwQ-32B-Preview was released on 2024-11-28.

QwQ-32B-Preview is 4 months newer than GPT-4o mini.

GPT-4o mini

Jul 18, 2024

1.9 years ago

QwQ-32B-Preview

Nov 28, 2024

1.6 years ago

4mo newer

Knowledge Cutoff

When training data ends

GPT-4o mini has a knowledge cutoff of 2023-10-01, while QwQ-32B-Preview has a cutoff of 2024-11-28.

QwQ-32B-Preview has more recent training data (up to 2024-11-28), making it potentially better informed about events through that date compared to GPT-4o mini (2023-10-01).

GPT-4o mini

Oct 2023

QwQ-32B-Preview

Nov 2024

1.1 yr newer

Provider Availability

GPT-4o mini is available from Azure. QwQ-32B-Preview is available from DeepInfra, Hyperbolic, Fireworks, Together.

GPT-4o mini

azure logo
Azure
Input Price:Input: $0.15/1MOutput Price:Output: $0.60/1M

QwQ-32B-Preview

deepinfra logo
Deepinfra
Input Price:Input: $0.15/1MOutput Price:Output: $0.60/1M
hyperbolic logo
Hyperbolic
Input Price:Input: $0.20/1MOutput Price:Output: $0.20/1M
fireworks logo
Fireworks
Input Price:Input: $0.89/1MOutput Price:Output: $0.89/1M
together logo
Together
Input Price:Input: $1.20/1MOutput Price:Output: $1.20/1M
* Prices shown are per million tokens

Outputs Comparison

Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue discussion→

Key Takeaways

OpenAI
Larger context window (128,000 tokens)
Supports multimodal inputs
Alibaba Cloud / Qwen Team

QwQ-32B-Preview

View details

Alibaba Cloud / Qwen Team

Less expensive output tokens
Has open weights
Higher GPQA score (65.2% vs 40.2%)

Detailed Comparison

AI Model Comparison Table
Feature
OpenAI
GPT-4o mini
Alibaba Cloud / Qwen Team
QwQ-32B-Preview

FAQ

Common questions about GPT-4o mini vs QwQ-32B-Preview.

Which is better, GPT-4o mini or QwQ-32B-Preview?

QwQ-32B-Preview significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. GPT-4o mini is made by OpenAI and QwQ-32B-Preview is made by Alibaba Cloud / Qwen Team. The best choice depends on your use case — compare their benchmark scores, pricing, and capabilities above.

How does GPT-4o mini compare to QwQ-32B-Preview in benchmarks?

GPT-4o mini scores HumanEval: 87.2%, MGSM: 87.0%, MMLU: 82.0%, DROP: 79.7%, MATH: 70.2%. QwQ-32B-Preview scores MATH-500: 90.6%, GPQA: 65.2%, AIME 2024: 50.0%, LiveCodeBench: 50.0%.

Is GPT-4o mini cheaper than QwQ-32B-Preview?

Both models cost $0.15 per million input tokens.

What are the context window sizes for GPT-4o mini and QwQ-32B-Preview?

GPT-4o mini supports 128K tokens and QwQ-32B-Preview supports 33K tokens. A larger context window lets you process longer documents, conversations, or codebases in a single request.

What are the main differences between GPT-4o mini and QwQ-32B-Preview?

Key differences include context window (128K vs 33K), multimodal support (yes vs no), licensing (Proprietary vs Apache 2.0). See the full comparison above for benchmark-by-benchmark results.

Who makes GPT-4o mini and QwQ-32B-Preview?

GPT-4o mini is developed by OpenAI and QwQ-32B-Preview is developed by Alibaba Cloud / Qwen Team.

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