GPT-5.1 Codex Mini vs Qwen3 Max
Qwen3 Max leads the LLM Stats Score 21.7 to -2.5. GPT-5.1 Codex Mini is 2.4x cheaper per token.
OpenAI · Alibaba Cloud / Qwen Team · Updated for 2026
Which is better?
Qwen3 Max leads the overall LLM Stats Score 21.7 to -2.5, ranking #177 overall.
In the 1 individual benchmarks reported for both models, Qwen3 Max wins 1; this is a narrower head-to-head signal than the composite indexes.
On price, GPT-5.1 Codex Mini is roughly 2.4x cheaper per token on a blended 3:1 input/output basis, which adds up quickly at production volume.
GPT-5.1 Codex Mini also accepts a larger context window (400,000 input tokens), making it the stronger choice for long documents and large codebases.
Based on current LLM Stats indexes, shared benchmarks, pricing, and model metadata for 2026.
Choose GPT-5.1 Codex Mini
- cost matters — it's about 2.4x cheaper per token
- you process long inputs — it offers a 400,000 token context window
Choose Qwen3 Max
- overall performance matters — it scores 21.7 and ranks #177 on LLM Stats
- your work emphasizes reasoning — it leads those capability indexes
- you value its reported benchmark strengths — it wins 1 of 1 exact shared results
- you want the most recent training data — it shipped Dec 2025
At a glance
The differences that matter most.
Individual benchmarks
1 reported for GPT-5.1 Codex Mini · 6 for Qwen3 Max
GPT-5.1 Codex Mini outperforms in 0 benchmarks, while Qwen3 Max is better at 1 benchmark (AIME 2025).
Qwen3 Max significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.
Human preference
Blind head-to-head votes and playground preference scores
Pricing Analysis
Price comparison per million tokens
For input processing, GPT-5.1 Codex Mini ($0.25/1M tokens) is 2.0x cheaper than Qwen3 Max ($0.50/1M tokens).
For output processing, GPT-5.1 Codex Mini ($2.00/1M tokens) is 2.5x cheaper than Qwen3 Max ($5.00/1M tokens).
In conclusion, Qwen3 Max is more expensive than GPT-5.1 Codex Mini.*
* Using a 3:1 ratio of input to output tokens
Context Window
Maximum input and output token capacity
GPT-5.1 Codex Mini accepts 400,000 input tokens compared to Qwen3 Max's 256,000 tokens. Qwen3 Max can generate longer responses up to 131,072 tokens, while GPT-5.1 Codex Mini is limited to 128,000 tokens.
Input capabilities
Documented input modalities across available providers
GPT-5.1 Codex Mini supports multimodal inputs, whereas Qwen3 Max does not.
GPT-5.1 Codex Mini can handle both text and other forms of data like images, making it suitable for multimodal applications.
GPT-5.1 Codex Mini
Qwen3 Max
License
Usage and distribution terms
Both models are licensed under proprietary licenses.
Both models have usage restrictions defined by their respective organizations.
Proprietary
Closed source
Proprietary
Closed source
Release Timeline
When each model was launched
GPT-5.1 Codex Mini was released on 2025-11-12, while Qwen3 Max was released on 2025-12-15.
Qwen3 Max is 1 month newer than GPT-5.1 Codex Mini.
Nov 12, 2025
9 months ago
Dec 15, 2025
8 months ago
1mo newerKnowledge Cutoff
When training data ends
Neither model specifies a knowledge cutoff date.
Unable to compare the recency of their training data.
Provider Availability
GPT-5.1 Codex Mini is available from OpenAI. Qwen3 Max is available from Novita.
GPT-5.1 Codex Mini
Qwen3 Max
Outputs Comparison
Judge for yourself.
Run your own prompts against GPT-5.1 Codex Mini and Qwen3 Max side-by-side, then vote on the output you prefer.
FAQ
Common questions about GPT-5.1 Codex Mini vs Qwen3 Max.