Model Comparison
Grok-3 Mini vs Llama 3.2 11B InstructWhich is better in 2026?
Grok-3 Mini significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. Llama 3.2 11B Instruct is 7.0x cheaper per token.
Verdict: Grok-3 Mini vs Llama 3.2 11B Instruct — which is better?
Grok-3 Mini (by xAI) and Llama 3.2 11B Instruct (by Meta) 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.
Grok-3 Mini outperforms in 1 benchmarks (GPQA), while Llama 3.2 11B Instruct is better at 0 benchmarks. Grok-3 Mini significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.
On price, Llama 3.2 11B Instruct is roughly 7.0x cheaper per token on a blended 3:1 input/output basis, which adds up quickly at production volume.
Choose Grok-3 Mini if…
- you want the strongest raw capability — it leads on 1 of 1 shared benchmarks
- you want the most recent training data — it shipped Feb 2025
Choose Llama 3.2 11B Instruct if…
- cost matters — it's about 7.0x cheaper per token
- you need open weights you can self-host or fine-tune
Performance Benchmarks
Comparative analysis across standard metrics
Grok-3 Mini outperforms in 1 benchmarks (GPQA), while Llama 3.2 11B Instruct is better at 0 benchmarks.
Grok-3 Mini significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.
Arena Performance
Human preference votes
Pricing Analysis
Price comparison per million tokens
For input processing, Grok-3 Mini ($0.30/1M tokens) is 6.0x more expensive than Llama 3.2 11B Instruct ($0.05/1M tokens).
For output processing, Grok-3 Mini ($0.50/1M tokens) is 10.0x more expensive than Llama 3.2 11B Instruct ($0.05/1M tokens).
In conclusion, Grok-3 Mini is more expensive than Llama 3.2 11B Instruct.*
* Using a 3:1 ratio of input to output tokens
Context Window
Maximum input and output token capacity
Both models have the same input context window of 128,000 tokens. Llama 3.2 11B Instruct can generate longer responses up to 128,000 tokens, while Grok-3 Mini is limited to 8,000 tokens.
Input Capabilities
Supported data types and modalities
Both Grok-3 Mini and Llama 3.2 11B Instruct support multimodal inputs.
They are both capable of processing various types of data, offering versatility in application.
Grok-3 Mini
Llama 3.2 11B Instruct
License
Usage and distribution terms
Grok-3 Mini is licensed under a proprietary license, while Llama 3.2 11B Instruct uses Llama 3.2 Community License.
License differences may affect how you can use these models in commercial or open-source projects.
Proprietary
Closed source
Llama 3.2 Community License
Open weights
Release Timeline
When each model was launched
Grok-3 Mini was released on 2025-02-17, while Llama 3.2 11B Instruct was released on 2024-09-25.
Grok-3 Mini is 5 months newer than Llama 3.2 11B Instruct.
Feb 17, 2025
1.4 years ago
4mo newerSep 25, 2024
1.8 years ago
Knowledge Cutoff
When training data ends
Grok-3 Mini has a knowledge cutoff of 2024-11-17, while Llama 3.2 11B Instruct has a cutoff of 2023-12-31.
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 Llama 3.2 11B Instruct (2023-12-31).
Nov 2024
11 mo newerDec 2023
Provider Availability
Grok-3 Mini is available from xAI. Llama 3.2 11B Instruct is available from DeepInfra, Sambanova, Bedrock, Groq, Together, Fireworks.
Grok-3 Mini
Llama 3.2 11B Instruct
Outputs Comparison
Key Takeaways
Grok-3 MiniLlama 3.2 11B InstructDetailed Comparison
Interactive Arena
Judge for yourself.
Run your own prompts against Grok-3 Mini and Llama 3.2 11B Instruct side-by-side, then vote on the output you prefer.
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FAQ
Common questions about Grok-3 Mini vs Llama 3.2 11B Instruct.