Model Comparison

Kimi-k1.5 vs Step3-VL-10BWhich is better in 2026?

Step3-VL-10B significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

Verdict: Kimi-k1.5 vs Step3-VL-10B — which is better?

Kimi-k1.5 (by Moonshot AI) and Step3-VL-10B (by StepFun) 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.

Kimi-k1.5 outperforms in 0 benchmarks, while Step3-VL-10B is better at 2 benchmarks (MathVista, MMMU). Step3-VL-10B significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

Choose Kimi-k1.5 if…

  • you are already invested in the Moonshot AI ecosystem

Choose Step3-VL-10B if…

  • you want the strongest raw capability — it leads on 2 of 2 shared benchmarks
  • you want the most recent training data — it shipped Jan 2026
  • you need open weights you can self-host or fine-tune

Performance Benchmarks

Comparative analysis across standard metrics

2 benchmarks

Kimi-k1.5 outperforms in 0 benchmarks, while Step3-VL-10B is better at 2 benchmarks (MathVista, MMMU).

Step3-VL-10B significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

Tue Jul 21 2026 • llm-stats.com

Arena Performance

Human preference votes

Input Capabilities

Supported data types and modalities

Both Kimi-k1.5 and Step3-VL-10B support multimodal inputs.

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

Kimi-k1.5

Text
Images
Audio
Video

Step3-VL-10B

Text
Images
Audio
Video

License

Usage and distribution terms

Kimi-k1.5 is licensed under a proprietary license, while Step3-VL-10B uses Apache 2.0.

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

Kimi-k1.5

Proprietary

Closed source

Step3-VL-10B

Apache 2.0

Open weights

Release Timeline

When each model was launched

Kimi-k1.5 was released on 2025-01-20, while Step3-VL-10B was released on 2026-01-15.

Step3-VL-10B is 12 months newer than Kimi-k1.5.

Kimi-k1.5

Jan 20, 2025

1.5 years ago

Step3-VL-10B

Jan 15, 2026

6 months ago

12mo newer

Knowledge Cutoff

When training data ends

Neither model specifies a knowledge cutoff date.

Unable to compare the recency of their training data.

No cutoff dates available

Outputs Comparison

Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue discussion→

Key Takeaways

Moonshot AI

No standout differentiators in the data we have for this pair.

StepFun
Has open weights
Higher MathVista score (84.0% vs 74.9%)
Higher MMMU score (78.1% vs 70.0%)

Detailed Comparison

Interactive Arena

Judge for yourself.

Run your own prompts against Kimi-k1.5 and Step3-VL-10B side-by-side, then vote on the output you prefer.

Kimi-k1.5
✓ Preferred
Step3-VL-10B
Open in Playground
AI Model Comparison Table
Feature
Moonshot AI
Kimi-k1.5
StepFun
Step3-VL-10B

FAQ

Common questions about Kimi-k1.5 vs Step3-VL-10B.

Which is better, Kimi-k1.5 or Step3-VL-10B?

Step3-VL-10B significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. Kimi-k1.5 is made by Moonshot AI and Step3-VL-10B is made by StepFun. The best choice depends on your use case — compare their benchmark scores, pricing, and capabilities above.

How does Kimi-k1.5 compare to Step3-VL-10B in benchmarks?

Kimi-k1.5 scores MATH-500: 96.2%, CLUEWSC: 91.4%, C-Eval: 88.3%, MMLU: 87.4%, IFEval: 87.2%. Step3-VL-10B scores MMBench: 91.8%, AIME 2025: 87.7%, MathVista: 84.0%, MMMU: 78.1%, MathVision: 70.8%.

What are the main differences between Kimi-k1.5 and Step3-VL-10B?

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

Who makes Kimi-k1.5 and Step3-VL-10B?

Kimi-k1.5 is developed by Moonshot AI and Step3-VL-10B is developed by StepFun.

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