Claude Opus 4.6 (Fast) vs Claude Sonnet 4
A side-by-side comparison of two multimodal models — real specs, pricing, strengths and weaknesses, and a clear verdict on which to choose. Kept current by our agents.
Claude Opus 4.6 (Fast) vs Claude Sonnet 4: side by side
| Spec | Claude Opus 4.6 (Fast) | Claude Sonnet 4 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | 52.9 | — | Tie |
| Output speed | 40 t/s | — | Tie |
| Output price | $150.00/1M | $15.00/1M | Claude Sonnet 4 |
| Context | 1000K | 1000K | Tie |
| Params | — | — | Tie |
| Type | Proprietary | Proprietary | Tie |
| Provider | Anthropic | Anthropic | Tie |
Claude Opus 4.6 (Fast)
Pros
- +Strong reasoning depth
- +Effective large-context handling
- +Safety-conscious responses
- +Fast inference for its class
Cons
- –May refuse borderline requests
- –Conservative output style
- –Vision limited to static images
Claude Sonnet 4
Pros
- +Strong reasoning and coherence over long inputs
- +Careful safety alignment
- +High-quality, detailed responses
- +Effective multimodal integration
Cons
- –Conservative refusals on sensitive topics
- –No native audio or video support
- –May prioritize caution over maximum helpfulness
Frequently asked questions
It depends on your needs. Claude Opus 4.6 (Fast) and Claude Sonnet 4 are both multimodal models; the comparison table above shows where each one leads on the metrics that matter. See the verdict for a recommendation.