Claude Opus 4.6 vs Claude Sonnet 4.6
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 vs Claude Sonnet 4.6: side by side
| Spec | Claude Opus 4.6 | Claude Sonnet 4.6 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | 52.9 | 42.6 | Claude Opus 4.6 |
| Output speed | 40 t/s | 44 t/s | Claude Sonnet 4.6 |
| Output price | $25.00/1M | $15.00/1M | Claude Sonnet 4.6 |
| Context | 1000K | 1000K | Tie |
| Params | — | — | Tie |
| Type | Proprietary | Proprietary | Tie |
| Provider | Anthropic | Anthropic | Tie |
Claude Opus 4.6
Pros
- +Strong performance on nuanced reasoning tasks
- +Careful and safety-aligned responses
- +Effective handling of large inputs
- +High-quality structured outputs
Cons
- –Slower response times on complex queries
- –More conservative on borderline topics
- –No native real-time web access
Claude Sonnet 4.6
Pros
- +Strong logical coherence
- +Careful safety alignment
- +Effective handling of large contexts
- +High-quality multimodal integration
Cons
- –Conservative refusal patterns on edge cases
- –Slower response times on complex inputs
- –Knowledge limited to training cutoff
Frequently asked questions
It depends on your needs. Claude Opus 4.6 and Claude Sonnet 4.6 are both multimodal models; the comparison table above shows where each one leads on the metrics that matter. See the verdict for a recommendation.