Llama 4 Maverick vs GPT-5 Mini
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.
Quick verdict: which should you choose?
Choose Llama 4 Maverick if you need
- ✓Choose Llama 4 Maverick if you need the largest 1M-token context window for long text and image tasks.
- ✓Choose Llama 4 Maverick if you need faster output at 107.41 t/s and lower cost of $0.6 per 1M tokens.
- ✓Choose Llama 4 Maverick if you need open weights and native text-plus-image multimodal support from Meta.
- ✓Choose Llama 4 Maverick if you need strong general reasoning at minimal per-token expense.
Choose GPT-5 Mini if you need
- ✓Choose GPT-5 Mini if you need the highest intelligence index of 30.9 for complex reasoning.
- ✓Choose GPT-5 Mini if you need integration of text, image, and file inputs in one model.
- ✓Choose GPT-5 Mini if you need efficient handling of very large contexts in a compact proprietary design.
- ✓Choose GPT-5 Mini if you need suitability for complex multi-turn multimodal tasks.
Verdict
GPT-5 Mini leads on raw intelligence (30.9 vs 14.3) and supports text/image/file inputs for complex multi-turn work, while Llama 4 Maverick wins on speed (107.41 vs 95.79 t/s), price ($0.6 vs $2 per 1M), and a much larger 1M-token context window. Llama 4 Maverick is open-weight from Meta; GPT-5 Mini is proprietary from OpenAI. The choice hinges on whether intelligence and modality breadth or speed, cost, and context size matter most.
Llama 4 Maverick vs GPT-5 Mini: side by side
| Spec | Llama 4 Maverick | GPT-5 Mini | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | 14.3 | 30.9 | GPT-5 Mini |
| Output speed | 107 t/s | 96 t/s | Llama 4 Maverick |
| Output price | $0.60/1M | $2.00/1M | Llama 4 Maverick |
| Context | 1049K | 400K | Llama 4 Maverick |
| Params | — | — | Tie |
| Provider | Meta | OpenAI | Tie |
Detailed analysis
Intelligence
Winner: GPT-5 MiniGPT-5 Mini scores 30.9 on the intelligence index compared with Llama 4 Maverick's 14.3. This gap favors GPT-5 Mini on tasks requiring deeper reasoning, though both models note limitations on highly complex or nuanced outputs.
Speed and Cost
Winner: Llama 4 MaverickLlama 4 Maverick delivers 107.41 tokens per second at $0.6 per million tokens versus GPT-5 Mini's 95.79 t/s at $2 per million. These metrics give Llama 4 Maverick clear advantages for high-volume or latency-sensitive workloads.
Context Window
Winner: Llama 4 MaverickLlama 4 Maverick provides a 1,048,576-token context window while GPT-5 Mini offers 400,000 tokens. Llama 4 Maverick therefore supports longer text-and-image sequences, though it carries higher compute demands at full context length.
Modalities and Access
Winner: TieLlama 4 Maverick is open-weight with native text and image support; GPT-5 Mini is proprietary and adds file inputs. Each model therefore trades openness and modality breadth differently depending on deployment needs.
Llama 4 Maverick
Pros
- +Very large 1M token context window
- +Native multimodal support for text and images
- +Open weights from Meta
Cons
- –High compute requirements for full context
- –Limited to text and image modalities
- –Potential for hallucinations on complex tasks
GPT-5 Mini
Pros
- +Handles very large contexts efficiently
- +Integrates text, image, and file inputs
- +Suitable for complex multi-turn tasks
Cons
- –Reduced depth on highly complex reasoning vs full-size models
- –Performance depends on input clarity across modalities
- –May require careful prompting for nuanced outputs
Summary: Llama 4 Maverick vs GPT-5 Mini
Select Llama 4 Maverick when speed, price, open weights, and maximum context length are priorities. Select GPT-5 Mini when higher intelligence and file-inclusive multimodal inputs outweigh the higher cost and smaller context. Both remain viable depending on exact workload constraints.
Frequently asked questions
GPT-5 Mini scores higher on intelligence while Llama 4 Maverick is faster, cheaper, and offers a larger context window; neither is universally better.