DeepSeek V3 0324 vs Grok 3 Mini
DeepSeek V3 0324 (2025) and Grok 3 Mini (2025) are general-purpose language models from DeepSeek and xAI. DeepSeek V3 0324 ships a 160k-token context window, while Grok 3 Mini ships a 131k-token context window. On pricing, Grok 3 Mini costs $0.25/1M input tokens versus $0.27/1M for the alternative. This comparison covers specs, pricing, API access, capabilities, benchmarks, input and output token costs, and production fit for coding and agent workloads.
DeepSeek V3 0324 is safer overall; choose Grok 3 Mini when vision-heavy evaluation matters.
Decision scorecard
Local evidence first| Signal | DeepSeek V3 0324 | Grok 3 Mini |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | provider-routed production | multimodal apps and provider-routed production |
| Decision fit | Coding, Agents, and Long context | RAG, Long context, and Vision |
| Context window | 160k | 131k |
| Cheapest output | $1.12/1M tokens | $1.27/1M tokens |
| Provider routes | 3 tracked | 2 tracked |
| Shared benchmarks | 0 rows | 0 rows |
Decision tradeoffs
- DeepSeek V3 0324 has the larger context window for long prompts, retrieval packs, or transcript analysis.
- DeepSeek V3 0324 has the lower cheapest tracked output price at $1.12/1M tokens.
- DeepSeek V3 0324 has broader tracked provider coverage for fallback and procurement flexibility.
- Local decision data tags DeepSeek V3 0324 for Coding, Agents, and Long context.
- Grok 3 Mini uniquely exposes Vision, Multimodal, and Structured outputs in local model data.
- Local decision data tags Grok 3 Mini for RAG, Long context, and Vision.
Monthly cost at traffic
Estimate token spend from the cheapest tracked input and output route or tier on this page.
DeepSeek V3 0324
$496
Cheapest tracked route/tier: Novita AI
Grok 3 Mini
$518
Cheapest tracked route/tier: Microsoft Foundry
Estimated monthly gap: $21.50. Batch, cache, alternate speed tiers, and negotiated pricing are excluded from this local estimate.
Switch friction
- Provider overlap exists on Microsoft Foundry; start route-level A/B tests there.
- Grok 3 Mini is $0.15/1M tokens higher on cheapest tracked output pricing, so quality gains need to justify the spend.
- Grok 3 Mini adds Vision, Multimodal, and Structured outputs in local capability data.
- Provider overlap exists on Microsoft Foundry; start route-level A/B tests there.
- DeepSeek V3 0324 is $0.15/1M tokens lower on cheapest tracked output pricing before cache, batch, or negotiated discounts.
- Check replacement coverage for Vision, Multimodal, and Structured outputs before moving production traffic.
Specs
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2025-03-24 | 2025-02-17 |
| Context window | 160k | 131k |
| Parameters | 671B | — |
| Architecture | decoder only | - |
| License | MIT(OSI) | Proprietary |
| Openness | Open source | Proprietary |
| Commercial use | Commercial use allowed | Commercial use with conditions |
| Knowledge cutoff | - | 2024-11 |
Pricing and availability
| Pricing attribute | DeepSeek V3 0324 | Grok 3 Mini |
|---|---|---|
| Input price | $0.27/1M tokens | $0.25/1M tokens |
| Output price | $1.12/1M tokens | $1.27/1M tokens |
| Providers |
Capabilities
| Capability | DeepSeek V3 0324 | Grok 3 Mini |
|---|---|---|
| Vision | No | Yes |
| Multimodal | No | Yes |
| Reasoning | No | No |
| Function calling | No | No |
| Tool use | No | No |
| Structured outputs | No | Yes |
| Code execution | No | No |
| IDE integration | No | No |
| Computer use | No | No |
| Parallel agents | No | No |
Benchmarks
No shared benchmark rows are currently sourced for this pair.
Deep dive
The capability footprint differs most on vision: Grok 3 Mini, multimodal input: Grok 3 Mini, and structured outputs: Grok 3 Mini. Both models share the core language-model surface, so the practical split is not just feature count. Use those differences to decide whether the page is about raw model quality, agentic coding support, multimodal ingestion, or predictable structured API behavior.
For cost, DeepSeek V3 0324 lists $0.27/1M input and $1.12/1M output tokens on the cheapest tracked provider, while Grok 3 Mini lists $0.25/1M input and $1.27/1M output tokens on the cheapest tracked provider. A 70/30 input-output blend puts DeepSeek V3 0324 lower by about $0.03 per million blended tokens. Availability is 3 providers versus 2, so concentration risk also matters.
Choose DeepSeek V3 0324 when long-context analysis, larger context windows, and broader provider choice are central to the workload. Choose Grok 3 Mini when vision-heavy evaluation and lower input-token cost are more important. For production, rerun your own prompts through the exact provider, region, and tool stack you plan to ship. This keeps the decision grounded in measurable tradeoffs instead of brand-level assumptions.
FAQ
Which has a larger context window, DeepSeek V3 0324 or Grok 3 Mini?
DeepSeek V3 0324 supports 160k tokens, while Grok 3 Mini supports 131k tokens. That gap matters most for long documents, large codebases, retrieval-heavy agents, and conversations where earlier context must remain visible.
Which is cheaper, DeepSeek V3 0324 or Grok 3 Mini?
DeepSeek V3 0324 is cheaper on tracked token pricing. DeepSeek V3 0324 costs $0.27/1M input and $1.12/1M output tokens. Grok 3 Mini costs $0.25/1M input and $1.27/1M output tokens. Provider discounts or batch pricing can still change the final bill.
Is DeepSeek V3 0324 or Grok 3 Mini open source?
DeepSeek V3 0324 is listed under MIT. Grok 3 Mini is listed under Proprietary. License labels affect whether you can self-host, redistribute weights, or rely only on hosted APIs, so confirm the upstream license before deployment.
Which is better for vision, DeepSeek V3 0324 or Grok 3 Mini?
Grok 3 Mini has the clearer documented vision signal in this comparison. If vision is mission-critical, validate it against the provider endpoint because model-level support and API-level exposure can differ.
Which is better for multimodal input, DeepSeek V3 0324 or Grok 3 Mini?
Grok 3 Mini has the clearer documented multimodal input signal in this comparison. If multimodal input is mission-critical, validate it against the provider endpoint because model-level support and API-level exposure can differ.
Where can I run DeepSeek V3 0324 and Grok 3 Mini?
DeepSeek V3 0324 is available on Fireworks AI, Microsoft Foundry, and Novita AI. Grok 3 Mini is available on OpenRouter and Microsoft Foundry. Provider coverage can affect latency, region availability, compliance posture, and fallback options.
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Last reviewed: 2026-06-04. Data sourced from public model cards and provider documentation.