Fugu vs Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite
Fugu (2026) and Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite (2026) are frontier reasoning models from Sakana AI and Google DeepMind. Fugu ships a 1m-token context window, while Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite ships a 1.05m-token context window. On Google-Proof Q&A, Fugu leads by 8.6 pts. This comparison covers specs, pricing, API access, capabilities, benchmarks, input and output token costs, and production fit for coding and agent workloads.
Fugu is safer overall; choose Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite when coding workflow support matters.
Decision scorecard
Local evidence first| Signal | Fugu | Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | reasoning-heavy apps, multimodal apps, and tool-calling agents | multimodal apps, tool-calling agents, and long-context analysis |
| Decision fit | Coding, RAG, and Agents | Coding, RAG, and Agents |
| Context window | 1m | 1.05m |
| Cheapest output | - | $1.50/1M tokens |
| Provider routes | 1 tracked | 3 tracked |
| Shared benchmarks | Google-Proof Q&A leader | 1 shared |
Decision tradeoffs
- Fugu holds a shared-benchmark lead on Google-Proof Q&A, ahead by 8.6 points.
- Fugu uniquely exposes Reasoning in local model data.
- Local decision data tags Fugu for Coding, RAG, and Agents.
- Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite has the larger context window for long prompts, retrieval packs, or transcript analysis.
- Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite has broader tracked provider coverage for fallback and procurement flexibility.
- Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite uniquely exposes Code execution in local model data.
- Local decision data tags Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite for Coding, RAG, and Agents.
Monthly cost at traffic
Estimate token spend from the cheapest tracked input and output route or tier on this page.
Fugu
Unavailable
No complete token price in local provider data
Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite
$575
Cheapest tracked route/tier: Google AI Studio
Cost delta unavailable until both models have sourced input and output token prices.
Switch friction
- No overlapping tracked provider route is sourced for Fugu and Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite; plan for SDK, billing, or endpoint changes.
- Check replacement coverage for Reasoning before moving production traffic.
- Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite adds Code execution in local capability data.
- No overlapping tracked provider route is sourced for Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite and Fugu; plan for SDK, billing, or endpoint changes.
- Check replacement coverage for Code execution before moving production traffic.
- Fugu adds Reasoning in local capability data.
Specs
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2026-06-22 | 2026-05-07 |
| Context window | 1m | 1.05m |
| Parameters | — | — |
| Architecture | Composition of Experts | Decoder Only |
| License | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Openness | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Commercial use | Commercial use: conditional | Commercial use: conditional |
| Knowledge cutoff | - | 2025-01 |
Pricing and availability
| Pricing attribute | Fugu | Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Input price | - | $0.25/1M tokens |
| Output price | - | $1.50/1M tokens |
| Providers |
Capabilities
| Capability | Fugu | Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Vision | Yes | Yes |
| Multimodal | Yes | Yes |
| Reasoning | Yes | No |
| Function calling | Yes | Yes |
| Tool use | Yes | Yes |
| Structured outputs | Yes | Yes |
| Code execution | No | Yes |
| IDE integration | No | No |
| Computer use | No | No |
| Parallel agents | No | No |
Benchmarks
| Benchmark | Fugu | Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Google-Proof Q&A | 95.5 | 86.9 |
Deep dive
On shared benchmark coverage, Google-Proof Q&A has Fugu at 95.5 and Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite at 86.9, with Fugu ahead by 8.6 points. The largest visible gap is 8.6 points on Google-Proof Q&A, which matters most when that benchmark mirrors your workload. Treat isolated benchmark wins as directional, because provider routing, prompt style, and tool access can move real application results.
The capability footprint differs most on reasoning mode: Fugu and code execution: Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite. Both models share vision, multimodal input, function calling, and tool use, 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.
Pricing coverage is uneven: Fugu has no token price sourced yet and Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite has $0.25/1M input tokens. Provider availability is 1 tracked routes versus 3. Treat unknown pricing as an integration gap, then verify the route you will actually call before estimating production spend.
Choose Fugu when reasoning depth are central to the workload. Choose Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite when coding workflow support, larger context windows, and broader provider choice are more important. For production, rerun your own prompts through the exact provider, region, and tool stack you plan to ship.
FAQ
Which has a larger context window, Fugu or Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite?
Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite supports 1.05m tokens, while Fugu supports 1m tokens. That gap matters most for long documents, large codebases, retrieval-heavy agents, and conversations where earlier context must remain visible.
Is Fugu or Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite open source?
Fugu is listed under Proprietary. Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite 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, Fugu or Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite?
Both Fugu and Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite expose vision. The better choice depends on benchmark fit, context budget, pricing, and whether your provider route exposes the same capability surface. Use this as a quick comparison signal, then confirm the provider-specific limits before committing to production.
Which is better for multimodal input, Fugu or Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite?
Both Fugu and Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite expose multimodal input. The better choice depends on benchmark fit, context budget, pricing, and whether your provider route exposes the same capability surface. Use this as a quick comparison signal, then confirm the provider-specific limits before committing to production.
Which is better for reasoning mode, Fugu or Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite?
Fugu has the clearer documented reasoning mode signal in this comparison. If reasoning mode is mission-critical, validate it against the provider endpoint because model-level support and API-level exposure can differ.
Where can I run Fugu and Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite?
Fugu is available on Sakana AI. Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite is available on Google AI Studio, OpenRouter, and Vercel AI Gateway. Provider coverage can affect latency, region availability, compliance posture, and fallback options.
Continue comparing
Last reviewed: 2026-06-22. Data sourced from public model cards and provider documentation.