Grok-3 vs Qwen3.6-27B
Grok-3 (2025) and Qwen3.6-27B (2026) compare a standalone API model against a coding-specialized model. Grok-3 ships a 131k-token context window, while Qwen3.6-27B ships a 262k-token context window. On MMLU PRO, Qwen3.6-27B leads by 6.3 pts. On pricing, Qwen3.6-27B costs $0.32/1M input tokens versus $0.80/1M for the alternative. This page treats the result as workflow and deployment fit, not a universal model winner.
Treat this as a product-type comparison: Grok-3 is standalone API model, while Qwen3.6-27B is coding-specialized model. Choose based on workflow fit before reading any benchmark or price row as decisive.
Decision scorecard
Local evidence first| Signal | Grok-3 | Qwen3.6-27B |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | Standalone API model | Coding-specialized model |
| Best for | reasoning-heavy apps, multimodal apps, and tool-calling agents | custom coding agents, code generation, and tool loops |
| Decision fit | Coding, RAG, and Agents | Coding, RAG, and Agents |
| Context window | 131k | 262k |
| Cheapest output | $2.40/1M tokens | $3.20/1M tokens |
| Provider routes | 4 tracked | 4 tracked |
| Shared benchmarks | 3 shared | MMLU PRO leader |
Decision tradeoffs
- Grok-3 has the lower cheapest tracked output price at $2.40/1M tokens.
- Grok-3 uniquely exposes Structured outputs in local model data.
- Local decision data tags Grok-3 for Coding, RAG, and Agents.
- Qwen3.6-27B holds a shared-benchmark lead on MMLU PRO, ahead by 6.3 points.
- Qwen3.6-27B has the larger context window for long prompts, retrieval packs, or transcript analysis.
- Local decision data tags Qwen3.6-27B 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.
Grok-3
$1,240
Cheapest tracked route/tier: Chutes AI
Qwen3.6-27B
$1,056
Cheapest tracked route/tier: OpenRouter
Estimated monthly gap: $184. Batch, cache, alternate speed tiers, and negotiated pricing are excluded from this local estimate.
Switch friction
- Provider overlap exists on OpenRouter; start route-level A/B tests there.
- Qwen3.6-27B is $0.80/1M tokens higher on cheapest tracked output pricing, so quality gains need to justify the spend.
- Check replacement coverage for Structured outputs before moving production traffic.
- Provider overlap exists on OpenRouter; start route-level A/B tests there.
- Grok-3 is $0.80/1M tokens lower on cheapest tracked output pricing before cache, batch, or negotiated discounts.
- Grok-3 adds Structured outputs in local capability data.
Specs
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2025-02-17 | 2026-04-27 |
| Context window | 131k | 262k |
| Parameters | — | 27B |
| Architecture | - | Decoder Only |
| License | Proprietary | Apache 2.0OSI-approved |
| Openness | Proprietary | Open source |
| Weights | Not released | Available |
| Code | Unknown | Unknown |
| Commercial use | Commercial use: conditional | Commercial use: permitted |
| Knowledge cutoff | 2025-04 | - |
Pricing and availability
| Pricing attribute | Grok-3 | Qwen3.6-27B |
|---|---|---|
| Input price | $0.80/1M tokens | $0.32/1M tokens |
| Output price | $2.40/1M tokens | $3.20/1M tokens |
| Providers |
Capabilities
| Capability | Grok-3 | Qwen3.6-27B |
|---|---|---|
| Vision | Yes | Yes |
| Multimodal | Yes | Yes |
| Reasoning | Yes | Yes |
| JSON / Tool use | Yes | Yes |
| Structured outputs | Yes | No |
| Code execution | No | No |
| IDE integration | No | No |
| Computer use | No | No |
| Parallel agents | No | No |
Benchmarks
| Benchmark | Grok-3 | Qwen3.6-27B |
|---|---|---|
| MMLU PRO | 79.9 | 86.2 |
| Google-Proof Q&A | 84.6 | 87.8 |
| LiveCodeBench | 79.4 | 83.9 |
Continue comparing
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Last reviewed: 2026-07-10. Data sourced from public model cards and provider documentation.