LLM Reference

Grok 4 vs Kimi K2.5

Grok 4 (2025) and Kimi K2.5 (2026) compare a standalone API model against a coding-specialized model. Grok 4 ships a 256k-token context window, while Kimi K2.5 ships a 256k-token context window. On MMLU PRO, Kimi K2.5 leads by 0.1 pts. On pricing, Kimi K2.5 costs $0.44/1M input tokens versus $1.25/1M 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 4 is standalone API model, while Kimi K2.5 is coding-specialized model. Choose based on workflow fit before reading any benchmark or price row as decisive.

Decision scorecard

Local evidence first
SignalGrok 4Kimi K2.5
Product typeStandalone API modelCoding-specialized model
Best forreasoning-heavy apps, multimodal apps, and tool-calling agentscustom coding agents, code generation, and tool loops
Decision fitCoding, RAG, and AgentsCoding, RAG, and Agents
Context window256k256k
Cheapest output$2.50/1M tokens$2/1M tokens
Provider routes4 tracked10 tracked
Shared benchmarks7 sharedMMLU PRO leader

Decision tradeoffs

Choose Grok 4 when...
  • Grok 4 holds a shared-benchmark lead on τ-bench, ahead by 4.7 points.
  • Grok 4 uniquely exposes Reasoning and Code execution in local model data.
  • Local decision data tags Grok 4 for Coding, RAG, and Agents.
Choose Kimi K2.5 when...
  • Kimi K2.5 holds a shared-benchmark lead on MMLU PRO, ahead by 0.1 points.
  • Kimi K2.5 has the lower cheapest tracked output price at $2/1M tokens.
  • Kimi K2.5 has broader tracked provider coverage for fallback and route flexibility.
  • Local decision data tags Kimi K2.5 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.

Lower estimate Kimi K2.5

Grok 4

$1,625

Cheapest tracked route/tier: xAI Console

Kimi K2.5

$852

Cheapest tracked route/tier: OpenRouter

Estimated monthly gap: $773. Batch, cache, alternate speed tiers, and negotiated pricing are excluded from this local estimate.

Switch friction

Grok 4 -> Kimi K2.5
  • Provider overlap exists on OpenRouter, Replicate API, and Microsoft Foundry; start route-level A/B tests there.
  • Kimi K2.5 is $0.50/1M tokens lower on cheapest tracked output pricing before cache, batch, or negotiated discounts.
  • Check replacement coverage for Reasoning and Code execution before moving production traffic.
Kimi K2.5 -> Grok 4
  • Provider overlap exists on Microsoft Foundry, OpenRouter, and Replicate API; start route-level A/B tests there.
  • Grok 4 is $0.50/1M tokens higher on cheapest tracked output pricing, so quality gains need to justify the spend.
  • Grok 4 adds Reasoning and Code execution in local capability data.

Specs

Specification
Released2025-07-092026-03-15
Context window256k256k
Parameters—1T (MoE, 384 experts)
ArchitectureDecoder OnlyMixture of Experts
LicenseProprietaryProprietary
OpennessProprietaryProprietary
WeightsNot releasedNot released
CodeUnknownUnknown
Commercial useCommercial use: conditionalCommercial use: conditional
Knowledge cutoff--

Pricing and availability

Pricing attributeGrok 4Kimi K2.5
Input price$1.25/1M tokens$0.44/1M tokens
Output price$2.50/1M tokens$2/1M tokens
Providers
Microsoft FoundryOpenRouterReplicate APIxAI Console
Cloudflare Workers AIFireworks AIOpenRouterTogether AINVIDIA NIMAWS Bedrock

Capabilities

CapabilityGrok 4Kimi K2.5
VisionYesYes
MultimodalYesYes
ReasoningYesNo
JSON / Tool useYesYes
Structured outputsYesYes
Code executionYesNo
IDE integrationNoNo
Computer useNoNo
Parallel agentsNoNo

Benchmarks

BenchmarkGrok 4Kimi K2.5
MMLU PRO87.087.1
SWE-bench Verified76.776.8
Google-Proof Q&A87.587.9
AIME 202591.796.1
LiveCodeBench79.085.0
Humanity's Last Exam25.450.2
τ-bench78.974.2

Continue comparing

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Last reviewed: 2026-07-10. Data sourced from public model cards and provider documentation.