Kimi K2.6 vs Step 3.7 Flash
Kimi K2.6 (2026) and Step 3.7 Flash (2026) compare a coding-specialized model against a standalone API model. Kimi K2.6 ships a 262k-token context window, while Step 3.7 Flash ships a 256k-token context window. On SWE-bench Pro, Kimi K2.6 leads by 2.3 pts. On pricing, Step 3.7 Flash costs $0.20/1M input tokens versus $0.73/1M 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: Kimi K2.6 is coding-specialized model, while Step 3.7 Flash is standalone API model. Choose based on workflow fit before reading any benchmark or price row as decisive.
Decision scorecard
Local evidence first| Signal | Kimi K2.6 | Step 3.7 Flash |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | Coding-specialized model | Standalone API model |
| Best for | custom coding agents, code generation, and tool loops | reasoning-heavy apps, multimodal apps, and tool-calling agents |
| Decision fit | Coding, RAG, and Agents | Coding, RAG, and Agents |
| Context window | 262k | 256k |
| Cheapest output | $3.49/1M tokens | $1.15/1M tokens |
| Provider routes | 9 tracked | 3 tracked |
| Shared benchmarks | SWE-bench Pro leader | 3 shared |
Decision tradeoffs
- Kimi K2.6 holds a shared-benchmark lead on SWE-bench Pro, ahead by 2.3 points.
- Kimi K2.6 has the larger context window for long prompts, retrieval packs, or transcript analysis.
- Kimi K2.6 has broader tracked provider coverage for fallback and route flexibility.
- Local decision data tags Kimi K2.6 for Coding, RAG, and Agents.
- Step 3.7 Flash holds a shared-benchmark lead on Humanity's Last Exam, ahead by 12.5 points.
- Step 3.7 Flash has the lower cheapest tracked output price at $1.15/1M tokens.
- Local decision data tags Step 3.7 Flash 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.
Kimi K2.6
$1,457
Cheapest tracked route/tier: OpenRouter
Step 3.7 Flash
$448
Cheapest tracked route/tier: StepFun
Estimated monthly gap: $1,009. Batch, cache, alternate speed tiers, and negotiated pricing are excluded from this local estimate.
Switch friction
- Provider overlap exists on OpenRouter and NVIDIA NIM; start route-level A/B tests there.
- Step 3.7 Flash is $2.34/1M tokens lower on cheapest tracked output pricing before cache, batch, or negotiated discounts.
- Provider overlap exists on NVIDIA NIM and OpenRouter; start route-level A/B tests there.
- Kimi K2.6 is $2.34/1M tokens higher on cheapest tracked output pricing, so quality gains need to justify the spend.
Specs
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2026-04-20 | 2026-05-29 |
| Context window | 262k | 256k |
| Parameters | 1T | 198B (11B active) |
| Architecture | Mixture of Experts | Mixture of Experts |
| License | MITOSI-approved | Proprietary |
| Openness | Open source | Proprietary |
| Weights | Available·Moonshot Modified MIT License | Not released |
| Code | Available·Moonshot Modified MIT License | Unknown |
| Commercial use | Commercial use: permitted | Commercial use: conditional |
| Knowledge cutoff | 2025-04 | - |
Pricing and availability
| Pricing attribute | Kimi K2.6 | Step 3.7 Flash |
|---|---|---|
| Input price | $0.73/1M tokens | $0.20/1M tokens |
| Output price | $3.49/1M tokens | $1.15/1M tokens |
| Providers |
Capabilities
| Capability | Kimi K2.6 | Step 3.7 Flash |
|---|---|---|
| Vision | Yes | Yes |
| Multimodal | Yes | Yes |
| Reasoning | Yes | Yes |
| JSON / Tool use | Yes | Yes |
| Structured outputs | Yes | Yes |
| Code execution | No | No |
| IDE integration | No | No |
| Computer use | No | No |
| Parallel agents | No | No |
Benchmarks
| Benchmark | Kimi K2.6 | Step 3.7 Flash |
|---|---|---|
| SWE-bench Pro | 58.6 | 56.3 |
| Humanity's Last Exam | 34.7 | 47.2 |
| BrowseComp | 83.2 | 75.8 |
Continue comparing
Popular comparisons for Kimi K2.6
Popular comparisons for Step 3.7 Flash
Last reviewed: 2026-06-30. Data sourced from public model cards and provider documentation.