MiniMax M3 vs Kimi K3

MiniMax M3 from MiniMax and Kimi K3 from Moonshot AI are shown side by side so you can compare pricing, model IDs, context and output limits, modalities, tool use, release details, and benchmark results where data is available.

Overall Recommendation

For a MiniMax AI vs Moonshot AI decision, choose Kimi K3 for frontier long-horizon coding and agentic knowledge work; Moonshot publishes a 2.8T/104B-active MoE, native vision, and 1M context. Choose MiniMax M3 when your Kimi API vs MiniMax API evaluation depends on native image and video input with selectable thinking modes. MiniMax M3 is not yet in TokenHub’s production pricing catalog, so it is not a price or endpoint comparison yet.

Comparison Highlights

Best For
Multimodal codingcowork with controllable reasoning latency
Frontier long-horizon codingresearchknowledge-work agents
How To Read ItUse-case synthesis from model capabilities and positioning.
Workload Fit
Image/video input3 thinking modes1M context
2.8T MoENative vision1M context
How To Read ItThe workloads each model is most directly shaped for.
Input
$0.6/MEdge
$2.8571/M
How To Read ItLower is better when prompts or retrieval payloads are large.
Output
$2.4/MEdge
$14.2857/M
How To Read ItLower is better for reasoning-heavy or long-generation traffic.
Context length
512K
1MEdge
How To Read ItHigher is better for repositories, retrieval packs, and transcripts.
Input modalities
Image, Text, VideoEdge
Text, Image
How To Read ItBroader input support reduces the need for separate vision or video models.

Model Selection Guide

MiniMax M3MiniMax

Choose MiniMax M3 When

  • MiniMax describes M3 as a native multimodal 428B/23B-active model for coding, cowork, and long-horizon agents
  • It supports enabled, adaptive, and disabled thinking modes for explicit quality-versus-latency control
  • MiniMax’s official repository confirms a 1M-token context window and native image and video input; TokenHub price and endpoints should be checked when the catalog entry is available
Kimi K3Moonshot AI

Choose Kimi K3 When

  • Moonshot describes Kimi K3 as a 2.8T-parameter MoE with 104B active parameters and a 1M-token context window
  • The official model is built for long engineering sessions, large repositories, terminal tools, and deep research
  • TokenHub currently publishes Kimi K3 price and context-limit data, so it is the only side with a complete TokenHub cost view on this page

Basic Information

MiniMax M3MiniMax
Kimi K3Moonshot AI

Name

MiniMax M3MiniMax M3

Model id

MiniMax M3MiniMax-M3

Data source

MiniMax M3TokenHub production catalog

Intro

MiniMax M3MiniMax M3 is a frontier multimodal MiniMax model with a 1M-token context window, built for long-horizon agent workflows, coding, and tool use. It uses MiniMax Sparse Attention to reduce the cost of large-context workloads compared with earlier generations. Use the MiniMax API through TokenHub to review the current MiniMax M3 price, model ID, supported endpoints, context limits, and benchmark results before deploying it for production software tasks or collaborative agent workflows.

Author

MiniMax M3MiniMax

Released date

MiniMax M32026-06-01

Context length

MiniMax M3512K

Max output tokens

MiniMax M3128K

Name

Kimi K3Kimi K3

Model id

Kimi K3kimi-k3

Data source

Kimi K3TokenHub production catalog

Intro

Kimi K3Kimi K3 is Moonshot AI’s flagship model for long-context coding, complex reasoning, and knowledge work. With native vision and a 1M-token context window, the Kimi K3 API is designed for repository analysis, document research, multi-step agent workflows, and production AI applications. Use TokenHub to review Kimi K3 price, API access, model capabilities, and benchmark results before choosing it for your workload.

Author

Kimi K3Moonshot AI

Released date

Kimi K32026-07-16

Context length

Kimi K31M

Max output tokens

Kimi K3131.1K

Pricing

MiniMax M3MiniMax
Kimi K3Moonshot AI

Input

MiniMax M3$0.6/M

Output

MiniMax M3$2.4/M

Cached input

MiniMax M3$0.12/M

Input

Kimi K3$2.8571/M

Output

Kimi K3$14.2857/M

Cached input

Kimi K3$0.2857/M

Capabilities

MiniMax M3MiniMax
Kimi K3Moonshot AI

Reasoning

MiniMax M3

Knowledge

MiniMax M3n/a

Attachment

MiniMax M3

Input modalities

MiniMax M3Image, Text, Video

Output modalities

MiniMax M3Text

Temperature

MiniMax M3

Tool use

MiniMax M3

Reasoning

Kimi K3

Knowledge

Kimi K3n/a

Attachment

Kimi K3

Input modalities

Kimi K3Text, Image

Output modalities

Kimi K3Text

Temperature

Kimi K3

Tool use

Kimi K3

Benchmark

MiniMax M3MiniMax
Kimi K3Moonshot AI

Intelligence

44.4

Coding

43.4

Intelligence

wins57.1

Coding

wins76.2

Knowledge & Reasoning

GPQA

92.9%

HLE

37.1%

GPQA

wins93.5%

HLE

wins44.3%

Coding

SciCode

45.4%

Terminal-Bench Hard

wins42.4%

SciCode

wins58.7%

Terminal-Bench Hard

n/a

Instruction Following & Agent Tasks

IFBench

wins82.9%

AA-LCR

74%

Tau2

wins88.9%

IFBench

n/a

AA-LCR

wins74.7%

Tau2

n/a

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FAQ

Which model is better, MiniMax M3 or Kimi K3?

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Neither model is universally better. Start with the Model Selection Guide above to match each model to your task, then use pricing, context length, maximum output, and capability rows to confirm the operational fit.

Is Kimi K3 cheaper than MiniMax M3?

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Use the pricing rows above to compare input, output, and cached input prices for MiniMax M3 and Kimi K3.

Which model supports a longer context length?

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MiniMax M3 lists 512K context length, while Kimi K3 lists 1M.

Can I access both models through TokenHub?

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If both models are available in the TokenHub catalog, you can route requests to MiniMax M3 and Kimi K3 through the TokenHub API.

Still looking for the right model?

Your options don’t end with these two. Explore the catalog and compare capabilities, context, and pricing to find a better fit for your workload.

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