Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct: The Ultimate Performance & Pricing Comparison

Deep dive into reasoning, benchmarks, and latency insights.

The Final Verdict in the Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct Showdown

After a comprehensive analysis, Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct emerges as the superior choice for users prioritizing raw intelligence and reasoning. However, Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct remains a highly competitive option, especially for scenarios demanding faster response times and cost-efficiency. This detailed Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct comparison will break down every critical metric to help you make the best decision.

Explore best-for scenarios•Let the AI Selector recommend next steps

Model Snapshot

Key decision metrics at a glance.

Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct

Other

Reasoning: 4
Coding: 1
Multimodal: 1
Long Context: 2
Blended Price / 1M tokens: $0.015
P95 Latency: 1000ms
Tokens per second: —

Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct

Other

Reasoning: 3
Coding: 1
Multimodal: 1
Long Context: 2
Blended Price / 1M tokens: $0.000
P95 Latency: 1000ms
Tokens per second: 99.366tokens/sec

Overall Capabilities

The capability radar provides a holistic view of the Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct matchup. This chart illustrates each model's strengths and weaknesses at a glance, forming a cornerstone of our Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct analysis.

This radar chart visually maps the core capabilities (reasoning, coding, math proxy, multimodal, long context) of `Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct` vs `Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct`.

Benchmark Breakdown

For a granular look, this chart directly compares scores across standardized benchmarks. In the critical MMLU Pro test, a key part of the Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct debate, Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct scores 40 against Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct's 30. This data-driven approach is essential for any serious Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct comparison.

This grouped bar chart provides a side-by-side comparison for each benchmark metric.

Speed & Latency

Speed is a crucial factor in the Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct decision for interactive applications. The metrics below highlight the trade-offs you should weigh before shipping to production.

Time to First Token

Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct300ms

Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct300ms

Tokens per Second

Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct66

Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct99.366

Head to the playground to validate these results yourself

The Economics of Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct

Power is only one part of the equation. This Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct pricing analysis gives you a true sense of value.

Pricing Breakdown

Compare input and output pricing at a glance.

Real-World Cost Scenario

To process 1M input tokens and generate 250k output tokens, Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct would cost $0.018, whereas Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct would cost $0.000. This practical calculation is vital for any developer considering the Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct choice.

Review the complete pricing and packaging strategy

Which Model Wins the Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct Battle for You?

Choose Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct if...

You are working in a technical or scientific field requiring the highest accuracy.

Cost is a secondary concern to power in your Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct decision.

You need the most advanced reasoning capabilities available.

Choose Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct if...

You need a highly responsive model for user-facing applications.

Your budget is a primary consideration in the Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct choice.

You are developing at scale where operational costs are critical.

Explore all Best picks Use the AI Selector for a tailored recommendation

Your Questions about the Kimi Linear 48B A3B Instruct vs Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct Comparison

Review the full evaluation methodology · Read the latest analysis posts

Data source: https://artificialanalysis.ai/