Gemma 4 26B A4B is $0.54 cheaper per 1M input tokens (90% lower; 10x difference).
API cost decision in 10 seconds
Gemma 4 26B A4B vs Kimi K2 Thinking
Pick Gemma 4 26B A4B when budget is the priority.
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Data confirmed:
Prices normalized to USD per 1M tokens
Sample workload: 1M input + 500K output
Budget verdict
Pick Gemma 4 26B A4B when budget is the priority.
On the standard 1M input plus 500K output workload, Gemma 4 26B A4B is estimated at $0.23 vs $1.85 for Kimi K2 Thinking, saving $1.62 (87.8% lower).
Cost-first pickGemma 4 26B A4B
Context-first pickBoth models
Sample savings$1.6287.8%
10x traffic gap$16.25
The reported context window is tied, so cost and provider fit carry more weight. At 10x that traffic, the same price gap is about $16.25. Use the calculator below to replace the sample workload with your own token volume.
Cost sensitivity
Workload Sensitivity
Gemma 4 26B A4B stays cheaper across input-heavy, balanced, and output-heavy sample workloads.
| Workload shape | Token mix | Better pick | Gemma 4 26B A4B | Kimi K2 Thinking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Input-heavy / RAG | 5M input + 500K output | Gemma 4 26B A4B | $0.46 | $4.25 |
| Balanced workload | 1M input + 1M output | Gemma 4 26B A4B | $0.39 | $3.1 |
| Output-heavy chatbot | 1M input + 5M output | Gemma 4 26B A4B | $1.71 | $13.1 |
Gemma 4 26B A4B is $2.17 cheaper per 1M output tokens (86.8% lower; 7.58x difference).
Both models report the same context window at 262.14K tokens.
Gemma 4 26B A4B is $1.62 cheaper on the standard workload (87.8% lower).
Estimate your workload cost
Your Workload Cost
This estimate uses normalized public API pricing per 1M tokens. It is a planning aid, not a billing quote. Verify provider pricing, limits, and terms before production use.
Quick Decision
Gemma 4 26B A4B has the lower input price; Gemma 4 26B A4B has the lower output price; both models report the same context window. For the 1M input plus 500K output sample, Gemma 4 26B A4B is cheaper for the standard workload.
For a 1M input token plus 500K output token workload, the estimated API cost is $0.23 for Gemma 4 26B A4B and $1.85 for Kimi K2 Thinking.
Choose Gemma 4 26B A4B when you care most about lower input-token price, and lower output-token price.
Choose Kimi K2 Thinking when its provider, model quality, latency, or availability is more important than the numeric price/context winner.
- On the standard 1M input plus 500K output workload, Gemma 4 26B A4B is estimated at $0.23 vs $1.85 for Kimi K2 Thinking, saving $1.62 (87.8% lower).
- Gemma 4 26B A4B is $1.62 cheaper on the standard workload (87.8% lower).
- Gemma 4 26B A4B is $0.54 cheaper per 1M input tokens (90% lower; 10x difference).
- Gemma 4 26B A4B is $2.17 cheaper per 1M output tokens (86.8% lower; 7.58x difference).
- Both models report the same context window at 262.14K tokens.
| Feature | Gemma 4 26B A4B (Google) | Kimi K2 Thinking (MoonshotAI) |
|---|---|---|
| Input Price prompt tokens per 1M | $0.06 | $0.6 |
| Completion Price per 1M tokens | $0.33 | $2.5 |
| Sample Workload Cost 1M input + 500K output | $0.23 | $1.85 |
| Context Window | 262.14K | 262.14K |
| Release Date |
Use-Case Decision Matrix
| Use case | Better pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget-constrained production | Gemma 4 26B A4B | On the standard 1M input plus 500K output workload, Gemma 4 26B A4B is estimated at $0.23 vs $1.85 for Kimi K2 Thinking, saving $1.62 (87.8% lower). |
| High-volume input processing | Gemma 4 26B A4B | Lower prompt-token price matters most when prompts, retrieved passages, or documents dominate the bill. |
| Long responses and chatbots | Gemma 4 26B A4B | Lower output-token price matters most when assistants generate many completion tokens. |
| RAG or long-document work | Tie | A larger context window leaves more room for retrieved passages, conversation history, or source files. |
Related Alternatives
- Gemma 4 26B A4B (free) can replace Gemma 4 26B A4B when lower sample workload cost matters most: $0.
- Gemma 4 31B (free) can replace Gemma 4 26B A4B when lower sample workload cost matters most: $0.
- Lyria 3 Pro Preview can replace Gemma 4 26B A4B when lower sample workload cost matters most: $0.
- Lyria 3 Clip Preview can replace Gemma 4 26B A4B when lower sample workload cost matters most: $0.
- Llama 4 Scout offers 10M context with $0.23 sample workload cost.
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- DeepSeek V4 Pro offers 1.05M context with $0.87 sample workload cost.
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- Hy3 preview · Tencent · #2
- Claude Opus 4.7 · Anthropic · #3
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Cheaper alternatives
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Open provider hubsGoogle catalog
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