API cost decision in 10 seconds

Qwen3.5 397B A17B vs NewLaguna XS.2 (free)

Pick Laguna XS.2 (free) for lower cost; pick Qwen3.5 397B A17B only if the larger context window matters more.

Page updated:  Data confirmed:  Prices normalized to USD per 1M tokens Sample workload: 1M input + 500K output

Budget verdict

Pick Laguna XS.2 (free) for lower cost; pick Qwen3.5 397B A17B only if the larger context window matters more.

On the standard 1M input plus 500K output workload, Laguna XS.2 (free) is estimated at $0 vs $1.56 for Qwen3.5 397B A17B, saving $1.56 (100% lower).

Cost-first pickLaguna XS.2 (free)
Context-first pickQwen3.5 397B A17B
Sample savings$1.56100%
10x traffic gap$15.6

Qwen3.5 397B A17B has more context, but Laguna XS.2 (free) saves $1.56 on the standard workload. At 10x that traffic, the same price gap is about $15.6. Use the calculator below to replace the sample workload with your own token volume.

Cost sensitivity

Workload Sensitivity

Same prices, different token mixes.

Laguna XS.2 (free) stays cheaper across input-heavy, balanced, and output-heavy sample workloads.

Workload shapeToken mixBetter pickQwen3.5 397B A17BLaguna XS.2 (free)
Input-heavy / RAG5M input + 500K outputLaguna XS.2 (free)$3.12$0
Balanced workload1M input + 1M outputLaguna XS.2 (free)$2.73$0
Output-heavy chatbot1M input + 5M outputLaguna XS.2 (free)$12.09$0
Cheaper input Laguna XS.2 (free) $0.39 vs $0 / 1M

Laguna XS.2 (free) is free for input tokens while Qwen3.5 397B A17B costs $0.39 per 1M tokens.

Cheaper output Laguna XS.2 (free) $2.34 vs $0 / 1M

Laguna XS.2 (free) is free for output tokens while Qwen3.5 397B A17B costs $2.34 per 1M tokens.

Larger context Qwen3.5 397B A17B 262.14K vs 131.07K

Qwen3.5 397B A17B has 131.07K more context (2x larger).

Sample workload Laguna XS.2 (free) $1.56 vs $0

Laguna XS.2 (free) is free for the standard workload while the other model is estimated at $1.56.

Estimate your workload cost

Your Workload Cost

Prices are normalized to USD per 1M tokens.
Qwen3.5 397B A17B Calculating… Estimated API cost
Laguna XS.2 (free) Calculating… Estimated API cost
Cheaper for this workload Calculating… Difference: calculating…

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

Verdict

Laguna XS.2 (free) has the lower input price; Laguna XS.2 (free) has the lower output price; Qwen3.5 397B A17B offers the larger context window. For the 1M input plus 500K output sample, Laguna XS.2 (free) is cheaper for the standard workload.

For a 1M input token plus 500K output token workload, the estimated API cost is $1.56 for Qwen3.5 397B A17B and $0 for Laguna XS.2 (free).

Best Fit

Choose Qwen3.5 397B A17B when you care most about larger context window.

Choose Laguna XS.2 (free) when you care most about lower input-token price, and lower output-token price.

Decision Notes
  • On the standard 1M input plus 500K output workload, Laguna XS.2 (free) is estimated at $0 vs $1.56 for Qwen3.5 397B A17B, saving $1.56 (100% lower).
  • Laguna XS.2 (free) is free for the standard workload while the other model is estimated at $1.56.
  • Laguna XS.2 (free) is free for input tokens while Qwen3.5 397B A17B costs $0.39 per 1M tokens.
  • Laguna XS.2 (free) is free for output tokens while Qwen3.5 397B A17B costs $2.34 per 1M tokens.
  • Qwen3.5 397B A17B has 131.07K more context (2x larger).
Head-to-Head Specs
FeatureQwen3.5 397B A17B
(Qwen)
NewLaguna XS.2 (free)
(Poolside)
Input Price
prompt tokens per 1M
$0.39$0
Completion Price
per 1M tokens
$2.34$0
Sample Workload Cost
1M input + 500K output
$1.56$0
Context Window262.14K131.07K
Release Date
Popularity#53#56

Use-Case Decision Matrix

Use caseBetter pickWhy
Budget-constrained productionLaguna XS.2 (free)On the standard 1M input plus 500K output workload, Laguna XS.2 (free) is estimated at $0 vs $1.56 for Qwen3.5 397B A17B, saving $1.56 (100% lower).
High-volume input processingLaguna XS.2 (free)Lower prompt-token price matters most when prompts, retrieved passages, or documents dominate the bill.
Long responses and chatbotsLaguna XS.2 (free)Lower output-token price matters most when assistants generate many completion tokens.
RAG or long-document workQwen3.5 397B A17BA larger context window leaves more room for retrieved passages, conversation history, or source files.

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Provider catalogs

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Qwen catalog

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Poolside catalog

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Qwen3.5 397B A17B

The Qwen3.5 series 397B-A17B native vision-language model is built on a hybrid architecture that integrates a linear attention mechanism with a sparse mixture-of-experts model, achieving higher inference efficiency. It delivers...

Laguna XS.2 (free)

Laguna XS.2 is the second-generation model in the XS size class from [Poolside](https://poolside.ai), their efficient coding agent series. It combines tool calling and reasoning capabilities with a compact footprint, offering...