Provider comparison · Updated 10 Oct 2026
Qwen (Alibaba) vs xAI
80 models vs 7 models
Qwen (Alibaba) is cheaper at the median: $0.19 against $1.25 per 1M input tokens across paid models, about 6.7× less. Its cheapest paid model, Qwen3.7 Flash ($0.03), compares with Grok Build 0.1 ($1.00) at xAI. Qwen (Alibaba) lists 80 models; xAI lists 7 models.
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Cite this page
ModelsAtlas. “Qwen (Alibaba) vs xAI”. Retrieved 10 Oct 2026. https://modelsatlas.com/compare-providers/qwen/xai
At a glance
Standard tier · highlighted = better
Qwen (Alibaba)
xAI
Models listed
80
7
Cheapest paid input / 1M
$0.03
$1.00
Median paid input / output
$0.19 / $0.80
$1.25 / $2.50
Highest input / 1M
$4.00
$2.00
Largest context
1.05M
2M
Models with a batch tier
0 of 80
1 of 7
Open-weight models
40
0
Free models
0
0
Costs for real workloads
Cheapest paid model from each provider that fits the job · monthly
Derived from standard-tier prices, 30 days. “Fits the job” means the context window holds the prompt and reply. Excludes batch and caching.
Cheapest model for each capability
Input / output per 1M
| Capability | Qwen (Alibaba) | xAI |
|---|---|---|
| 1M context | Qwen3.7 Flash $0.03 / $0.13 | Grok 4.20 $1.25 / $2.50 |
| Open weights | Qwen2.5 7B Instruct $0.10 / $0.20 | None listed |
| Extended thinking | Qwen3 235B A22B Instruct 2507 $0.09 / $0.55 | None listed |
Line-up by price tier
Paid models · input per 1M
| Tier | Qwen (Alibaba) | xAI |
|---|---|---|
| Flagship $3+ | Qwen3.8 Max Prime $4.00 | None listed |
| Mid $0.50–$3 | Qwen3.5 397B A17B $0.55 Qwen2.5 Coder 32B Instruct $0.66 Qwen2.5 VL 72B Instruct $0.80 Qwen3.8 2.4T A95B $2.00 | Grok Build 0.1 $1.00 Grok 4.20 $1.25 Grok 4.20 Multi-Agent $1.25 Grok 4.3 $1.25 Grok 4.5 $2.00 +2 more |
| Budget under $0.50 | Qwen3.7 Flash $0.03 Qwen3.5-Flash $0.07 Qwen3 Coder 30B A3B Instruct $0.07 Qwen3 32B $0.08 Qwen3.5-35B-A3B $0.08 +25 more | None listed |
| Open weights any price | Qwen2.5 7B Instruct $0.10 Qwen3.6 35B A3B $0.10 Qwen3 14B $0.12 Qwen3 VL 8B Instruct $0.25 Qwen3.6 27B $0.32 | None listed |
Questions
Is Qwen (Alibaba) or xAI cheaper?
Qwen (Alibaba) at the median: $0.19 against $1.25 for xAI per 1M input tokens. Median is across each provider's paid standard-tier models, so a provider with many small models can look cheaper than its flagship is.
Which provider has more models?
Qwen (Alibaba) lists more: Qwen (Alibaba) 80, xAI 7. Counts are models with a page in our catalogue.
Do both offer batch pricing?
Qwen (Alibaba): no batch tier listed. xAI: 1 model list a batch tier. Where a model lists both, batch is a median 80% for xAI.
Which has the larger context window?
xAI has the larger: Qwen3.8 2.4T A95B (1.05M tokens) at Qwen (Alibaba), Grok 4.20 (2M) at xAI.
Does either provider offer open-weight models?
Qwen (Alibaba): 40 open-weight models. xAI: none marked open-weight.
Does either have free models?
Qwen (Alibaba): none listed at no per-token charge. xAI: none.
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Keep going in your AI
Opens with this page as the source. We add nothing else to the prompt.
- Is Qwen (Alibaba) or xAI cheaper?
- Which provider has more models?
- Do both offer batch pricing?