MiniMax M3 vs Step 3.7 Flash
MiniMax vs Alibaba Cloud Model Studio · StepFun · prices and specs, line by line
MiniMax M3 (MiniMax) vs Step 3.7 Flash (Alibaba Cloud Model Studio · StepFun), side by side: input/output/cache-hit prices, time-based pricing, context window, modalities and a fixed-assumption monthly cost. Green marks the better row.
| Dimension | MiniMax M3 | Step 3.7 Flash |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor / channel | MiniMax | Alibaba Cloud Model Studio · StepFun |
| Context window | 1024K | 256K |
| Modalities | Text, Image understanding, Video understanding | Text, Image understanding, Video understanding |
| Features | Latest flagship, Dual mode | Low-cost, lightweight, By StepFun |
| Input (cache miss) | Input ≤512K ¥2.1 Input >512K ¥4.2 | ¥1.35 |
| Output | Input ≤512K ¥8.4 Input >512K ¥16.8 | ¥8.1 |
| Cache hit | Not published | ¥0.27 |
| Time-based pricing | ||
| Est. monthly cost* | ¥32.76 | ¥25.60 |
| Price source | Alibaba Cloud Model Studio billing | Alibaba Cloud Model Studio — Step 3.7 Flash model page |
| Verified | 2026-10-28 | 2026-10-28 |
* Fixed assumptions for the example monthly cost: 100 calls/day · 2,000 input / 800 output tokens per call · off-peak rates · 30% cache hit rate · 30-day month — the same formula and defaults as the cost calculator. USD models are converted to CNY at the reference rate for comparison (see summary). Costs within display precision are marked tied; neither side is favored.
Comparison summary (fixed usage basis)
- Estimated monthly cost: MiniMax M3 ¥32.76 vs Step 3.7 Flash ¥25.60 on a common CNY basis (list prices ¥32.76 / ¥25.60) — at this fixed usage, Step 3.7 Flash is cheaper by ¥7.16/month.
- Cost ratio: under this basis, MiniMax M3 costs about 1.3× Step 3.7 Flash (Step 3.7 Flash is ~22% cheaper). The ratio holds only at the current list prices, reference rate and fixed usage assumptions; it says nothing about capability, output quality or overall value.
- Input unit price (off-peak / single-price basis): list prices ¥2.1 vs ¥1.35; after conversion Step 3.7 Flash is lower (by ≈ ¥0.75/1M tokens).
- Output unit price (off-peak / single-price basis): list prices ¥8.4 vs ¥8.1; after conversion Step 3.7 Flash is lower (by ≈ ¥0.3/1M tokens).
- Cache-hit price (off-peak basis): MiniMax M3 publishes no cache price (estimated at the standard input price); Step 3.7 Flash ¥0.27.
- Context window: MiniMax M3 1024K vs Step 3.7 Flash 256K — MiniMax M3 is 4.0× Step 3.7 Flash.
- Modalities: identical — Text, Image understanding, Video understanding.
- Price sources: Alibaba Cloud Model Studio billing (verified 2026-10-28), Alibaba Cloud Model Studio — Step 3.7 Flash model page (verified 2026-10-28); unit: official list price per 1M tokens (MiniMax M3 in CNY, Step 3.7 Flash in CNY).
These are computations from published list prices under fixed call volume, token usage, cache assumptions and billing rules. They are not rankings of capability, output quality or overall value, and do not constitute purchase advice.