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Model comparison
Claude Sonnet 5 vs Grok 4.6
Compare Claude Sonnet 5 and Grok 4.6 using the same provider-sourced text & reasoning rubric. No mystery score and no invented benchmark ranking.
Facts checked September 14, 2026
Estimate your cost
Set your usage. Your estimate updates as you type.
Example: 6,000 input tokens for 10 pages, plus a 500-token summary. Page lengths vary; adjust the numbers below.
One run sends your input to the model once and receives an answer. Tokens are pieces of text: input is what you send, output is the answer you receive.
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How this estimate works
Estimates exclude taxes, tools, cache storage/writes, free allowances and custom discounts. Image estimates cover output only, not prompt or reference-image charges. Quality modes differ by model. Unlisted settings are not treated as free.
| Model | Access | Estimated total (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Claude Sonnet 5Anthropic | Anthropic | $0.017 |
| Grok 4.6SpaceXAI | SpaceXAI | No reviewed rate |
Quick take
Claude Sonnet 5
A lower-priced Claude option for everyday coding, writing and tool-assisted work.
Best for
- Coding assistants
- Everyday analysis
Watch out for
Migration from older Sonnet versions needs testing: thinking settings and tokenization have changed.
Grok 4.6
SpaceXAI's frontier text-and-image model for coding, agentic tasks, and knowledge work, with direct web, X, and code tools.
Best for
- Coding agents with live web or X context
- Tool-heavy knowledge workflows
- Teams already building on OpenAI-compatible APIs
Watch out for
Published regions are narrower than a generic 'global' label, and the base token rate doubles for long-context requests.
Compare the published facts
Claude Sonnet 5 vs Grok 4.6
Values use each provider's own published units and limits. A blank means the provider did not publish a directly comparable value in the sources reviewed.
| Text & reasoning | Claude Sonnet 5 | Grok 4.6 |
|---|---|---|
| Context windowMaximum combined prompt and working context documented by the provider. | 1M tokens | 500K tokens |
| Maximum outputProvider-published response limit, where available. | 128K tokens | No published text cap |
| Knowledge cutoffLatest reliable knowledge date explicitly published by the model provider. Search and connected tools can retrieve newer information but do not change the model's built-in cutoff. | January 2026 | January 2026 |
| Input priceCurrent standard list price per million input tokens unless noted. | $2 / 1M | $2 / 1M |
| Output priceCurrent standard list price per million output tokens unless noted. | $10 / 1M | $6 / 1M |
| InputsMedia types accepted by the listed model endpoint. | Text, image | Text, image |
| Tools & agentsSelected native tools and agent-building capabilities, not an exhaustive list. | Tool use, agents, vision, coding workflows | Functions, web/X search, code execution |
How to choose
Compare the job, not the hype.
Start with the job you need to complete, then validate cost, access, and policy details on your exact provider route.
Claude Sonnet 5
Anthropic does not train on API data without express permission. Retention depends on the API feature, account agreement and cloud provider.
Provider and API links
Grok 4.6
SpaceXAI says API inputs and outputs are never used for training without explicit permission. Requests are encrypted and retained for 30 days by default; team-level zero data retention is available with feature tradeoffs.
Provider and API links
Frequently asked questions
Claude Sonnet 5 vs Grok 4.6 FAQ
What is the main difference between Claude Sonnet 5 and Grok 4.6?
Claude Sonnet 5: A lower-priced Claude option for everyday coding, writing and tool-assisted work. Grok 4.6: SpaceXAI's frontier text-and-image model for coding, agentic tasks, and knowledge work, with direct web, X, and code tools.
Should I choose Claude Sonnet 5 or Grok 4.6?
Consider Claude Sonnet 5 when your priority is Coding assistants. Consider Grok 4.6 when your priority is Coding agents with live web or X context. Test both with your own data and provider route before committing.
Is this Claude Sonnet 5 vs Grok 4.6 comparison based on Cody benchmarks?
No. This comparison aligns provider-published facts for the Text & reasoning category. It does not claim a universal winner or combine incompatible third-party benchmark scores.