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Google: Gemma 3 12B (free) vs Google: Gemma 3n 2B (free)

Head-to-head API cost, context, and performance comparison. Synced at 2:33:00 PM.

Executive Summary

When evaluating Google: Gemma 3 12B (free) against Google: Gemma 3n 2B (free), the pricing structure is a key differentiator. Both models are remarkably similar in API costs.

However, when looking at raw reasoning capabilities, Google: Gemma 3n 2B (free) leads with a statistical ELO score of 1058. For tasks involving complex logic, coding, or instruction-following, developers might prefer Google: Gemma 3n 2B (free), which is especially appealing given its zero-cost tier.

Raw Technical comparison

Metric
Google: Gemma 3 12B (free)
Google: Gemma 3n 2B (free)
Performance (ELO)
1058
1058
Input Cost / 1M
Free
Free
Output Cost / 1M
Free
Free
Context Window
32,768 tokens
8,192 tokens

Verdict

If you are looking for pure performance and capability, Tie is statistically superior. However, if API burn rate is the primary concern, Tie wins out aggressively in pricing.

People Also Ask

Is Google: Gemma 3 12B (free) cheaper than Google: Gemma 3n 2B (free)?

No. Google: Gemma 3n 2B (free) is the more cost-effective model, operating at a lower price point per 1 million tokens.

Which model has the larger context window?

The Google: Gemma 3 12B (free) model has the advantage in memory, offering a massive 32,768 token limit for document ingestion.

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