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Google: Gemma 4 31B (free) vs StepFun: Step 3.5 Flash (free)

Head-to-head API cost, context, and performance comparison. Synced at 1:03:47 AM.

Executive Summary

When evaluating Google: Gemma 4 31B (free) against StepFun: Step 3.5 Flash (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 4 31B (free) leads with a statistical ELO score of 1439. For tasks involving complex logic, coding, or instruction-following, developers might prefer Google: Gemma 4 31B (free), which is especially appealing given its zero-cost tier.

Raw Technical comparison

Metric
Google: Gemma 4 31B (free)
StepFun: Step 3.5 Flash (free)
Performance (ELO)
1439
1420
Input Cost / 1M
Free
Free
Output Cost / 1M
Free
Free
Context Window
262,144 tokens
256,000 tokens

Verdict

If you are looking for pure performance and capability, Google: Gemma 4 31B (free) is statistically superior. However, if API burn rate is the primary concern, Tie wins out aggressively in pricing.

People Also Ask

Is Google: Gemma 4 31B (free) cheaper than StepFun: Step 3.5 Flash (free)?

No. StepFun: Step 3.5 Flash (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 4 31B (free) model has the advantage in memory, offering a massive 262,144 token limit for document ingestion.

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