Claude Opus 4.8 vs Gemini 3.1 Pro
Two 1M-context flagship models with very different price tags. Gemini 3.1 Pro is 52% cheaper on output — but is it as capable?
Pricing data verified: Jun 3, 2026
| Specification | Claude Opus 4.8 (Anthropic) | Gemini 3.1 Pro (Google) |
|---|---|---|
| Input Price (per 1M tokens) | $5.00 | $2.00 |
| Output Price (per 1M tokens) | $25.00 | $12.00 |
| Context Window | 1M tokens | 1M tokens |
| Tier | Premium | Mid |
| Provider | Anthropic | |
| Multimodal | Text + images | Text + images + audio + video |
Calculate Your Exact Costs
Two 1M-context models — see the real cost difference for your usage.
Other 1M-Context Models
Which Model for Which Use Case?
Research & Analysis
Complex multi-step reasoning, literature review, data synthesis. Claude Opus 4.8 is known for nuanced analysis, but Gemini's 52% output savings adds up at scale.
Long Document Processing
Both have 1M context windows. For document-heavy workloads with large outputs, Gemini 3.1 Pro's lower pricing across input AND output gives it a clear edge.
Complex Code Generation
Architectural decisions, multi-file refactoring, complex debugging. Claude Opus 4.8 is widely regarded as the stronger coder. The premium is worth it for code quality.
Multimodal Tasks
Gemini 3.1 Pro handles text, images, audio, and video natively. Claude Opus 4.8 supports text and images. For multimodal pipelines, Gemini offers more at a lower cost.
Modeling premium workloads?
APIpulse Pro lets you compare all 34 models including GPT-5.5 Pro ($30/$180), save scenarios, and export cost reports for your team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gemini 3.1 Pro cheaper than Claude Opus 4.8?
Yes, significantly. Gemini 3.1 Pro costs $2/M input and $12/M output vs Claude Opus 4.8 at $5/M input and $25/M output. That's 60% cheaper on input and 52% cheaper on output. For output-heavy workloads, the savings are substantial.
Which has a larger context window?
Both Claude Opus 4.8 and Gemini 3.1 Pro offer 1M token context windows. They're equally capable for processing very long documents, codebases, or extended conversations.
Is Claude Opus 4.8 worth the premium over Gemini 3.1 Pro?
It depends on your use case. Claude Opus 4.8 excels at nuanced reasoning, complex coding tasks, and analysis where output quality directly impacts outcomes. Gemini 3.1 Pro offers better value for most production workloads, especially those with high output volume or multimodal requirements.
Can I mix both models in my application?
Absolutely. A common pattern is to use Gemini 3.1 Pro for high-volume, routine tasks (summarization, extraction, classification) and Claude Opus 4.8 for complex reasoning and code generation. This hybrid approach can cut costs by 40-60% while maintaining quality where it matters most.