Claude Sonnet 5 alternatives
Best Claude Sonnet 5 alternatives
10 models that can stand in for Claude Sonnet 5, ranked by benchmark score, with what each one does better.
Current Model
Claude Sonnet 5
- Input / 1M
- $2
- Output / 1M
- $10
- Context
- 1M
- Intelligence
- 38.2
Quick picks
The best alternative depends on what you need
Why people switch away from Claude Sonnet 5, and the model that fits each reason best.
Ranked
Top Claude Sonnet 5 alternatives
Each model is scored against Claude Sonnet 5. Green means better, red means worse.
| Model | Input / 1M | Output / 1M | Context | Intelligence | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Claude Sonnet 5 Anthropic | Input / 1M$2 | Output / 1M$10 | Context1M | Intelligence38.2 | Reference model |
| Input / 1M$0.90-55% | Output / 1M$14+40% | Context1.05M+5% | Intelligence43.6+14% | Compare | |
Why switch:Higher intelligence scoreLarger 1.05M contextAccepts videoNewer release | |||||
| Input / 1M$5+150% | Output / 1M$25+150% | Context1M | Intelligence41.8+9% | Compare | |
Why switch:Higher intelligence score | |||||
| Input / 1M$0.75-62% | Output / 1M$3.75-62% | Context1.05M+5% | Intelligence40.9+7% | Compare | |
Why switch:2.7x cheaper outputHigher intelligence scoreLarger 1.05M contextAccepts video and audioNewer release | |||||
| Input / 1M$5+150% | Output / 1M$25+150% | Context1M | Intelligence40.7+7% | Compare | |
Why switch:Higher intelligence score | |||||
| Input / 1M$2 | Output / 1M$6-40% | Context1.05M+5% | Intelligence39.9+4% | Compare | |
Why switch:1.7x cheaper outputHigher intelligence scoreLarger 1.05M contextNewer release | |||||
| Input / 1M$0.75-62% | Output / 1M$3.75-62% | Context1.05M+5% | Intelligence39.6+4% | Compare | |
Why switch:2.7x cheaper outputHigher intelligence scoreLarger 1.05M contextAccepts video and audioNewer release | |||||
| Input / 1M$0.30-85% | Output / 1M$1.20-88% | Context1.05M+5% | Intelligence39.5+3% | Compare | |
Why switch:8.3x cheaper outputHigher intelligence scoreLarger 1.05M contextNewer release | |||||
| Input / 1M$2.50+25% | Output / 1M$15+50% | Context1.05M+5% | Intelligence39+2% | Compare | |
Why switch:Higher intelligence scoreLarger 1.05M context | |||||
| Input / 1M$2 | Output / 1M$6-40% | Context500K-50% | Intelligence38.8+2% | Compare | |
Why switch:1.7x cheaper outputHigher intelligence scoreNewer release | |||||
| Input / 1M$0.06-97% | Output / 1M$8-20% | Context1.05M+5% | Intelligence33.7-12% | Compare | |
Why switch:1.3x cheaper outputLarger 1.05M context | |||||
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Claude Sonnet 5?
Kimi K3 from Moonshot AI ranks first, based on independent benchmark scores. It costs $14 per 1M output tokens, compared with $10 for Claude Sonnet 5.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Claude Sonnet 5?
Yes. DeepSeek V4.1 Flash charges $1.20 per 1M output tokens, versus $10 for Claude Sonnet 5.
Can I try Claude Sonnet 5 and its alternatives at the same time?
Yes. Shortcut Chat sends one prompt to several models at once, so you can compare Claude Sonnet 5 with any of these alternatives on your own tasks.
Not sure which to pick? Try them all.
Send one prompt to Claude Sonnet 5 and its alternatives at the same time, and keep the answer you like best.