What is the best alternative to Gemini 4 Hydrogen?

GPT-5.5 is the closest model that scores higher on the BenchLeader Index (64.1 against 63.4). For less money, GPT-6.1 Terra scores 64.1 at $2.00 per 1M tokens.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Gemini 4 Hydrogen?

Yes: GPT-6.1 Terra (64.1, $2.00), Muse Spark 1.1 (62.2, $2.00) and Gemini 3.7 Flash (62.1, $1.50), each within 4 Index points and cheaper than Gemini 4 Hydrogen's $3.00.

Is there an open-source alternative to Gemini 4 Hydrogen?

The best open-weights models on the BenchLeader Index are Kimi K3 (61.6), Kimi K3.1 Pro (61.3) and GLM-5 (60.2). You can download and run them yourself; check each licence on its model page.

How are these alternatives chosen?

From the models ranked on the BenchLeader Index today: the ones just above Gemini 4 Hydrogen, cheaper ones within 4 points, ones at least 1.5× as fast within 4 points, and the best open-weights models. Prices are list prices blended three input tokens to one output.

Google

Gemini 4 Hydrogen alternatives

Data as of 13 Nov 2026 · ranked on the BenchLeader Index

As of 13 Nov 2026, Gemini 4 Hydrogen by Google scores 63.4 on the BenchLeader Index at $3.00 per 1M tokens blended. GPT-5.5 scores higher (64.1); GPT-6.1 Terra is the best cheaper model within 4 points (64.1 at $2.00); Kimi K3 is the best open-weights option (61.6).

Scores higher

The closest models above Gemini 4 Hydrogen on the Index.

GPT-5.5 OpenAI compare64.1 · $11.25
GPT-6.1 Terra OpenAI compare64.1 · $2.00
Muse Spark Meta compare64.2 · –

Cheaper, nearly as good

Within 4 Index points, for less per token.

GPT-6.1 Terra OpenAI compare64.1 · $2.00
Muse Spark 1.1 Meta compare62.2 · $2.00
Gemini 3.7 Flash Google compare62.1 · $1.50
Qwen3.6 Max Alibaba compare62.1 · $2.92
Gemini 3.8 Flash Google compare61.7 · $1.50

Open weights

The best models whose weights you can run yourself.

Kimi K3 Moonshot AI compare61.6 · $6.00
Kimi K3.1 Pro Moonshot AI compare61.3 · $4.00
GLM-5 Zhipu AI60.2 · $1.55

Every alternative side by side

Model	Index	$ / 1M blended	Tokens / s	Why
Gemini 4 Hydrogen (this model)	63.4	$3.00	180	–
Muse Spark	64.2	–	–	scores higher
GPT-5.5	64.1	$11.25	70	scores higher
GPT-6.1 Terra	64.1	$2.00	68	scores higher, cheaper
Muse Spark 1.1	62.2	$2.00	188	cheaper
Gemini 3.7 Flash	62.1	$1.50	92	cheaper
Qwen3.6 Max	62.1	$2.92	–	cheaper
Gemini 3.8 Flash	61.7	$1.50	111	cheaper
Kimi K3	61.6	$6.00	47	open weights
Kimi K3.1 Pro	61.3	$4.00	31	open weights
GLM-5	60.2	$1.55	57	open weights

Prices are list prices blended three input tokens to one output; speeds are measured medians, credited on each model page. The Index is BenchLeader's own, from independent benchmarks.

Questions people ask

What is the best alternative to Gemini 4 Hydrogen?: GPT-5.5 is the closest model that scores higher on the BenchLeader Index (64.1 against 63.4). For less money, GPT-6.1 Terra scores 64.1 at $2.00 per 1M tokens.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Gemini 4 Hydrogen?: Yes: GPT-6.1 Terra (64.1, $2.00), Muse Spark 1.1 (62.2, $2.00) and Gemini 3.7 Flash (62.1, $1.50), each within 4 Index points and cheaper than Gemini 4 Hydrogen's $3.00.
Is there an open-source alternative to Gemini 4 Hydrogen?: The best open-weights models on the BenchLeader Index are Kimi K3 (61.6), Kimi K3.1 Pro (61.3) and GLM-5 (60.2). You can download and run them yourself; check each licence on its model page.
How are these alternatives chosen?: From the models ranked on the BenchLeader Index today: the ones just above Gemini 4 Hydrogen, cheaper ones within 4 points, ones at least 1.5× as fast within 4 points, and the best open-weights models. Prices are list prices blended three input tokens to one output.