What is the best alternative to GPT-5.6 Terra?

Gemini 3.6 Flash is the closest model that scores higher on the BenchLeader Index (61.3 against 61.1). For less money, GPT-6.1 Sol scores 67.2 at $4.00 per 1M tokens.

Is there a cheaper alternative to GPT-5.6 Terra?

Yes: GPT-6.1 Sol (67.2, $4.00), Gemini 4 Argon (65.9, $4.00) and GPT-6.1 Terra (65.2, $2.00), each within 4 Index points and cheaper than GPT-5.6 Terra's $4.50.

Is there an open-source alternative to GPT-5.6 Terra?

The best open-weights models on the BenchLeader Index are Kimi K3 (62.1), GLM-5 (60.2) and GLM 5.2 (60.1). 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 GPT-5.6 Terra, 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.

OpenAI

GPT-5.6 Terra alternatives

Data as of 2 Nov 2026 · ranked on the BenchLeader Index

As of 2 Nov 2026, GPT-5.6 Terra by OpenAI scores 61.1 on the BenchLeader Index at $4.50 per 1M tokens blended. Gemini 3.6 Flash scores higher (61.3); GPT-6.1 Sol is the best cheaper model within 4 points (67.2 at $4.00); Muse Spark 1.1 is at least 1.5× as fast at a similar score; Kimi K3 is the best open-weights option (62.1).

Scores higher

The closest models above GPT-5.6 Terra on the Index.

Gemini 3.6 Flash Google compare61.3 · $1.50
Kimi K3.1 Pro Moonshot AI61.5 · $4.00
Muse Spark 1.2 Meta compare61.6 · $2.00

Cheaper, nearly as good

Within 4 Index points, for less per token.

GPT-6.1 Sol OpenAI compare67.2 · $4.00
Gemini 4 Argon Google compare65.9 · $4.00
GPT-6.1 Terra OpenAI compare65.2 · $2.00
Claude Sonnet 5.5 Anthropic compare65.1 · $4.00
GPT-6 Sol OpenAI63.5 · $4.00

Faster

At least 1.5× the output speed, within 4 points.

Muse Spark 1.1 Meta62.2 · $2.00
Muse Spark 1.2 Meta compare61.6 · $2.00
Gemini 3.6 Flash Google compare61.3 · $1.50

Open weights

The best models whose weights you can run yourself.

Kimi K3 Moonshot AI compare62.1 · $6.00
GLM-5 Zhipu AI60.2 · $1.55
GLM 5.2 Zhipu AI60.1 · $2.15

Every alternative side by side

Model	Index	$ / 1M blended	Tokens / s	Why
GPT-5.6 Terra (this model)	61.1	$4.50	130	–
GPT-6.1 Sol	67.2	$4.00	87	cheaper
Gemini 4 Argon	65.9	$4.00	83	cheaper
GPT-6.1 Terra	65.2	$2.00	107	cheaper
Claude Sonnet 5.5	65.1	$4.00	137	cheaper
GPT-6 Sol	63.5	$4.00	149	cheaper
Muse Spark 1.1	62.2	$2.00	206	faster
Kimi K3	62.1	$6.00	66	open weights
Muse Spark 1.2	61.6	$2.00	296	scores higher, faster
Kimi K3.1 Pro	61.5	$4.00	31	scores higher
Gemini 3.6 Flash	61.3	$1.50	197	scores higher, faster
GLM-5	60.2	$1.55	62	open weights
GLM 5.2	60.1	$2.15	89	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 GPT-5.6 Terra?: Gemini 3.6 Flash is the closest model that scores higher on the BenchLeader Index (61.3 against 61.1). For less money, GPT-6.1 Sol scores 67.2 at $4.00 per 1M tokens.
Is there a cheaper alternative to GPT-5.6 Terra?: Yes: GPT-6.1 Sol (67.2, $4.00), Gemini 4 Argon (65.9, $4.00) and GPT-6.1 Terra (65.2, $2.00), each within 4 Index points and cheaper than GPT-5.6 Terra's $4.50.
Is there an open-source alternative to GPT-5.6 Terra?: The best open-weights models on the BenchLeader Index are Kimi K3 (62.1), GLM-5 (60.2) and GLM 5.2 (60.1). 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 GPT-5.6 Terra, 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.