What is the best alternative to Grok 4.5?

GLM 5.2 is the closest model that scores higher on the BenchLeader Index (60.1 against 59.8). For less money, GPT-6.1 Terra scores 65.2 at $2.00 per 1M tokens.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Grok 4.5?

Yes: GPT-6.1 Terra (65.2, $2.00), Qwen3.6 Max (62.4, $2.96) and Gemini 3.7 Flash (62.2, $1.50), each within 4 Index points and cheaper than Grok 4.5's $3.00.

Is there an open-source alternative to Grok 4.5?

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 Grok 4.5, 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.

SpaceXAI

Grok 4.5 alternatives

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

As of 2 Nov 2026, Grok 4.5 by SpaceXAI scores 59.8 on the BenchLeader Index at $3.00 per 1M tokens blended. GLM 5.2 scores higher (60.1); GPT-6.1 Terra is the best cheaper model within 4 points (65.2 at $2.00); Claude Opus 5.5 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 Grok 4.5 on the Index.

GLM 5.2 Zhipu AI60.1 · $2.15
GPT-5.2 OpenAI60.1 · $4.81
Gemini 3 Pro Google60.2 · –

Cheaper, nearly as good

Within 4 Index points, for less per token.

GPT-6.1 Terra OpenAI65.2 · $2.00
Qwen3.6 Max Alibaba62.4 · $2.96
Gemini 3.7 Flash Google62.2 · $1.50
Muse Spark 1.1 Meta62.2 · $2.00
Gemini 3.8 Flash Google61.9 · $1.50

Faster

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

Claude Opus 5.5 Anthropic compare69.2 · $8.00
Gemini 4 Carbon Google compare68.9 · $8.00
GPT-6.1 Sol OpenAI compare67.2 · $4.00

Open weights

The best models whose weights you can run yourself.

Kimi K3 Moonshot AI62.1 · $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
Grok 4.5 (this model)	59.8	$3.00	54	–
Claude Opus 5.5	69.2	$8.00	96	faster
Gemini 4 Carbon	68.9	$8.00	95	faster
GPT-6.1 Sol	67.2	$4.00	87	faster
GPT-6.1 Terra	65.2	$2.00	107	cheaper
Qwen3.6 Max	62.4	$2.96	–	cheaper
Gemini 3.7 Flash	62.2	$1.50	91	cheaper
Muse Spark 1.1	62.2	$2.00	206	cheaper
Kimi K3	62.1	$6.00	66	open weights
Gemini 3.8 Flash	61.9	$1.50	131	cheaper
Gemini 3 Pro	60.2	–	–	scores higher
GLM-5	60.2	$1.55	62	open weights
GLM 5.2	60.1	$2.15	89	scores higher, open weights
GPT-5.2	60.1	$4.81	80	scores higher

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 Grok 4.5?: GLM 5.2 is the closest model that scores higher on the BenchLeader Index (60.1 against 59.8). For less money, GPT-6.1 Terra scores 65.2 at $2.00 per 1M tokens.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Grok 4.5?: Yes: GPT-6.1 Terra (65.2, $2.00), Qwen3.6 Max (62.4, $2.96) and Gemini 3.7 Flash (62.2, $1.50), each within 4 Index points and cheaper than Grok 4.5's $3.00.
Is there an open-source alternative to Grok 4.5?: 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 Grok 4.5, 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.