What is the best alternative to Kimi K2.6?

GPT-5 Pro is the closest model that scores higher on the BenchLeader Index (59.8 against 59.7). For less money, Gemini 3.7 Flash scores 62.2 at $1.50 per 1M tokens.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Kimi K2.6?

Yes: Gemini 3.7 Flash (62.2, $1.50), Gemini 3.8 Flash (61.9, $1.50) and Gemini 3.6 Flash (61.3, $1.50), each within 4 Index points and cheaper than Kimi K2.6's $1.71.

Is there an open-source alternative to Kimi K2.6?

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 Kimi K2.6, 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.

Moonshot AI

Kimi K2.6 alternatives

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

As of 2 Nov 2026, Kimi K2.6 by Moonshot AI scores 59.7 on the BenchLeader Index at $1.71 per 1M tokens blended. GPT-5 Pro scores higher (59.8); Gemini 3.7 Flash is the best cheaper model within 4 points (62.2 at $1.50); 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 Kimi K2.6 on the Index.

GPT-5 Pro OpenAI59.8 · $41.25
Grok 4.5 SpaceXAI59.8 · $3.00
GLM 5.2 Zhipu AI60.1 · $2.15

Cheaper, nearly as good

Within 4 Index points, for less per token.

Gemini 3.7 Flash Google62.2 · $1.50
Gemini 3.8 Flash Google61.9 · $1.50
Gemini 3.6 Flash Google61.3 · $1.50
GLM-5 Zhipu AI60.2 · $1.55
DeepSeek V4.1 Flash 1017 DeepSeek59.2 · $0.525

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

Open-weights models that score higher.

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
Kimi K2.6 (this model)	59.7	$1.71	41	–
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
Gemini 3.7 Flash	62.2	$1.50	91	cheaper
Kimi K3	62.1	$6.00	66	open weights
Gemini 3.8 Flash	61.9	$1.50	131	cheaper
Gemini 3.6 Flash	61.3	$1.50	197	cheaper
GLM-5	60.2	$1.55	62	cheaper, open weights
GLM 5.2	60.1	$2.15	89	scores higher, open weights
GPT-5 Pro	59.8	$41.25	18	scores higher
Grok 4.5	59.8	$3.00	54	scores higher
DeepSeek V4.1 Flash 1017	59.2	$0.525	170	cheaper

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 Kimi K2.6?: GPT-5 Pro is the closest model that scores higher on the BenchLeader Index (59.8 against 59.7). For less money, Gemini 3.7 Flash scores 62.2 at $1.50 per 1M tokens.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Kimi K2.6?: Yes: Gemini 3.7 Flash (62.2, $1.50), Gemini 3.8 Flash (61.9, $1.50) and Gemini 3.6 Flash (61.3, $1.50), each within 4 Index points and cheaper than Kimi K2.6's $1.71.
Is there an open-source alternative to Kimi K2.6?: 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 Kimi K2.6, 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.