Mercury 2.5vsStep 3.7 Flash

Both language models, compared at each maker’s own API list prices. Every figure links to its source.

Compare at your usage

Every model priced for the same request
Prompt per request
Cache hits

8,000 tokens in, 2,000 out

Mercury 2.5 on Inception APIStep 3.7 Flash on StepFun API
Rate appliedBase rateBase rate
Inputper 1M tokens$0.20 $0.20
Cache readper 1M tokens$0.020 $0.040
Outputper 1M tokens$0.75 $1.15
Cost per request$0.0031$0.0039
Per 1,000 requests$3.10$3.90

Every model is priced for the same request at its maker’s own list prices (each with its source and date), so bold marks the cheapest. A model that can’t serve the request is named, not ranked; a condition its seller doesn’t price says which rate was used.

Cost per request as prompts grow

2K tokens out, list price on each maker’s API. A line ends at the model’s context window.

0$0.020$0.0400250K500K750K1Mprompt tokens per request8KMercury 2.5$0.0031 at 8KStep 3.7 Flash$0.0039 at 8K
  • Mercury 2.5 · Inception API
  • Step 3.7 Flash · StepFun API

Key differences

OutputMaker’s official API · global · USD
$0.75 / 1M tokens Inception: models · as of Nov 2, 2026
$1.15 / 1M tokens StepFun: pricing details · as of Nov 2, 2026
Context
260,000 Inception: models · as of Nov 2, 2026
256,000 StepFun: Step 3.7 Flash · as of Nov 2, 2026
Input modalities
Text Inception: FAQ · as of Nov 2, 2026
Text, Image, Video StepFun: Step 3.7 Flash · as of Nov 2, 2026
Cache readMaker’s official API · global · USD
$0.020 / 1M tokens Inception: models · as of Nov 2, 2026
$0.040 / 1M tokens StepFun: pricing details · as of Nov 2, 2026

These differences use verified vendor specifications or each maker’s official API on the same region, currency, meter and billing conditions. Different conditions remain side by side in the full table; they do not establish which model is cheaper. Declared features describe support, not measured quality or a recommendation. Missing evidence does not mean a feature is unsupported.

Full comparison

Mercury 2.5 Inception Step 3.7 Flash StepFun
Overview
ReleasedSep 8, 2026 May 29, 2026
Open weights— Yes
Knowledge cutoffNov 1, 2025 Mar 1, 2026
Specs
Context260K 256K
Max output65.54K 256K
Input modalitiesText Text, Image, Video
Output modalitiesText Text
ReasoningYes Yes
Reasoning effortslow, medium, high low, medium, high
Tool useYes Yes
Structured outputYes Not stated
Pricing · per 1M tokens
Input price$0.20 $0.20
Output price$0.75 $1.15
Cache read price$0.020 $0.040
Blended price (3 input : 1 output)$0.3375 $0.4375

Headline prices may come from different channels, regions or tiers. Check each source before choosing a model; missing facts stay blank.

Model details and sources