Best AI models for coding by price
How many LLM Stats coding-index points each dollar buys: useful for agents that make many calls per task.
Criteria the LLM Stats coding index divided by the blended 3:1 (input:output) price, only for models with a coding index of 35 or higher.
- 01Gemini 3.8 FlashGoogle26.2Coding points per USD
- 02Muse Spark 1.3Meta19.3Coding points per USD
- 03GLM-5.3Z.ai (Zhipu AI)18.7Coding points per USD
How it is calculated
- The indexes (overall, reasoning, coding) are the ones LLM Stats publishes; Codifly does not run these tests.
- Prices are each provider's official standard API prices, without caching or batching.
- The blended price weighs 3 input tokens per output token; cost-benefit divides the overall index by that price.
Which one fits your case?
The top of a ranking is not always the most cost-effective at your volume. Estimate your cost or ask us for a written recommendation.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best AI model for coding per dollar?
Gemini 3.8 Flash (26.2 pts/USD) leads this ranking, followed by Muse Spark 1.3 (19.3 pts/USD) · GLM-5.3 (18.7 pts/USD). Data reviewed on Oct 29, 2026.
Which model in this ranking has the best price-performance?
Gemini 3.8 Flash: 34.0 LLM Stats index points per dollar, at a blended price of $1.50 per million tokens.
How is this ranking calculated?
the LLM Stats coding index divided by the blended 3:1 (input:output) price, only for models with a coding index of 35 or higher. The indexes (overall, reasoning, coding) are the ones LLM Stats publishes; Codifly does not run these tests. Prices are each provider's official standard API prices, without caching or batching. The blended price weighs 3 input tokens per output token; cost-benefit divides the overall index by that price.
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