Compare the listed model data for Qwen3 8B by Qwen and Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct by meta-llama. Benchmark and pricing records are not a controlled test and may change.
Data last updated: 2026-10-16. Verify current model details with each provider.
What the listed data says
Qwen3 8B: 128K tokens; Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct: 128K tokens. The listed context-window values are equal. Qwen3 8B is listed for coding, reasoning, long-context tasks; Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct is listed for no specific capability flags. Shared catalog benchmark entries: MMLU: Qwen3 8B 87.5%; Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct 73.0%; HumanEval: Qwen3 8B 85.6%; Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct 72.6%. These records are reference data, not a controlled head-to-head test; verify current pricing and specifications with each provider.
Catalog source links
Use these model and provider links to verify current specifications, pricing, and availability.
The listed context windows are 128K tokens and 128K tokens; the larger is 1× the smaller.
On shared numeric benchmark entries, MMLU: Qwen3 8B − Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct = +14.5 percentage points (87.5% vs 73.0%); HumanEval: Qwen3 8B − Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct = +13 percentage points (85.6% vs 72.6%).
The first listed parameter quantities are 8B and 8B; the larger quantity is 1× the smaller. Total and active MoE parameters are not directly equivalent.
The catalog release dates are April 2025 and July 2024, about 9 months apart at the precision supplied.
Cost example: 1M input and 1M output tokens
A cost example for 1M input plus 1M output tokens cannot be calculated reliably because separate numeric input and output rates are not listed for both models.
Choose Qwen3 8B if…
Choose Qwen3 8B when your task aligns with catalog-listed uses or strengths such as Fast everyday coding assistance in Python, JS, and TypeScript, Multilingual chatbots targeting Asian and African markets, Edge deployment and cost-sensitive production APIs, Student homework help across 119 languages.
Choose Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct if…
Choose Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct when your task aligns with catalog-listed uses or strengths such as Llama 3.1 compatible deployments at 8B scale, Same capabilities as Llama 3.1 8B Instruct, 128K context window, Llama 3.1 Community License.
Feature Comparison — Qwen3 8B vs Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct
Catalog specifications for Qwen3 8B and Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct
Specification
Qwen3 8B
Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct
Provider
Qwen
meta-llama
Parameters
8B
8B
Context window
128K tokens
128K tokens
Maximum output
Not listed
Not listed
Catalog pricing
Open source — free to download. API access via third-party providers ~$0.05-0.15/MTok
Free — Llama 3.1 Community License
Listed input/output cost per 1M tokens
Separate numeric input/output rates not listed
Separate numeric input/output rates not listed
License
Apache 2.0
Meta Llama 3.1 Community License
Coding support
Listed
Not listed
Reasoning support
Listed
Not listed
Vision input
Not listed
Not listed
Multimodal
Not listed
Not listed
Open weights
Yes
Yes
Benchmark: MMLU
87.5%
73.0%
Benchmark: HumanEval
85.6%
72.6%
Figures are transcribed from LITHOVEX model records. Benchmark versions and evaluation setups may differ; pricing and specifications can change. Check each provider's current documentation before making a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is different between Qwen3 8B and Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct?
Qwen3 8B: 128K tokens; Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct: 128K tokens. The listed context-window values are equal. Qwen3 8B is listed for coding, reasoning, long-context tasks; Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct is listed for no specific capability flags. Shared catalog benchmark entries: MMLU: Qwen3 8B 87.5%; Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct 73.0%; HumanEval: Qwen3 8B 85.6%; Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct 72.6%. These records are reference data, not a controlled head-to-head test; verify current pricing and specifications with each provider.
What benchmark values are listed for Qwen3 8B and Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct?
MMLU: Qwen3 8B 87.5%; Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct 73.0%; HumanEval: Qwen3 8B 85.6%; Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct 72.6%. The catalog values may use different versions and evaluation setups, so they are reference points rather than a controlled head-to-head result.
Which model has the larger listed context window?
Qwen3 8B: 128K tokens; Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct: 128K tokens. The listed context-window values are equal.
What are the listed costs per million tokens for Qwen3 8B and Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct?
Qwen3 8B: Separate numeric input/output rates not listed (Open source — free to download. API access via third-party providers ~$0.05-0.15/MTok). Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct: Separate numeric input/output rates not listed (Free — Llama 3.1 Community License). Where separate numeric input and output rates are available, the worked example uses 1M input plus 1M output tokens. Confirm current terms with each provider.
How far apart are the listed release dates for Qwen3 8B and Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct?
The catalog lists Qwen3 8B as April 2025 and Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct as July 2024, about 9 months apart at the precision supplied.
When was the comparison data last updated?
The model catalog records 2026-10-16 as its data update date. Provider specifications and prices may have changed since then.
How should I choose between Qwen3 8B and Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct?
Compare the listed specifications and capabilities, review the benchmark notes, then test both with the same representative prompt for your task. This page does not claim a universal winner.
Create your free LITHOVEX account and compare Qwen3 8B and Meta Llama 3.1 8B Instruct on your actual tasks. No credit card, no API key, no subscriptions needed.