Claude Sonnet 5 vs Gemini 3.6 Flash
Both are Mid-tier models, from Anthropic and Google respectively. Gemini 3.6 Flash is the cheaper choice overall at a 4:1 input:output ratio.
Which is cheaper
- Input price: Gemini 3.6 Flash is cheaper ($0.75 vs $2.00).
- Output price: Gemini 3.6 Flash is cheaper ($3.75 vs $10.00).
- Blended, 4:1 input:output ratio: Gemini 3.6 Flash is 62.5% cheaper ($1.35 vs $3.60 per weighted 1M tokens).
Side by side
| Spec | Claude Sonnet 5 | Gemini 3.6 Flash |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Anthropic | |
| Tier | Mid | Mid |
| Context window | 1M | 1.05M |
| Max output | 128K | 66K |
| Input $/1M | $2.00 | $0.75 |
| Output $/1M | $10.00 | $3.75 |
| Cache read $/1M | $0.20 | $0.075 |
| Cache write $/1M | $2.50 | — |
| Modalities | text, image | text, image |
Claude Sonnet 5. 5-minute cache write shown; 1-hour cache write is $4/MTok. The page now states explicitly the previously-scheduled Sep 1 2026 increase to $3/$15 will NOT occur - $2/$10 is permanent.
Gemini 3.6 Flash. Standard tier. Introductory pricing through 31 December 2026, identical to 3.7 Flash; from 1 January 2027 the rate is $1.50 input / $7.50 output, cache read $0.15 per 1M.
Sources
Claude Sonnet 5 — verified August 29, 2026
Gemini 3.6 Flash — verified August 29, 2026
Full Claude Sonnet 5 pricing page → · Full Gemini 3.6 Flash pricing page →