Looking for an honest Google Gemma 3 9B vs Mistral AI Mistral Small 3 comparison in 2026? We scored both ai language models on the same six-dimension framework — performance, battery, display, camera, design and value — using identical methodology, so the numbers below are directly comparable. Both products score nearly identically (53/100 vs 54/100) — this is a genuine toss-up that hinges on which specs matter most for your use case. The widest gap is in display, where the Google Gemma 3 9B pulls noticeably ahead.
Prices may vary · We may earn a commission on purchases. Learn more
Google Gemma 3 9B and Mistral AI Mistral Small 3 are closely matched ai language models devices with nearly identical overall scores (53 vs 54). The best choice depends on which specific features matter most to you.
✓ Pros
✗ Cons
✓ Pros
✗ Cons
Lower cost = better value. Free = open-source self-hosted.
| Metric | 3 9B | Small 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Input (Prompt) | ✓Free/1M | $0.10/1M |
| Output (Completion) | ✓Free/1M | $0.30/1M |
| Open Source | ✓ Free | ✓ Free |
Context Window (tokens)
| Metric | 3 9B | Small 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Max Output | ✓8,192 tok | 4,096 tok |
| Speed | ✓300 tok/s | 200 tok/s |
| Time to First Token | ✓100ms | 250ms |
| Languages | ✓35+ | 12+ |
Higher is better. Industry-standard AI evaluation benchmarks.
3 9B
Small 3
3 9B
Small 3
3 9B
Small 3
3 9B
Small 3
3 9B
Small 3
| Feature | 3 9B | Small 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning / Chain-of-Thought | ✕ | ✕ |
| Vision (Image Input) | ✓ | ✕ |
| Audio Input | ✕ | ✕ |
| Video Input | ✕ | ✕ |
| Image/Audio Output | ✕ | ✕ |
| Function Calling / Tools | ✓ | ✓ |
| JSON Mode | ✓ | ✓ |
| Real-time Web Access | ✕ | ✕ |
| Fine-tuning Support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Batch API | ✕ | ✓ |
| Streaming | ✓ | ✓ |
| Open Source | ✓ | ✓ |
| Field | 3 9B | Small 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Mistral AI | |
| Parameters | 9B | 24B |
| Knowledge Cutoff | 2024-12 | 2024-01 |
| License | Open | Apache 2.0 |
| Best For | on deviceedgecost efficientfine tuningresearch | cost efficiencyopen sourceself hostinghigh volume |
Buy Google Gemma 3 9B if…
The Google Gemma 3 9B is worth considering if you prefer its specific design, ecosystem, or brand — though it scores lower overall in our comparison.
Buy Mistral AI Mistral Small 3 if…
The Mistral AI Mistral Small 3 is worth considering if you prefer its specific design, ecosystem, or brand — though it scores lower overall in our comparison.
Google Gemma 3 9B and Mistral AI Mistral Small 3 are closely matched ai language models devices with nearly identical overall scores (53 vs 54). The best choice depends on which specific features matter most to you.
Both products score similarly — it depends on your priorities.
Check the latest prices using the buy links above.
The Google Gemma 3 9B is worth considering if you prefer its specific design, ecosystem, or brand — though it scores lower overall in our comparison.
The Mistral AI Mistral Small 3 is worth considering if you prefer its specific design, ecosystem, or brand — though it scores lower overall in our comparison.
Reviewed by VersusMatrix Editorial Team
Last updated: June 1, 2026
Methodology: AI-powered analysis of technical specifications from manufacturer data. Scores are calculated by comparing products across multiple dimensions and normalized relative to the full category database. Our editorial process is independent and not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
Scores are relative within the ai language modelscategory. Percentages show each dimension's weight in the overall score. A difference of less than 0.5 points is considered a tie.