Microsoft Phi-4 narrowly beats the Mistral AI Mistral Small 3 in the ai language models category, particularly in display, scoring 60 vs 54. If you want the better overall performer, Microsoft Phi-4 is the clear pick.
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.
✓ Pros
✗ Cons
Lower cost = better value. Free = open-source self-hosted.
| Metric | Microsoft Phi-4 | Small 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Input (Prompt) | ✓$0.07/1M | $0.10/1M |
| Output (Completion) | ✓$0.26/1M | $0.30/1M |
| Open Source | ✓ Free | ✓ Free |
Context Window (tokens)
| Metric | Microsoft Phi-4 | Small 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Max Output | 4,096 tok | 4,096 tok |
| Speed | ✓250 tok/s | 200 tok/s |
| Time to First Token | ✓150ms | 250ms |
| Languages | ✓15+ | 12+ |
Higher is better. Industry-standard AI evaluation benchmarks.
Microsoft Phi-4
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Microsoft Phi-4
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Microsoft Phi-4
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| Feature | Microsoft Phi-4 | 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 | Microsoft Phi-4 | Small 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Microsoft | Mistral AI |
| Parameters | 14B | 24B |
| Knowledge Cutoff | 2024-06 | 2024-01 |
| License | MIT | Apache 2.0 |
| Best For | edge deploymentSTEMcost efficiencymathsmall footprint | cost efficiencyopen sourceself hostinghigh volume |
Buy Microsoft Phi-4 if…
Buy the Microsoft Phi-4 if you want the best performance in this comparison. It scores higher overall and is the recommended choice for most buyers.
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.
Microsoft Phi-4 narrowly beats the Mistral AI Mistral Small 3 in the ai language models category, particularly in display, scoring 60 vs 54. If you want the better overall performer, Microsoft Phi-4 is the clear pick.
Yes, Microsoft Phi-4 scores higher overall (82 vs 79).
Check the latest prices using the buy links above.
Buy the Microsoft Phi-4 if you want the best performance in this comparison. It scores higher overall and is the recommended choice for most buyers.
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: April 18, 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.