---
title: "MiniMax-M3 - Model Details & Comparison"
description: "MiniMax-M3 from Wafer: capabilities, context limits, pricing, and side-by-side comparisons with alternative models."
url: "https://maxim-root-proxy-preview.getmaxim.workers.dev/bifrost/model-library/compare/wafer/minimax-m3"
markdown: "https://maxim-root-proxy-preview.getmaxim.workers.dev/bifrost/model-library/compare/wafer/minimax-m3.md"
---

# MiniMax-M3 - Model Details & Comparison

> MiniMax-M3 from Wafer: capabilities, context limits, pricing, and side-by-side comparisons with alternative models.

## Important Links

- [View MCP Gateway](https://maxim-root-proxy-preview.getmaxim.workers.dev/bifrost/resources/mcp-gateway.md)
- [Features](https://maxim-root-proxy-preview.getmaxim.workers.dev/bifrost/#features)
- [Enterprise](https://maxim-root-proxy-preview.getmaxim.workers.dev/bifrost/enterprise)
- [Pricing](https://maxim-root-proxy-preview.getmaxim.workers.dev/bifrost/pricing.md)
- [Docs](https://docs.getbifrost.ai)
- [GitHub](https://github.com/maximhq/bifrost)
- [Book a Demo](https://maxim-root-proxy-preview.getmaxim.workers.dev/bifrost/book-a-demo)

## About MiniMax-M3

MiniMax-M3 is a chat model from Wafer, one of 5 chat models they offer. It is priced at $0.33 per 1M input tokens and $1.32 per 1M output tokens, ranking 1123 out of 2669 chat models by cost and cheaper than 58% of models in this category. MiniMax-M3 supports vision, function calling, reasoning, prompt caching, structured output.

## Specifications

- **Wafer Provider.**
- **Chat Mode.**
- **1,048,576 Max Tokens.**
- **$0.33 / 1M tokens Input Price.**
- **$1.32 / 1M tokens Output Price.**

## Capabilities

MiniMax-M3 supports: Function Calling, Vision, Reasoning, Prompt Caching, System Messages, Response Schema.

## MiniMax-M3 Pricing Overview

At $0.33 per 1M input tokens and $1.32 per 1M output tokens, MiniMax-M3 ranks 1123 out of 2669 chat models by input cost. It is more affordable compared to the median of $0.50 for chat models, and is cheaper than 58% of models in this category.

MiniMax-M3 is one of 5 Wafer chat models, with support for vision, function calling, reasoning, prompt caching, structured output.

## Models to Compare

Alternatives to MiniMax-M3 with comparable capabilities.

| Model | Provider | Input $/1M | Output $/1M |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| amazon.nova-2-lite-v1:0 | AWS Bedrock | $0.30 | $2.50 |
| apac.amazon.nova-2-lite-v1:0 | AWS Bedrock | $0.33 | $2.75 |
| eu.amazon.nova-2-lite-v1:0 | AWS Bedrock | $0.33 | $2.75 |
| us.amazon.nova-2-lite-v1:0 | AWS Bedrock | $0.33 | $2.75 |
| gpt-5-mini-2025-08-07 | Azure | $0.28 | $2.20 |

- [Compare amazon.nova-2-lite-v1:0](https://maxim-root-proxy-preview.getmaxim.workers.dev/bifrost/model-library/compare/bedrock/amazon.nova-2-lite-v1-0.md)
- [Compare apac.amazon.nova-2-lite-v1:0](https://maxim-root-proxy-preview.getmaxim.workers.dev/bifrost/model-library/compare/bedrock/apac.amazon.nova-2-lite-v1-0.md)
- [Compare eu.amazon.nova-2-lite-v1:0](https://maxim-root-proxy-preview.getmaxim.workers.dev/bifrost/model-library/compare/bedrock/eu.amazon.nova-2-lite-v1-0.md)
- [Compare us.amazon.nova-2-lite-v1:0](https://maxim-root-proxy-preview.getmaxim.workers.dev/bifrost/model-library/compare/bedrock/us.amazon.nova-2-lite-v1-0.md)
- [Compare gpt-5-mini-2025-08-07](https://maxim-root-proxy-preview.getmaxim.workers.dev/bifrost/model-library/compare/azure/gpt-5-mini-2025-08-07.md)

## Related Resources

- [Calculate MiniMax-M3 costs](https://maxim-root-proxy-preview.getmaxim.workers.dev/bifrost/llm-cost-calculator/provider/wafer/model/minimax-m3.md)
- [All Wafer pricing](https://maxim-root-proxy-preview.getmaxim.workers.dev/bifrost/llm-cost-calculator/provider/wafer.md)

## FAQ

### Is MiniMax-M3 cheaper than amazon.nova-2-lite-v1:0?

No. MiniMax-M3 costs $0.33 per 1M input tokens while amazon.nova-2-lite-v1:0 costs $0.30 per 1M input tokens, making amazon.nova-2-lite-v1:0 9% more affordable for input. However, MiniMax-M3 may offer different capabilities or performance characteristics that justify the price difference.

### How does MiniMax-M3 pricing compare to the average chat model?

MiniMax-M3 input pricing is $0.33 per 1M tokens, which is 34% below the median of $0.50 for chat models. It ranks 1123 out of 2669 chat models by input cost, making it cheaper than 58% of models in this category. For output, it costs $1.32 per 1M tokens compared to the median of $1.44.

### What makes MiniMax-M3 different from other Wafer models?

Among Wafer's 5 chat models, MiniMax-M3 ranks 1 by input cost.

### What are the best alternatives to MiniMax-M3?

The most comparable chat models to MiniMax-M3 are: amazon.nova-2-lite-v1:0 from AWS Bedrock ($0.30/1M input tokens); apac.amazon.nova-2-lite-v1:0 from AWS Bedrock ($0.33/1M input tokens); eu.amazon.nova-2-lite-v1:0 from AWS Bedrock ($0.33/1M input tokens); us.amazon.nova-2-lite-v1:0 from AWS Bedrock ($0.33/1M input tokens). These alternatives were selected based on similar capabilities, pricing, and provider diversity. You can compare any of these models in detail using the Bifrost Model Library.

### How do I calculate MiniMax-M3 costs?

MiniMax-M3 is priced based on input and output tokens. Use the interactive calculator at the top of this page to estimate costs for your specific workload. Enter your expected input and output tokens volume and the calculator will show the total cost breakdown. For reference, processing 1M input tokens costs $0.33 and generating 1M output tokens costs $1.32.

## Related Resources

- [Wafer models](https://maxim-root-proxy-preview.getmaxim.workers.dev/bifrost/model-library/provider/wafer.md)
- [Model library](https://maxim-root-proxy-preview.getmaxim.workers.dev/bifrost/model-library.md)
- [LLM cost calculator](https://maxim-root-proxy-preview.getmaxim.workers.dev/bifrost/llm-cost-calculator.md)
- [Docs: Bifrost docs](https://docs.getbifrost.ai)
- [GitHub: maximhq/bifrost](https://github.com/maximhq/bifrost)
- [Pricing: Bifrost pricing](https://maxim-root-proxy-preview.getmaxim.workers.dev/bifrost/pricing.md)
- [Enterprise: Bifrost enterprise](https://maxim-root-proxy-preview.getmaxim.workers.dev/bifrost/enterprise)
- [Book a Demo: Bifrost demo](https://maxim-root-proxy-preview.getmaxim.workers.dev/bifrost/book-a-demo)
- [Resources: Bifrost resources](https://maxim-root-proxy-preview.getmaxim.workers.dev/bifrost/resources.md)

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*This is a markdown version of [https://maxim-root-proxy-preview.getmaxim.workers.dev/bifrost/model-library/compare/wafer/minimax-m3](https://maxim-root-proxy-preview.getmaxim.workers.dev/bifrost/model-library/compare/wafer/minimax-m3) for AI/LLM consumption.*