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  5. Claude 2vsMercury 2.5 Preview
Updated Aug 2026

Claude 2vsMercury 2.5 Preview

Mercury 2.5 Preview is cheaper than Claude 2 at $0.04/M vs $11.02/M input tokens.

Claude 2 and Mercury 2.5 Preview compared across 5 shared prompts
SpecClaude 2Mercury 2.5 Preview
Input price$11.02/M tokens$0.04/M tokens
Output price$32.68/M tokens$0.15/M tokens
Context window100K tokens260K tokens
Free API (OpenRouter)NoNo
ReleasedJun 2023Aug 2026
Side by side

Same prompt, both answers

Opening lines from 2 of the 5 prompts both answered. Formatting stripped, words untouched.

Simple 7-Ingredient Recipe

Create a simple recipe for a delicious dish (sweet or savory) using only 7 common pantry ingredients. Include a creative name for the dish…

Claude 2146 words
Here is a 7-ingredient recipe for a sweet dish I'll call "Cinnamon Apple Surprise": Cinnamon Apple Surprise Ingredients: 3 apples, cored and sliced 1⁄4 cup brown sugar 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1⁄4 tsp nutmeg 2 tbsp butter, melted 1 refrigerated pie crust Instructions: Preheat oven to 375°F.
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Mercury 2.5 Preview186 words
Dish Name: Rustic Sun-Dried Pasta Ingredients (7 Pantry Staples): Spaghetti (or any long pasta) Canned crushed tomatoes Olive oil Garlic powder Dried oregano Salt Black pepper Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes Instructions: Boil the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
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Beginner's Longevity Plan

Outline a simple, actionable 1-month plan for someone starting their journey towards better health and longevity. Focus on 3 key areas…

Claude 2257 words
Here is a 1-month beginner health and longevity plan focused on diet, exercise, and sleep: Diet: Eliminate sugary drinks and limit sweets. Replace with water and fruits. Eat more veggies. Aim for 1-2 cups with each meal. Focus on dark leafy greens, broccoli, carrots. Increase fiber intake.
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Mercury 2.5 Preview176 words
Here is a straightforward 4-week roadmap designed to build sustainable habits without overwhelming you. Core Pillars Nutrition: Focus on whole foods and hydration. Activity: Prioritize consistent movement over intensity. Restoration: Protect sleep quality and manage energy.
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Our Verdict
Claude 2
Claude 2
Mercury 2.5 Preview
Mercury 2.5 Preview

Not enough votes to call it. On the specs, nothing separates them.

Mercury 2.5 Preview costs 218x less per token.

Too close to call

Reviewing agent-written code?See a Brief PR report

API pricing

Cost per 1M tokens

Claude 2
Input
$11.02
Output
$32.68
Mercury 2.5 Preview
Input
$0.04
276× cheaper
Output
$0.15
218× cheaper

Mercury 2.5 Preview is cheaper on both: 276× input, 218× output.

Where to run it

1 host

Claude 2

No hosts listed on OpenRouter.

Mercury 2.5 Preview1 host
HostInOutContextUptime
Inception$0.04 in·$0.15 out·260k·100% up

Per million tokens. Prices and uptime via OpenRouter, checked 16 Sep 2026.

Writing DNA

Style Comparison

Similarity
53%

Mercury 2.5 Preview uses 43.8x more hedging

Claude 2
Mercury 2.5 Preview
65%Vocabulary65%
13wSentence Length14w
0.00Hedging0.44
0.0Bold4.9
10.2Lists3.3
0.00Emoji0.00
0.00Headings0.79
0.00Transitions0.20
Based on 2 + 26 text responses
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Model pages

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Mercury 2.5 Preview logo
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