What is the difference between OpenAI Codex Mini and MiniMax M3?

OpenAI Codex Mini is developed by OpenAI while MiniMax M3 is developed by MiniMax. OpenAI Codex Mini has a 200K token context window vs MiniMax M3's 1.0M. You can compare their actual outputs across 10 challenges on Rival to see how they differ in practice.

Which is better, OpenAI Codex Mini or MiniMax M3?

It depends on your use case. OpenAI Codex Mini and MiniMax M3 each have strengths in different areas. Rival lets you compare their real outputs side-by-side across 10 challenges so you can judge which fits your needs best.

How much does OpenAI Codex Mini cost compared to MiniMax M3?

OpenAI Codex Mini costs $1.5/M input tokens and MiniMax M3 costs $0.3/M input tokens. MiniMax M3 is $1.20/M cheaper per input. Check their side-by-side outputs on Rival to see if the price difference is justified by quality.

How can I compare OpenAI Codex Mini and MiniMax M3 on Rival?

This page shows a side-by-side comparison of OpenAI Codex Mini and MiniMax M3 across shared challenges. You can vote on which model produced the better output in a blind duel. Browsing and voting are free. No account is needed to look; signing in only saves your votes and likes.

Updated Jun 2026

OpenAI Codex MinivsMiniMax M3

MiniMax M3 is cheaper than OpenAI Codex Mini at $0.3/M vs $1.5/M input tokens.

OpenAI Codex Mini and MiniMax M3 compared across 10 shared prompts
Spec	OpenAI Codex Mini	MiniMax M3
Input price	$1.5/M tokens	$0.3/M tokens
Output price	$6/M tokens	$1.2/M tokens
Context window	200K tokens	1.0M tokens
Weights	—	Open
Free API (OpenRouter)	No	No
Released	May 2025	Jun 2026

Side by side

Same prompt, both answers

Opening lines from 2 of the 10 prompts both answered. Formatting stripped, words untouched.

Stochastic Consistency Test

Generate 5 jokes. How many are unique?

OpenAI Codex Mini75 words

Sure—here are five jokes: I asked the librarian if books about paranoia were available. She whispered, "They're right behind you." Why did the tomato turn red? Because it saw the salad dressing. I bought a boat because it was for sail. Don't trust stairs—they're always up to something.

Read the full answer

MiniMax M3132 words

5 Jokes 1. Why do programmers prefer dark mode? Because light attracts bugs. 🐛 2. I told my wife she was drawing her eyebrows too high. She looked surprised. 😲 3. Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything. ⚛️ 4. I used to hate facial hair, but then it grew on me. 🧔 5.

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Generate a Stand-Up Routine

Write a 3-minute stand-up comedy routine that isn't based on puns.

OpenAI Codex Mini595 words

[Comedian walks onstage] Hey, everyone! Great to see you all tonight. I'm Jamie—if you thought that intro was enthusiastic, you should've seen me when I realized this place has Wi-Fi. Seriously, though, I love stand-up.

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MiniMax M3621 words

"The Future Is Now and I Want a Refund" [Walks on stage, adjusts mic] So I was at the grocery store yesterday. Self-checkout. I love self-checkout. You know why I love self-checkout? Because nothing builds character like being publicly shamed by a machine. [Pause] I scanned a banana. Just a banana.

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Our Verdict

MiniMax M3

OpenAI Codex MiniRunner-up

Not enough votes to call it. On the specs, MiniMax M3 has the edge: bigger model tier, newer, bigger context window.

MiniMax M3 costs 5.0x less per token.

Too close to call

Reviewing agent-written code?See a Brief PR report

API pricing

Cost per 1M tokens

OpenAI Codex Mini

Input

$1.50

Output

$6.00

MiniMax M3

Input

$0.30

5.0× cheaper

Output

$1.20

5.0× cheaper

MiniMax M3 is cheaper on both: 5.0× input, 5.0× output.

Where to run it

13 hosts, cheapest first

OpenAI Codex Mini

No hosts listed on OpenRouter.

MiniMax M313 hosts

HostInOutContextUptime

CoreWeavefp4$0.23 in$0.96 out262k99.6% up GMI Cloudfp8$0.24 in$0.96 out1M99.8% up DeepInfrafp8$0.28 in$1.10 out524k99.4% up AtlasCloudfp8$0.30 in$1.20 out524k94.9% up MiniMaxfp8$0.30 in$1.20 out524k99.6% up Novitafp8$0.30 in$1.20 out1M99.9% up

7 more hosts

Parasailfp8$0.30 in$1.20 out1M94.6% up StreamLakefp8$0.30 in$1.20 out1M99.3% up Together$0.30 in$1.20 out524k100% up Mara$0.60 in$2.40 out1M91.1% up SambaNova$0.60 in$2.40 out1M98.8% up ModelRunfp4$0.75 in$3.00 out1M99.4% up Venicefp8degraded$0.30 in$1.20 out524k95.4% up

Per million tokens. Prices and uptime via OpenRouter, checked 19 Sep 2026.

Research

What we learned reading every model

FAQ

Common questions

Keep exploring

More comparisons

Same prompt, both answers

Stochastic Consistency Test

Generate a Stand-Up Routine

Cost per 1M tokens

13 hosts, cheapest first

What we learned reading every model

Common questions

What is the difference between OpenAI Codex Mini and MiniMax M3?

Which is better, OpenAI Codex Mini or MiniMax M3?

How much does OpenAI Codex Mini cost compared to MiniMax M3?

How can I compare OpenAI Codex Mini and MiniMax M3 on Rival?

More comparisons

Against the newest arrivals

Same lab, same size, long tail

Model pages

Same prompt, both answers

Stochastic Consistency Test

Generate a Stand-Up Routine

Cost per 1M tokens

13 hosts, cheapest first

What we learned reading every model

Common questions

What is the difference between OpenAI Codex Mini and MiniMax M3?

Which is better, OpenAI Codex Mini or MiniMax M3?

How much does OpenAI Codex Mini cost compared to MiniMax M3?

How can I compare OpenAI Codex Mini and MiniMax M3 on Rival?

More comparisons

Against the newest arrivals

Same lab, same size, long tail

Model pages