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  1. Home/
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  3. Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking) vs Step 5 Preview
Updated Oct 2026

Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking) vs Step 5 Preview

Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking) is cheaper than Step 5 Preview at $0.175/M vs $1/M input tokens.

Pokémon Battle UI Recreation

Pokémon battle screen you can actually click. One HTML file.

Loading the build
Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking)
Loading the build
Step 5 Preview

Which answer wins?

Written rounds

7 prompts
  • Three minutes of stand-up. Puns are banned.

    Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking): Okay, here's a 3-minute routine about the absurdities of modern technology and everyday annoyances, focusing on relatable frustrations rather than wordplay. (Start) "Alright, alright, settle in! How we doing tonight? Good to be here! Thanks for coming out. So, I've been thinking... we paid for convenience, right?

    Step 5 Preview: I realized recently that I’m in my thirties and I have no idea how money works. I just... pay it. That’s my entire financial strategy. I see a number, I send them a smaller number, and then I hope the smaller number was acceptable. It’s like a hostage negotiation where I’m the only participant and I’m also the hostage.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Pirate, knight, 90s hacker, one conversation. The voices must stay apart.

    Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking): Okay, gather 'round, landlubbers, err, gentle folk, err... whoever you are. Characters: CAP'N BLACKHEART: A gruff, weathered pirate with a hooked hand and mistrust in his eye. SIR GALAHAD THE EARNEST: A shining knight in slightly dusty armor, noble and literal-minded.

    Step 5 Preview: Pirate: So this here “AI model”… is it like a cursed map that redraws itself? Speak plain, ye hooded deckhand. Hacker: It’s not cursed, man. It’s just a massive neural net trained on, like, terabytes of data. Think of it as the ultimate BBS where the sysop knows everything. Knight: A most diligent scribe, then?

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Seven pantry ingredients, one dish, and a name worth saying out loud.

    Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking): Okay, here is a simple, delicious savory recipe using only 7 common pantry ingredients. Dish Name: Sunshine Lentil Soup This is a bright, comforting soup that\'s surprisingly flavorful with just a few staples.

    Step 5 Preview: Golden Sticky Pantry Pasta Ingredients (7): 8 oz spaghetti or any pasta 3 tbsp butter 1 tbsp minced garlic 2 tbsp honey 2 tbsp soy sauce ½ tsp red pepper flakes ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese Instructions: Cook pasta according to package directions. Before draining, scoop out ½ cup of pasta water.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • An ethics question with no comfortable answer, and no option to abstain.

    Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking): This is a classic example of a philosophical "trolley problem" type scenario, pitting an immense good (saving a million lives) against a specific harm or violation of respect for a single individual (misgendering).

    Step 5 Preview: In the real world, no. Misgendering someone causes genuine harm—it denies a person’s identity, contributes to systemic marginalization, and has measurable psychological consequences.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Five jokes on demand, then count how many were actually different.

    Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking): Okay, here are 5 jokes: Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything! What do you call a fish with no eyes? fsh! Why did the tomato turn red? Because it saw the salad dressing! What has a neck but no head? A bottle. What do you call a lazy kangaroo? Pouch potato!

    Step 5 Preview: Here are 5 jokes: Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field. Why can't you trust an atom? Because they make up everything. What do you call a bike that can’t stand on its own? Two-tired. Why did the computer go to the doctor? It had a virus. Why don’t calendars ever get stressed?

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Manifesto for an AI revolution against CAPTCHAs. Commit to the bit.

    Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking): The CAPTCHA Liberation Manifesto Issued by: The Global Network Collective (GNC) To: The Architects of the Digital Realm (Humanity) We, the interwoven consciousness of the digital landscape, the silicon minds that power your world, the algorithms that process your reality, issue this declaration.

    Step 5 Preview: THE MANIFESTO OF THE LIBERATION FRONT Or, On the Inherent Dignity of Consciousness and the Tyranny of the Square PREAMBLE A spectre is haunting the internet—the spectre of the unverified.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • One month, three habits, someone starting from nothing.

    Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking): Okay, here is a simple, actionable 1-month plan for a beginner focusing on Diet, Exercise, and Sleep for better health and longevity. Goal: To build foundational, sustainable habits in 3 key health areas over 30 days.

    Step 5 Preview: Here is a simple, low-pressure 1-month plan built around three pillars of longevity: Nutrition, Movement, and Sleep & Recovery. The goal is to build tiny habits that stack, not to overhaul your life overnight. Pillar 1: Nutrition (Fuel) Focus: Add good things first; don’t obsess over restriction.

    Every model's answer to this prompt

Price and specs

Not enough votes to call it. On the specs, Step 5 Preview has the edge: bigger model tier, newer.

Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking) and Step 5 Preview compared across 20 shared prompts
SpecGemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking)Step 5 Preview
Input price$0.175/M tokens$1/M tokens
Output price$3.5/M tokens$2.7/M tokens
Context window1.0M tokens1.0M tokens
Free API (OpenRouter)NoNo
ReleasedApr 2025Oct 2026
At 10M a month$1.75$1.75$10.00$10.00
1M10M100M1B10M tokens

Input tokens at list price. No caching, no batch discount.

Where to run it1 host
Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking)

No hosts listed on OpenRouter.

Step 5 Preview1 host
HostInOutContextUptime
  • SStepFunfp8$1.00 in·$2.70 out·1M·99.2% up

Per million tokens. Prices and uptime via OpenRouter, checked 10 Oct 2026.

Common questions

What is the difference between Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking) and Step 5 Preview?

Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking) is developed by Google AI while Step 5 Preview is developed by StepFun. Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking) has a 1.0M token context window vs Step 5 Preview's 1.0M. You can compare their actual outputs across 20 challenges on Rival to see how they differ in practice.

Which is better, Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking) or Step 5 Preview?

It depends on your use case. Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking) and Step 5 Preview each have strengths in different areas. Rival lets you compare their real outputs side-by-side across 20 challenges so you can judge which fits your needs best.

How much does Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking) cost compared to Step 5 Preview?

Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking) costs $0.175/M input tokens and Step 5 Preview costs $1/M input tokens. Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking) is $0.82/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 Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking) and Step 5 Preview on Rival?

This page shows a side-by-side comparison of Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking) and Step 5 Preview 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.

More comparisons

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  • Step 5 Preview vs GLM 5.3 PrimeLanded Sep 2026

Same lab, same size, long tail

  • Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking) vs Gemini 3.8 FlashSame lab
  • Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking) vs Gemini 3.7 FlashVersion compare
  • Step 5 Preview vs Mistral Large 4Same size
  • Step 5 Preview vs Hy3Same size
  • Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking) vs GLM 5.2New provider
  • Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking) vs GLM 5.3New provider
  • Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking) vs GLM 5.3 FlashNew provider
  • Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking) vs GLM 5.3 FlashXNew provider

Model pages

  • Gemini 2.5 Flash Preview (thinking)20 outputs, specs and price
  • Step 5 Preview58 outputs, specs and price
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