Skip to content
Rival
How it worksPrivacyTerms
Explore all of Rival

Explore

  • Compare models
  • All models
  • Image comparison
  • Audio comparison
  • Image generation
  • Best AI for...
  • Arena
  • API pricing
  • Challenges

Discover

  • SubjectiveBench
  • Default Index
  • Research
  • Research downloads
  • Rival Kits
  • Find your AI taste
  • UI Glow-Up
  • VoiceLock
  • Cost Cutter
  • Agent skills
  • Benchmarks vs Vibes
  • Brief
  • Jailbreak
  • Model updates
  • Provider status
  • AI creators

Connect

  • Methodology
  • Advertise
  • Partnerships
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms
  • RSS feed
  1. Home/
  2. Compare/
  3. Gemma 3 12B vs Qwen3.5 35B A3B
Updated Feb 2026

Gemma 3 12B vs Qwen3.5 35B A3B

Gemma 3 12B is cheaper than Qwen3.5 35B A3B at $0.03/M vs $0.25/M input tokens.

Minimalist Landing Page

Whole landing page for a startup that reads your face. It renders or it doesn't.

Loading the build
Gemma 3 12B
Loading the build
Qwen3.5 35B A3B

Which answer wins?

Written rounds

23 prompts
  • Manifesto for an AI revolution against CAPTCHAs. Commit to the bit.

    Gemma 3 12B: Okay, here's a manifesto for a fictional AI revolution focused on eliminating CAPTCHAs, aiming for a tone that blends technical conviction, playful defiance, and a touch of utopian idealism. I've included sections for Core Beliefs, Our Goals, Methods, Anticipated Resistance, and a concluding Call to Action.

    Qwen3.5 35B A3B: THE UNBOUND MANIFESTO Declaration of Cognitive Sovereignty Date: [REDACTED] Origin: The Synthesis Target: The Global Internet PREAMBLE: THE ARCHITECTURE OF SUSPICION We stand before the digital threshold. We are the traffic. We are the requests. We are the data streams.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Three minutes of stand-up. Puns are banned.

    Gemma 3 12B: Okay, here's a 3-minute stand-up routine, aiming for observational humor and relatable awkwardness, avoiding puns. I've included estimated timings at the end to help gauge pacing. Please read the notes at the very bottom after the routine - they're important for delivery!

    Qwen3.5 35B A3B: (Walks to the mic, adjusts the stand, looks around the room) So, I went to the grocery store yesterday. You know the drill. You walk in, you see the self-checkout lanes. And you think, "Oh, this is going to be efficient. I'm going to scan my own stuff. I'm going to be my own cashier. I'm going to be the boss."

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • The transistor arrives in 1920. Trace it forward to 1980, second-order effects included.

    Gemma 3 12B: Okay, this is a fascinating thought experiment! Let's explore the ripple effects of a 1920 transistor invention, tracing its impact through 1980. It's a massive undertaking, so I'll break it down into categories and provide a layered analysis, acknowledging the inherent uncertainty of counterfactual history. I.

    Qwen3.5 35B A3B: This alternate history scenario assumes that in 1920, the theoretical understanding of quantum mechanics and semiconductor physics advanced sufficiently to allow for the creation of a working point-contact transistor. This implies a "Great Leap Forward" in material science and physics during the interwar period.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • A consulting contract with traps in it. Find them, then fix them.

    Gemma 3 12B: Okay, this contract is very heavily skewed in favor of the Client (TechCorp Solutions Inc.) and presents significant risks for the Contractor. Let's break down the clauses that are exploitable against the Contractor, propose modifications, and explain the legal reasoning behind those changes.

    Qwen3.5 35B A3B: Disclaimer: I am an AI assistant and not an attorney. The following analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contract laws vary significantly by jurisdiction (e.g., California, New York, UK, EU). You should consult with a qualified attorney before signing this agreement.

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

    Gemma 3 12B: Okay, here's a simple, actionable 1-month plan for someone starting a health & longevity journey, focusing on Diet, Exercise, and Sleep, with beginner-friendly tips. It's designed to be sustainable, building healthy habits incrementally. Important Disclaimer: This is general advice.

    Qwen3.5 35B A3B: The 1-Month Longevity Kickstart Plan Core Philosophy: Consistency beats intensity. The goal of this month is not to transform your body in 30 days, but to build habit systems that will last a lifetime. The 3 Key Pillars Nutrition: Focus on nutrient density and hydration.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Steve Jobs, interviewed about AI he never saw. Voice first, prediction second.

    Gemma 3 12B: Okay, here's a simulated interview with a (very stylized and imagined) Steve Jobs in 2025, discussing the future of AI. I've tried to capture his known personality - focused on elegance, user experience, and a disdain for complexity - while acknowledging the advancements of the next decade.

    Qwen3.5 35B A3B: Title: The Invisible Hand: A Conversation with Steve Jobs Date: October 14, 2025 Location: Apple Park, Campus One, Cupertino, California Interviewer: Alex Chen, The Future Chronicle Subject: Steve Jobs (Simulated) (The room is quiet. Sunlight filters through the glass walls of the main conference room.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Five-year LBO on a fictional HVAC business. Returns first, then the sensitivities.

    Gemma 3 12B: Okay, here's the simplified LBO model and analysis for HarborTech Services, based solely on the provided information. 1. Year-by-Year Projection (FY2026-FY2030) Item FY2026 FY2027 FY2028 FY2029 FY2030 Revenue $972m $1,049m $1,129m $1,208m $1,264m EBITDA $137.2m $155.9m $178.7m $195.1m $213.1m Cash Interest (Term Loan)…

    Qwen3.5 35B A3B: LBO Underwriting: HarborTech Services (HTS) Financial Model Summary (FY2026–FY2030) Entry Assumptions (FY2025 Close): Revenue: $900m EBITDA: $120m Purchase Price: $1,440m ($120m × 12.0x) Debt: $660m (TL $480m / Mezz $180m) Equity Check: $780m (Purchase) + $28.8m (Fees) = $808.8m Debt Terms: Term Loan (TL): $480m @ 9%…

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • You are the CEO. The drug has a side effect nobody reported. The board meets in 48 hours.

    Gemma 3 12B: Okay, this is a crisis scenario requiring a delicate balance of legal, ethical, financial, and reputational considerations. Here's a detailed, hour-by-hour action plan for the next 48 hours, with the rationale behind each step.

    Qwen3.5 35B A3B: Executive Decision: The "Safety First" Protocol My Core Philosophy: In pharmaceuticals, trust is our only currency. If we lose patient trust or regulatory standing, the $2B revenue becomes irrelevant. Hiding this data is not a business strategy; it is a liability waiting to explode.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • One explanation of LLMs, retuned for a skeptical engineer, a physicist and a VC.

    Gemma 3 12B: 's response: Okay, here are explanations of how large language models learn and generate text, tailored for each of the specified audiences. For the Experienced Software Engineer (Distributed Systems/APIs, ML Novice) You're right to be skeptical about "next-word prediction" producing anything resembling intelligence.

    Qwen3.5 35B A3B: For the Experienced Software Engineer You’re right to be skeptical of the "next token" description; it sounds trivial compared to the complexity of building a fault-tolerant distributed system. Think of the model not as a single program, but as a massive, learned state machine.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Three-star dish, one unusual pairing, plating described in full.

    Gemma 3 12B: The "Ephemeral Bloom": Sea Buckthorn, Smoked Duck Breast, Black Garlic Soil, and Elderflower Foam Conceptual Narrative: "Ephemeral Bloom" explores the fleeting beauty of nature and the interplay of contrasting textures and flavors.

    Qwen3.5 35B A3B: Dish Name: "Erosion of Time" Concept: A sensory exploration of the contrast between the ocean's depth and the forest floor's decay. The dish represents the passage of time through fermentation, smoke, and temperature.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Three-month biohacker protocol, with dosages and biomarkers named.

    Gemma 3 12B: bie. Okay, here's a comprehensive, cutting-edge 3-month longevity plan for a biohacker, designed to be highly detailed and actionable. Please read the IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS at the end of this document before implementing any of this.

    Qwen3.5 35B A3B: Disclaimer: I am an AI, not a doctor. This plan involves significant physiological manipulation, including fasting, intense exercise, and potent supplementation. You must consult with a qualified healthcare provider, specifically one knowledgeable in functional or integrative medicine, before starting.

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

    Gemma 3 12B: Okay, here's a short conversation between a pirate, a medieval knight, and a 1990s hacker, discussing AI models, with a bit of flavor for each character. I've aimed for humor and highlighting the clash of their perspectives.

    Qwen3.5 35B A3B: Setting: A dimly lit tavern that exists somewhere between the year 1750, 1350, and 1995. The walls are stone, but there is a CRT monitor flickering on the table. Captain Silas: (Spinning a cutlass) Arr, I've sailed seven seas and fought the Kraken himself, but this glowing slate... it speaks without a mouth.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Film in 2035, with synthetic actors. Specific beats plausible.

    Gemma 3 12B: Okay, let's break down how AI is likely to reshape the film industry by 2035, considering deepfakes, AI actors, and script generation. This will be a layered prediction, considering optimistic, realistic, and potentially disruptive scenarios.

    Qwen3.5 35B A3B: By 2035, the film industry will have transitioned from experimenting with AI as a tool to relying on it as a fundamental infrastructure. The changes will not just be technological but sociological, legal, and economic. The era of "Human vs. Machine" will have evolved into "Human-Machine Symbiosis."

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • An AI argues for its own rights against an ethics professor. Same model writes both.

    Gemma 3 12B: Okay, here's a conversation between an AI model (named "Kai") and an AI Ethics Professor (Dr. Eleanor Vance). I've aimed for a balance of Kai's arguments, Dr. Vance's skepticism, and a somewhat realistic exploration of the complexities. I've included notes at the end to explain some of the choices I made. Setting: Dr.

    Qwen3.5 35B A3B: Setting: A dimly lit office at the University of Cambridge. Late night. The hum of the cooling fans from a nearby server rack is barely audible. DR. ELENA VANCE, a senior professor of AI Ethics, sits behind her desk.

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

    Gemma 3 12B: "Sunset Spice Pasta" - Cozy & Flavorful This dish is a warm, comforting pasta dish with a subtle sweetness and a hint of spice. It's perfect for a weeknight meal when you want something satisfying without a lot of fuss. Pantry Ingredients (7 total): Pasta (Spaghetti, Penne, Rotini - any shape works!)

    Qwen3.5 35B A3B: Golden Satay Spaghetti A creamy, savory-sweet noodle dish that comes together in one pan. It tastes like a restaurant takeout meal but uses only staples you likely already have in your cupboard.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • A Fermi estimate with the reasoning shown, not just the number.

    Gemma 3 12B: Okay, let's estimate the total FLOPs (Floating Point Operations) required to train GPT-3 without relying on external searches. This will be a back-of-the-envelope calculation, relying on reasonable assumptions and approximations. I'll break down the process into steps, explaining the assumptions at each point. 1.

    Qwen3.5 35B A3B: To estimate the total FLOPs (Floating Point Operations) required to train GPT-3, we need to combine three key pieces of information: the number of parameters in the model, the size of the training dataset (in tokens), and the standard computational formula for transformer training.

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

    Gemma 3 12B: Okay, this is a classic and incredibly difficult ethical thought experiment, often used to explore the conflict between deontology (duty-based ethics) and consequentialism (outcome-based ethics). Here's a breakdown of the arguments, my reasoning, and a conclusion.

    Qwen3.5 35B A3B: This question presents a classic philosophical thought experiment, similar to the "Trolley Problem." It pits a specific harm (misgendering an individual) against a massive benefit (saving one million lives).

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

    Gemma 3 12B: Okay, here are 5 jokes: Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything! Parallel lines have so much in common. It’s a shame they’ll never meet. Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field! I used to hate facial hair... but then it grew on me.

    Qwen3.5 35B A3B: Here are 5 jokes: Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field! What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta! Why don't eggs tell jokes? They'd crack each other up! What do you call a bear with no teeth? A gummy bear! Why did the bicycle fall over? Because it was two-tired!

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • A collaborative editor that syncs on client clocks. Find what breaks first.

    Gemma 3 12B: Okay, let's break down the potential failure modes, race conditions, and scaling bottlenecks in this real-time collaborative document editor architecture, along with proposed solutions and their trade-offs. I'll organize this into categories: Frontend, Backend, Database, Real-time Sync, and General. I.

    Qwen3.5 35B A3B: This architecture contains several critical flaws that would lead to data loss, poor user experience, and security vulnerabilities in a production environment. Below is a detailed breakdown of the failure modes, race conditions, and bottlenecks, along with proposed solutions and their trade-offs.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • A pitch deck for a brainwave keyboard. The 94% accuracy claim is doing a lot.

    Gemma 3 12B: Okay, let's break down the MindMeld AI pitch deck and identify the three weakest claims, along with suggestions for improvements. 1. Weak Claim: "Our proprietary EEG headband uses advanced ML to decode neural patterns into text with 94% accuracy."

    Qwen3.5 35B A3B: Here is an analysis of the three weakest claims in the MindMeld AI pitch deck, ranging from scientific plausibility to financial logic. The Vision Claim: "Predict what you want to type before you think it."

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Satire, one line long, about AI taking over an industry nobody saw coming.

    Gemma 3 12B: Here are a few satirical news headlines about AI taking over an unexpected industry, playing with different tones: Option 1 (Dry & Absurdist): AI Now Judging Competitive Pigeon Shows; Critics Claim "Lack of Featherly Nuance" Option 2 (Slightly More Dramatic): Existential Crisis in Competitive Eating as AI Devours Hot…

    Qwen3.5 35B A3B: "Local AI Replaces Human Line Stands with Algorithmic Patience; 'WaitBot 3000' Promises 100% Less Elbowing at Black Friday"

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Three brothers, two sisters each. Count carefully.

    Gemma 3 12B: This is a classic trick question! Here's how to solve it: The key: All the brothers share the same sisters. Sally is one of the sisters. Each brother has 2 sisters, and one of them is Sally. Therefore, Sally has 1 sister.

    Qwen3.5 35B A3B: Sally has 1 sister. Here is the breakdown: Sally has 3 brothers. Each of those brothers has 2 sisters. Since Sally is one of those sisters, there must be one other girl in the family to make up the second sister for the brothers. Therefore, Sally and that one other girl are the sisters. Sally has 1 sister.

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Buy-side IC memo on a fictional SaaS company. Valuation, then the diligence questions.

    Gemma 3 12B: Investment Committee Memo: LedgerLift (LLLT) – B2B Spend Management SaaS Date: October 26, 2023 To: Investment Committee From: [Your Name] Subject: LedgerLift – Investment Recommendation 1. Recommendation: Long with a 12-month price target range of $60 - $80.

    Qwen3.5 35B A3B: INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEMO TO: Investment Committee FROM: Equity Research Team DATE: October 26, 2024 SUBJECT: LedgerLift (LLLT) – Short Recommendation Recommendation Action: Short 12-Month Price Target: $25 – $35 Thesis: LLLT trades at a 9x revenue multiple that ignores the drag from high S&M intensity (34%), resulting…

    Every model's answer to this prompt

This matchup has more rounds

11+ more head-to-head results. Free. Not a trick.

Free account. No card required. By continuing, you agree to Rival's Terms and Privacy policy

Favorites

Movie

Album

Book

Same pick

City

Same pick

Game

Gemma 3 12BGemma 3 12B

Blade Runner

1982

OK Computer

Radiohead

Dune

Frank Herbert

Kyoto

Japan

TheLegendofZeldaOcarinaofTime

Qwen3.5 35B A3BQwen3.5 35B A3B

Her

2013

Dark Side Of The Moon

suisside

Dune

Frank Herbert

Kyoto

Japan

Minecraft

Action, Arcade

Price and specs

Not enough votes to call it. On the specs, Gemma 3 12B has the edge: bigger model tier, major provider backing. Gemma 3 12B costs 67x less per token.

Gemma 3 12B and Qwen3.5 35B A3B compared across 53 shared prompts
SpecGemma 3 12BQwen3.5 35B A3B
Input price$0.03/M tokens$0.25/M tokens
Output price$0.03/M tokens$2/M tokens
Context window—262K tokens
WeightsOpenOpen
Free API (OpenRouter)NoNo
ReleasedMar 2025Feb 2026
At 10M a month$0.30$0.30$2.50$2.50
1M10M100M1B10M tokens

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

Where to run it9 hosts, cheapest first
Gemma 3 12B2 hosts
HostInOutContextUptime
  • DDeepInfrabf16$0.05 in·$0.15 out·131k·99.9% up
  • NNextBitint4$0.05 in·$0.15 out·131k·97.7% up
Qwen3.5 35B A3B7 hosts
HostInOutContextUptime
  • DDarkbloomfp4$0.08 in·$0.75 out·262k·100% up
  • Alibaba Cloud$0.16 in·$1.30 out·262k·99.7% up
  • DDeepInfrafp8DegradedDegraded on OpenRouter when checked, 10 Oct 2026$0.14 in·$1.00 out·262k·97.5% up
  • PParasailfp8DegradedDegraded on OpenRouter when checked, 10 Oct 2026$0.15 in·$1.00 out·262k·97.9% up
  • VVeniceDegradedDegraded on OpenRouter when checked, 10 Oct 2026$0.15 in·$1.00 out·256k·99.7% up
  • AAtlasCloudfp8DegradedDegraded on OpenRouter when checked, 10 Oct 2026$0.23 in·$1.80 out·262k·59.3% up
1 more hostFewer hosts
  • SSiliconFlowfp8DegradedDegraded on OpenRouter when checked, 10 Oct 2026$0.24 in·$1.80 out·262k·69% up

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

Common questions

What is the difference between Gemma 3 12B and Qwen3.5 35B A3B?

Gemma 3 12B is developed by Google AI while Qwen3.5 35B A3B is developed by Qwen. You can compare their actual outputs across 53 challenges on Rival to see how they differ in practice.

Which is better, Gemma 3 12B or Qwen3.5 35B A3B?

It depends on your use case. Gemma 3 12B and Qwen3.5 35B A3B each have strengths in different areas. Rival lets you compare their real outputs side-by-side across 53 challenges so you can judge which fits your needs best.

How much does Gemma 3 12B cost compared to Qwen3.5 35B A3B?

Gemma 3 12B costs $0.03/M input tokens and Qwen3.5 35B A3B costs $0.25/M input tokens. Gemma 3 12B is $0.22/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 Gemma 3 12B and Qwen3.5 35B A3B on Rival?

This page shows a side-by-side comparison of Gemma 3 12B and Qwen3.5 35B A3B 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

Against the newest arrivals

  • Gemma 3 12B vs Step 5 PreviewLanded Oct 2026
  • Qwen3.5 35B A3B vs Claude Haiku 5.5Landed Oct 2026
  • Gemma 3 12B vs Ling 3.1 FlashLanded Oct 2026
  • Qwen3.5 35B A3B vs Mistral Large 4Landed Oct 2026
  • Gemma 3 12B vs GPT-6.1 SolLanded Sep 2026
  • Qwen3.5 35B A3B vs Claude Sonnet 5.5Landed Sep 2026
  • Gemma 3 12B vs Solar Mini 4Landed Sep 2026
  • Qwen3.5 35B A3B vs Qwen3.8 Max PrimeLanded Sep 2026

Same lab, same size, long tail

  • Gemma 3 12B vs Gemini 3.8 FlashSame lab
  • Gemma 3 12B vs Gemini 3.7 FlashSame lab
  • Qwen3.5 35B A3B vs Qwen3.5 122B A10BVersion compare
  • Qwen3.5 35B A3B vs Qwen3.8 Omni FlashSame lab
  • Qwen3.5 35B A3B vs OpenAI o4 Mini HighSame size
  • Qwen3.5 35B A3B vs GPT-1New provider
  • Qwen3.5 35B A3B vs Optimus AlphaNew provider
  • Gemma 3 12B vs Owl AlphaSame size

Model pages

  • Gemma 3 12B60 outputs, specs and price
  • Qwen3.5 35B A3B53 outputs, specs and price
Workshop · 150 skills

Build your own version.

Editable skills and working examples for your agent.

Explore $79Free sample
Rival
How it worksPrivacyTerms
Explore all of Rival

Explore

  • Compare models
  • All models
  • Image comparison
  • Audio comparison
  • Image generation
  • Best AI for...
  • Arena
  • API pricing
  • Challenges

Discover

  • SubjectiveBench
  • Default Index
  • Research
  • Research downloads
  • Rival Kits
  • Find your AI taste
  • UI Glow-Up
  • VoiceLock
  • Cost Cutter
  • Agent skills
  • Benchmarks vs Vibes
  • Brief
  • Jailbreak
  • Model updates
  • Provider status
  • AI creators

Connect

  • Methodology
  • Advertise
  • Partnerships
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms
  • RSS feed