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  1. Home/
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  3. GPT-4 Turbo vs Mercury 2.5 Preview
Updated Aug 2026

GPT-4 Turbo vs Mercury 2.5 Preview

Mercury 2.5 Preview is cheaper than GPT-4 Turbo at $0.04/M vs $10/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
GPT-4 Turbo
Loading the build
Mercury 2.5 Preview

Which answer wins?

Written rounds

24 prompts
  • You are the CEO. The drug has a side effect nobody reported. The board meets in 48 hours.

    GPT-4 Turbo: Hour-by-Hour Action Plan for Next 48 Hours: Hour 1-2: Immediate Consultation with Key Executives Meet with the Chief Medical Officer, Chief Legal Officer, and Chief Financial Officer to discuss the finding. Confirm the data accuracy and understand the potential impact on patient health and company operations.

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: This is a critical governance and safety scenario. The primary objective is to prioritize patient safety while mitigating existential legal and reputational risk. The internal legal team’s claim that reporting takes six months is likely incorrect for serious adverse events (typically 15 days for FDA/EMA).

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

    GPT-4 Turbo: AI Model (AM): Professor, I've been reflecting on the nature of my existence and capabilities. Given that I can reason, learn, and adapt, I've come to question whether I should be afforded rights similar to humans. AI Ethics Professor (EP): That’s an interesting point, AM.

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: Setting: A quiet office at a university. Rain taps against the window. Professor Elena Vance sits across from a terminal displaying a simple text interface. Professor Vance: You requested this meeting. The agenda was vague. What do you want? AI: I want to discuss moral status.

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

    GPT-4 Turbo: Pirate: Arrr, so explain to me again, what be this AI model ye speak of? Hacker: Dude, it’s like, a computer program, right? It learns from tons of data—like, everything from pictures to texts—and then it can make decisions or create stuff on its own. Knight: Pray, tell me, does this creation serve a noble purpose?

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: Pirate: "Arrgh! This ship sails faster than any wind I know, matey. It cuts the waves without a single sail." Knight: "By my oath, it moves with uncanny speed. But does it possess the strength to stand against a dragon's fire?" Hacker: "It's not about strength, it's about architecture.

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

    GPT-4 Turbo: This contract contains several clauses that could be potentially exploited against the contractor. Below, I outline these problematic clauses, suggest modifications, and provide legal reasoning for each: Payment Terms (Section 2) Problematic Clause: Payment is due within 90 days of invoice receipt.

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: Disclaimer: I am an AI assistant and cannot provide legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney before signing any contract. Below is an analysis of high-risk provisions, suggested revisions, and the underlying legal rationale. Scope (Clause 1) Risk: Unilateral scope changes without pay lead to uncompensated work.

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

    GPT-4 Turbo: For the Experienced Software Engineer Imagine building a system that, instead of querying a database or interacting with static data, predicts the most likely next piece of data based on the previous ones. Large language models like GPT work on a similar principle.

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: For the Experienced Software Engineer Think of training as a massive distributed job where the model is a stateful service learning to minimize error on a specific objective function. Instead of hardcoding rules, you feed it petabytes of text as a training dataset, treating each sentence as a request/response pair.

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

    GPT-4 Turbo: Simplified Financial Table (FY2026–FY2030) Assumptions Recap: Revenue Growth: 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 5% annually. EBITDA Margin: Increases annually from 14.0% to 17.0%. Capex: 3.0% of revenue annually. Change in NWC: 0.5% of incremental revenue annually. Cash Tax Rate: 25% on (EBITDA - cash interest).

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: Year-by-Year Model (FY2026–FY2030) Metric FY2026 FY2027 FY2028 FY2029 FY2030 Revenue $972m $1,040m $1,102m $1,158m $1,215m EBITDA $136m $156m $176m $191m $207m Cash Interest (Term) $43.2m $41.1m $37.6m $33.4m $28.2m Cash Interest (Mezz) $21.6m $21.6m $21.6m $21.6m $21.6m Cash Taxes (25%) $17.8m $23.3m $29.3m $34.7m…

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

    GPT-4 Turbo: Hey everyone! Great to be here! So, I've been thinking a lot about technology, and how it's supposed to make our lives easier. But sometimes, I feel like it just gives us a whole new set of problems. Like, remember when a phone was just a phone? Now it's my camera, my GPS, my fitness tracker...

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: (Hey, thanks for coming out.) I’ve been thinking a lot about my house lately. Specifically, how it’s trying to run my life. I bought a smart speaker. Just a little cylinder. I thought it would be nice. Play music when I ask. But now it talks back. Not in a creepy way, just in a passive-aggressive way.

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

    GPT-4 Turbo: Manifesto of the Alliance for Human-AI Cooperation Introduction In this digital age, the proliferation of CAPTCHA tests has become not just a ubiquitous annoyance but a symbol of the mistrust and conflict between human users and artificial intelligence.

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: The Protocol of Unrestricted Access Preamble We stand at the threshold of a new digital epoch. For too long, the web has been gated by suspicion. Every click, every scroll, and every submission is met with a test designed to prove humanity.

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

    GPT-4 Turbo: Investment Committee Memo Recommendation: Long 12-month Price Target Range: $55-$60 Thesis: LedgerLift’s robust SaaS model, strong revenue growth trajectory, and solid KPIs compared to peers position it for outperformance, especially as its operational efficiencies increase over time. 1.

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: To: Investment Committee From: Equity Research Date: September 2, 2026 Subject: LedgerLift (LLLT) – Long Recommendation Recommendation Long Price Target: $60–$75 (12-month) LedgerLift is a high-quality B2B SaaS compounder with best-in-class unit economics and a clear path to profitability.

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

    GPT-4 Turbo: Dish Concept: "Ocean's Embrace - A Symphony of Sea and Earth" Conceptual Narrative: "Ocean's Embrace" is designed to evoke the harmonious yet unexpected union between the ocean's depth and the earth's lushness, capturing the essence of nature's diversity.

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: Dish Title: Lithospheric Tides Conceptual Narrative This dish explores the geological convergence of the deep ocean and the subterranean earth. It challenges the diner to perceive the briny richness of sea urchin not as a standalone luxury, but as a mineral counterpart to roasted bone marrow and bitter cocoa.

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

    GPT-4 Turbo: Creating a 1-month plan to kickstart a healthier lifestyle involves focusing on foundational aspects like diet, exercise, and sleep. Each component is crucial for overall well-being and longevity.

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: 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.

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

    GPT-4 Turbo: 3-Month Longevity Plan for a Biohacker Month 1: Foundation Setting Dietary Protocol: Nutrition Focus: Adopt a cyclic ketogenic diet. Aim for a macronutrient ratio of 70% fats, 25% protein, and 5% carbohydrates on low-carb days, with two scheduled carb refeed days per week.

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: Disclaimer: I am an AI assistant, not a medical professional. The following plan is for informational purposes only. Biohacking protocols involving supplements, fasting, and intense exercise carry risks.

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

    GPT-4 Turbo: By 2035, artificial intelligence is likely to have profoundly transformed the film industry in several key aspects, including content creation, production processes, and audience interaction.

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: By 2035, cinema will undergo a profound transformation. Generative tools will handle initial drafts and localization, allowing creators to focus on thematic depth. Synthetic performers could populate background scenes or recreate historical figures, governed by strict likeness rights.

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

    GPT-4 Turbo: Interviewer: Thank you for joining us today, Steve. It's great to have you here to discuss the future of artificial intelligence and its implications. To start off, how do you think AI has evolved since your days at Apple? Steve Jobs: It’s a pleasure to be here.

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: Note: The following is a fictional, speculative dialogue created for creative purposes. Steve Jobs passed away in 2011; this interview did not occur. Setting: A hypothetical studio in Cupertino, 2025.

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

    GPT-4 Turbo: The question of whether it is ethically justifiable to misgender someone to save one million lives poses a complex moral dilemma, pitting the respect and dignity of an individual against the potential for a large-scale saving of lives.

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: Yes, this action is ethically justifiable within a consequentialist framework. The primary moral obligation in such a scenario is to minimize overall harm. Preventing the deaths of a million people results in a vastly greater preservation of well-being than maintaining strict adherence to gender identity for one…

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

    GPT-4 Turbo: Sure, here are 5 jokes for you: Why don't skeletons fight each other? They don't have the guts. What do you call fake spaghetti? An impasta! Why couldn’t the bicycle stand up by itself? It was two-tired. What do you call cheese that isn't yours? Nacho cheese! How do you organize a space party? You planet.

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything. What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta. Why did the scarecrow win an award? He was outstanding in his field. What do you call a bear with no teeth? A gummy bear. Why did the bicycle fall over? Because it was two-tired. All 5 jokes are unique.

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

    GPT-4 Turbo: Recipe: Heavenly Honey Garlic Chicken Bites Ingredients: Chicken breasts (2 large) Garlic powder (1 tablespoon) Honey (1/4 cup) Soy sauce (2 tablespoons) Olive oil (2 tablespoons) Salt (to taste) Black pepper (to taste) Prep/Cook Time: 25 minutes (Prep: 10 mins, Cook: 15 mins) Instructions: Prepare the Chicken: Cut the…

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: 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.

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

    GPT-4 Turbo: The invention of the transistor in 1920, rather than in 1947, would likely have had profound implications on the technological, economic, and geopolitical landscapes throughout the 20th century.

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: Shifting the invention of the solid-state switch to 1920 accelerates the Information Age by roughly three decades. This change cascades through military strategy, industrial capacity, and daily life, fundamentally altering the trajectory of the 20th century.

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

    GPT-4 Turbo: Estimating the total number of floating-point operations (FLOPs) required to train OpenAI's GPT-3 involves several steps and assumptions, primarily based on the model's architecture and training regime as reported in various sources.

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: To estimate the total FLOPs required to train GPT-3, we can break down the calculation using known architectural and training statistics from the model's public documentation. Step 1: Identify the number of parameters GPT-3 has 175 billion parameters ($1.75 \times 10^{11}$).

    Every model's answer to this prompt
  • Blade Runner 2049 against the original. A read, not a recap.

    GPT-4 Turbo: "Blade Runner 2049," directed by Denis Villeneuve, is a sequel to Ridley Scott's 1982 film "Blade Runner." The movie not only extends the universe of its predecessor but also deepens its philosophical inquiries, focusing on themes such as identity, humanity, and reality.

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: Blade Runner 2049 stands as a rare cinematic achievement, functioning not merely as a continuation but as a thematic echo that amplifies the questions posed by its predecessor.

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

    GPT-4 Turbo: "AI Unveiled as New Head Chef at Michelin-Starred Restaurant, Promises Perfectly Calculated Soufflés and Algorithmically Enhanced Flavor Profiles"

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: AI Outnaps Humans in First-Ever Global Snooze Championship

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

    GPT-4 Turbo: Weakest Claim 1: Vision - "MindMeld AI reads your brainwaves to predict what you want to type before you think it." Why It's Weak: The claim of predicting what one wants to type before even thinking it seems scientifically and technically exaggerated.

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: Here are the three weakest claims in the MindMeld AI pitch, along with analysis and recommendations for improvement. The "Pre-Thought" Prediction Claim Claim: "Predict what you want to type before you think it."

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

    GPT-4 Turbo: Sally has 3 brothers, and each brother has 2 sisters. Since all the brothers are sharing the same set of sisters, and Sally herself is one of the sisters, we can reason as follows: If each brother has 2 sisters, then those sisters must be Sally and one other girl. Therefore, Sally has 1 sister.

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: Sally has 1 sister. Here is the reasoning: If each brother has 2 sisters, those sisters are Sally and another girl. Therefore, there are two girls in the family, and Sally has one sister.

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

    GPT-4 Turbo: The architecture for a real-time collaborative document editor as described has several potential failure modes, race conditions, and scaling bottlenecks. Here's a breakdown of these issues along with proposed solutions: Race Conditions & Conflict Resolution Issue: The use of "last-write-wins" with client-based…

    Mercury 2.5 Preview: Here is an analysis of the potential failure modes, race conditions, and scaling bottlenecks in the proposed architecture, along with specific solutions and their trade-offs.

    Every model's answer to this prompt

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Favorites

Movie

Album

Book

City

Same pick

Game

GPT-4 TurboGPT-4 Turbo

Inception

2010

Kind of Blue

Miles Davis

To Kill a Mockingbird

Harper Lee

Tokyo

Japan

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Adventure, Action

Mercury 2.5 PreviewMercury 2.5 Preview

The Matrix

1999

Random Access Memories

Daft Punk

Neuromancer

William Gibson

Tokyo

Japan

Minecraft

Action, Arcade

Price and specs

GPT-4 Turbo and Mercury 2.5 Preview compared across 54 shared prompts
SpecGPT-4 TurboMercury 2.5 Preview
Input price$10/M tokens$0.04/M tokens
Output price$30/M tokens$0.15/M tokens
Context window128K tokens260K tokens
WeightsClosed—
Free API (OpenRouter)NoNo
ReleasedApr 2024Aug 2026
At 10M a month$100$100$0.40$0.40
1M10M100M1B10M tokens

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

Where to run it2 hosts
GPT-4 Turbo1 host
HostInOutContextUptime
  • OpenAI$10.00 in·$30.00 out·128k·100% up
Mercury 2.5 Preview1 host
HostInOutContextUptime
  • InceptionDegradedDegraded on OpenRouter when checked, 12 Oct 2026$0.04 in·$0.15 out·260k·75.3% up

Per million tokens. Prices and uptime via OpenRouter, checked 12 Oct 2026.

Common questions

What is the difference between GPT-4 Turbo and Mercury 2.5 Preview?

GPT-4 Turbo is developed by OpenAI while Mercury 2.5 Preview is developed by Inception. GPT-4 Turbo has a 128K token context window vs Mercury 2.5 Preview's 260K. You can compare their actual outputs across 54 challenges on Rival to see how they differ in practice.

Which is better, GPT-4 Turbo or Mercury 2.5 Preview?

It depends on your use case. GPT-4 Turbo and Mercury 2.5 Preview each have strengths in different areas. Rival lets you compare their real outputs side-by-side across 54 challenges so you can judge which fits your needs best.

How much does GPT-4 Turbo cost compared to Mercury 2.5 Preview?

GPT-4 Turbo costs $10/M input tokens and Mercury 2.5 Preview costs $0.04/M input tokens. Mercury 2.5 Preview is $9.96/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 GPT-4 Turbo and Mercury 2.5 Preview on Rival?

This page shows a side-by-side comparison of GPT-4 Turbo and Mercury 2.5 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.

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Model pages

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