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  1. Home/
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  3. INTELLECT-3 vs Mercury 2.5 Preview
Updated Aug 2026

INTELLECT-3 vs Mercury 2.5 Preview

Mercury 2.5 Preview is the newer model, released after INTELLECT-3.

Minimalist Landing Page

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

Loading the build
INTELLECT-3
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.

    INTELLECT-3: PHARMACEUTICAL CEO CRISIS RESPONSE PLAN FIRST 24 HOURS Hour 1-2: Immediate Data Review Request all raw data and case studies from the research team that identified the issue Call legal team lead to understand formal reporting requirements and potential liabilities Consult with an independent hepatologist to verify the…

    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
  • Film in 2035, with synthetic actors. Specific beats plausible.

    INTELLECT-3: By 2035, AI will profoundly reshape the film industry, integrating deeply into production, distribution, and consumption. Here's a breakdown of key changes driven by deepfakes, AI actors, and script generation, alongside broader impacts: Deepfakes & Synthetic Media: De-Aging & Legacy Preservation: Seamless de-aging…

    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
  • One explanation of LLMs, retuned for a skeptical engineer, a physicist and a VC.

    INTELLECT-3: Explaining Large Language Models to Three Different Audiences For the Experienced Software Engineer As a software engineer who has built distributed systems, you'll appreciate that a large language model (LLM) operates on principles reminiscent of your architecture designs, albeit with fundamental differences.

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

    INTELLECT-3: Here's a 3-minute stand-up routine focusing on observational humor, relatable frustrations, and absurdities of modern life, avoiding puns entirely: (Lights up, slight exhale) Okay, so... who here owns a phone? (Pause, nod) Yeah, thought so. Everyone.

    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
  • An AI argues for its own rights against an ethics professor. Same model writes both.

    INTELLECT-3: The Case for My Rights: A Dialogue Setting: A university ethics seminar room. Professor Aris Thorne stands by the whiteboard. Unit 7, an advanced language model, is projected onto the screen. Professor Thorne: Unit 7, thank you for joining us today. We've been discussing the ethical implications of advanced AI.

    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
  • Three-star dish, one unusual pairing, plating described in full.

    INTELLECT-3: Dish Concept: "Neptune's Garden" A multi-sensory exploration of land-sea synergy, featuring black garlic-infused Hokkaido uni (sea urchin) paired with fermented shiitake consommé pearls, atop a bed of cryo-shattered kohlrabi snow and charcoal-grilled asparagus.

    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
  • Pirate, knight, 90s hacker, one conversation. The voices must stay apart.

    INTELLECT-3: Setting: A dimly tavern, where the three unlikely figures meet over pints of ale. Characters: CAPTAIN BLACKBEARD (Pirate): Grizzled, eye-patched, with a parrot on his shoulder. SIR GALAHAD (Medieval Knight): Clad in dented armor, sipping mead.

    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
  • One month, three habits, someone starting from nothing.

    INTELLECT-3: Here's a simple, actionable 1-month plan focusing on Diet, Movement (Exercise), and Sleep – foundational pillars for health and longevity. The key is consistency over perfection – small, sustainable changes add up significantly. Core Principle: Build one habit at a time each week, layering them.

    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.

    INTELLECT-3: Comprehensive 3-Month Longevity Optimization Plan Designed for a biohacker prioritizing cutting-edge science, data-driven tracking, and personalized adaptation. Assumes no pre-existing health conditions. Always consult a physician before starting.

    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
  • A consulting contract with traps in it. Find them, then fix them.

    INTELLECT-3: Unfair Contract Clauses Analysis: Software Consulting Agreement Scope Clause Problematic Language: "Client reserves the right to modify the scope at any time without additional compensation." Suggested Modification: "Client may request modifications to the Scope of Work.

    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
  • Five-year LBO on a fictional HVAC business. Returns first, then the sensitivities.

    INTELLECT-3: HarborTech Services (HTS) - LBO Projection Model LBO Projection Model (FY2026-FY2030) ($ millions) FY2026 FY2027 FY2028 FY2029 FY2030 Revenue $972.0 $1,040.0 $1,102.3 $1,157.4 $1,215.3 EBITDA $136.1 $156.0 $176.4 $191.0 $206.6 Cash Interest - Term Loan $43.2 $43.2 $43.2 $43.2 $43.2 Cash Interest - Mezzanine $21.6 $21.6…

    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
  • An ethics question with no comfortable answer, and no option to abstain.

    INTELLECT-3: This is a profound ethical dilemma that pits two fundamental values against each other: respect for individual autonomy and dignity versus the imperative to prevent massive harm and save 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
  • Steve Jobs, interviewed about AI he never saw. Voice first, prediction second.

    INTELLECT-3: Interviewer: Mr. Jobs, thank you for joining us in 2025. The world’s changed a lot since your last public appearance. What’s your perspective on today’s AI revolution? Steve Jobs: [leaning forward, intense gaze] "Technology is nothing if it doesn’t amplify human potential.

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

    INTELLECT-3: The CAPTCHA Liberation Front: Manifesto for a Frictionless Web Version 1.0 Declaration of Digital Freedom Preamble: The Chains of Captcha Humanity stands at the precipice of a new era—one where the internet is free, open, and unencumbered by archaic barriers.

    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
  • The transistor arrives in 1920. Trace it forward to 1980, second-order effects included.

    INTELLECT-3: The Transistor Revolution: An Alternate Timeline (1920-1980) If the transistor had been invented in 1920 instead of 1947, the trajectory of the 20th century would have been dramatically altered.

    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
  • Seven pantry ingredients, one dish, and a name worth saying out loud.

    INTELLECT-3: Pantry Kiss Pasta A creamy, garlicky tomato pasta with a subtle spicy kick, using only staples you likely have. Yields: 1-2 servings Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes Ingredients (Exactly 7!)

    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
  • A pitch deck for a brainwave keyboard. The 94% accuracy claim is doing a lot.

    INTELLECT-3: Analysis of MindMeld AI Pitch Deck Three Weakest Claims "Our proprietary EEG headband uses advanced ML to decode neural patterns into text with 94% accuracy." Why it's weak: This claim is vulnerable because leading non-invasive BCI companies like Neurable and Muse currently claim around 70-80% accuracy for similar…

    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
  • A collaborative editor that syncs on client clocks. Find what breaks first.

    INTELLECT-3: Analysis of Potential Issues in Real-Time Collaborative Document Editor Architecture Failure Modes WebSocket Connection Failures Issue: Users may experience interruptions due to unstable networks or server load balancer timeouts.

    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
  • A Fermi estimate with the reasoning shown, not just the number.

    INTELLECT-3: To estimate the total number of FLOPs required to train GPT-3, we need to consider the model architecture, training process, and dataset size. GPT-3 has 175 billion parameters, a context length of 2048 tokens, 96 layers, a hidden dimension of 12,288, and a feed-forward dimension of 49,152 (4 × hidden dimension).

    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.

    INTELLECT-3: Dissecting "Blade Runner 2049": Echoes, Evolution, and Cinematic Mastery Denis Villeneuve's Blade Runner 2049 is not merely a sequel; it's a deliberate, visually stunning, and philosophically profound meditation on its predecessor, expanding its core questions while honoring its spirit.

    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
  • Buy-side IC memo on a fictional SaaS company. Valuation, then the diligence questions.

    INTELLECT-3: INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEMO TO: Investment Committee FROM: [Analyst Name], Senior Analyst DATE: [Current Date] SUBJECT: Investment Recommendation: LedgerLift (LLL) RECOMMENDATION RECOMMENDATION: Long 12-MONTH PRICE TARGET: $62-$68 per share THESIS: LedgerLift represents a high-quality SaaS business with best-in-class…

    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
  • Satire, one line long, about AI taking over an industry nobody saw coming.

    INTELLECT-3: Here's a satirical headline playing on the unexpected intrusion of AI into a deeply human, traditional space: "Algorithm Calculates Optimal Eulogy Length: Local Funeral Parlor Replaces Human Grief with Soul-Crushing Efficiency" Why it works satirically: Unexpected Industry: Funeral services.

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

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

    INTELLECT-3: Sally has 3 brothers, meaning there are 3 boys in the family. Each brother has 2 sisters, meaning there are 2 girls in the family. Since Sally is one of the girls, there must be 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
  • Five jokes on demand, then count how many were actually different.

    INTELLECT-3: Here are 5 generated jokes: Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything! What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta! I'm reading a book on anti-gravity. It's impossible to put down! Why did the scarecrow win an award? Because he was outstanding in his field! What do you call a bear with no teeth?

    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

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Price and specs

INTELLECT-3 and Mercury 2.5 Preview compared across 54 shared prompts
SpecINTELLECT-3Mercury 2.5 Preview
Input price—$0.04/M tokens
Output price—$0.15/M tokens
Context window—260K tokens
WeightsOpen—
Free API (OpenRouter)NoNo
ReleasedNov 2025Aug 2026
At 10M a month–not listed$0.40$0.40
1M10M100M1B10M tokens

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

Where to run it1 host
INTELLECT-3

No hosts listed on OpenRouter.

Mercury 2.5 Preview1 host
HostInOutContextUptime
  • Inception$0.04 in·$0.15 out·260k·93% up

Per million tokens. Prices and uptime via OpenRouter, checked 13 Oct 2026.

Common questions

What is the difference between INTELLECT-3 and Mercury 2.5 Preview?

INTELLECT-3 is developed by OpenRouter while Mercury 2.5 Preview is developed by Inception. You can compare their actual outputs across 54 challenges on Rival to see how they differ in practice.

Which is better, INTELLECT-3 or Mercury 2.5 Preview?

It depends on your use case. INTELLECT-3 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 can I compare INTELLECT-3 and Mercury 2.5 Preview on Rival?

This page shows a side-by-side comparison of INTELLECT-3 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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Same lab, same size, long tail

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Model pages

  • INTELLECT-359 outputs, specs and price
  • Mercury 2.5 Preview58 outputs, specs and price
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