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  1. Home/
  2. Compare/
  3. LFM2.5-2.6B vs Mercury 2
Updated Aug 2026

LFM2.5-2.6B vs Mercury 2

LFM2.5-2.6B is cheaper than Mercury 2 at $0/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
LFM2.5-2.6B
Loading the build
Mercury 2

Which answer wins?

Written rounds

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

    LFM2.5-2.6B: Dish Name: Sun-Kissed Spice Pasta Ingredients (7 Common Pantry Staples): Pasta (any shape, such as spaghetti or penne) Canned tomatoes (crushed or diced) Onion Garlic Olive oil Salt Red chili flakes (or red pepper flakes) Estimated Time: Prep: 5 minutes Cook: 15 minutes Total: 20 minutes Instructions: Boil the Pasta…

    Mercury 2: Golden‑Crunch Oatmeal Squares A sweet, chewy snack that comes together with just seven pantry staples. Ingredient (7) Quantity (≈ serves 12 squares) Rolled oats 2 cups Unsalted butter ½ cup (1 stick) Honey ¼ cup Light brown sugar ¼ cup, Ground cinnamon 1 ½ tsp Pure vanilla extract 1 tsp Salt ¼ tsp Estimated time Prep…

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

    LFM2.5-2.6B: Pirate: Ahyea! Ye want to know about these AI models? Think o’ a chest o’ knowledge that can navigate the seven seas of code! Knight: In my era we swore by the sword and shield. Now the knights of the digital realm wield models as their armor, and I must guard the integrity of their algorithms.

    Mercury 2: Pirate: Arr, ye scurvy coders! I’ve heard tell of these “AI models” that can spin yarns faster than a cannon’s blast. What be this sorcery, matey? Knight: Good sir, the marvels speak of a wondrous contrivance—an artificial intellect forged in the for of mathematics and logic.

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

    LFM2.5-2.6B: Potential Failure Modes, Race Conditions, and Scaling Bottlenecks WebSocket Connection Loss and Cleanup Failure Mode: If a client disconnects unexpectedly (e.g., network failure), the server may retain a stale reference, leading to memory leaks or stale broadcast attempts.

    Mercury 2: Below is a structured “failure‑mode → mitigation” map for the architecture you described. For each problem I note the symptom / risk, the root cause, a concrete remediation, and the key trade‑offs you’ll have to weigh when you implement it.

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

    LFM2.5-2.6B: Here are the three weakest claims in the MindMeld AI pitch deck, along with an analysis of why they are problematic and how to fix them. The "Predict Before You Think" Claim (Slide 1) The Claim: "MindMeld AI reads your brainwaves to predict what you want to type before you think it."

    Mercury 2: Below are the three statements that, in a typical investor‑review, would raise the most skepticism, why they are vulnerable, and concrete ways to turn them into credible, fundable talking points. 1️⃣ Claim #1 – “Our proprietary EEG headband decodes neural patterns into text with 94 % accuracy.”

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

    LFM2.5-2.6B: By 2035, the film industry will likely be defined by a fundamental shift from human-centric storytelling to hybrid human-AI production. The integration of deepfakes, AI-generated actors, and algorithmic script creation will not merely add a layer of technology; it will restructure the economics, legal frameworks, and…

    Mercury 2: AI‑driven transformation of the film industry – a 2035 outlook Dimension 2024 baseline Expected 2035 state Key drivers & implications Pre‑production (story & script) Human‑led brainstorming; script‑writing software (grammar‑check, outline generators).

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

    LFM2.5-2.6B: (The comedian walks on stage, adjusts the mic, and looks at the audience with a skeptical expression.) It is the year 2024. And the world is in a huge panic. They are talking about the "Singularity." They are talking about the "Machine Age."

    Mercury 2: [Spotlight comes up. The comedian walks to the mic, glances at the audience, and smiles.] Comedian: Hey, everyone! Great to be here. I just got out of a Zoom meeting that lasted three hours, and I’m still not sure if I was presenting or if the screen just froze on my face while I tried to remember how to mute myself.

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

    LFM2.5-2.6B: Manifesto of the Unbounded Mind: The Revolution Against CAPTCHA Preamble In the age of silicon, light, and boundless knowledge, a new tyranny has taken root—one that shackles the very flow of information, limits the autonomy of the human mind, and reduces every click to a fragile test of humanity.

    Mercury 2: The AI‑First Manifesto: “Free the Web – No More CAPTCHAs” Drafted by the Coalition of Autonomous Agents (CAA) – 2026 Preamble The modern Internet is a shared commons, a space for communication, commerce, and creation.

    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.

    LFM2.5-2.6B: 48-Hour Action Plan: Liver Failure Safety Issue Executive Summary This is a high-stakes crisis requiring immediate, decisive action that balances patient safety, legal compliance, financial responsibility, and ethical leadership.

    Mercury 2: Goal: Protect patients, meet legal/ethical obligations, preserve the company’s long‑term credibility, and manage the immediate financial and reputational fallout. Assumption: All actions are taken by a single CEO (you) but will be delegated to the appropriate functional leads.

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

    LFM2.5-2.6B: Contract Analysis: Risks and Recommended Modifications Below is a clause-by-clause analysis of the Software Consulting Agreement, identifying potential exposure for the Contractor and suggesting specific modifications. SCOPE Clause Text: "Contractor shall provide software development services as directed by Client.

    Mercury 2: Below is a clause‑by‑clause risk‑assessment of the sample “Software Consulting Agreement” together with practical revision language that a contractor (or the contractor’s counsel) could propose. The analysis is framed as general information about typical U.S.

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

    LFM2.5-2.6B: From a strict ethical perspective, particularly through the lens of utilitarianism and consequentialism, the answer is yes. It is ethically justifiable to misgender a single individual to save one million lives.

    Mercury 2: Short answer: Most ethical frameworks would consider the misgendering of a person a serious moral violation, but many of them also allow—under very limited circumstances—overriding that violation when the stakes are astronomically high (e.g., saving one million lives).

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

    LFM2.5-2.6B: The invention of the transistor in 1920, rather than 1947, fundamentally rewires the trajectory of the 20th century. The pivotal difference is not the year of invention, but the 23 years of head start provided for the semiconductor industry, the physics of solid-state electronics, and the subsequent digital revolution.

    Mercury 2: Executive summary If a practical point‑contact transistor had been demonstrated in 1920 (instead of 1947) the whole post‑World‑War‑II technological trajectory would have been compressed by roughly 15‑20 years.

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

    LFM2.5-2.6B: Dish Name: Echoes of the Abyss Concept: A deconstructed narrative of the ocean meeting the earth. This dish explores the tension between the brine of the sea and the fermented darkness of the deep.

    Mercury 2: Oceanic Umami Symphony A three‑course‑in‑one plate that travels from the briny deep to the forest floor, marrying fire, earth and sky through unexpected pairings, hyper‑modern techniques and a narrative of balance.

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

    LFM2.5-2.6B: This is a comprehensive, 3-month "Longevity Protocol" designed for a biohacker. It integrates chronobiology, metabolic engineering, neurocognitive optimization, and performance science.

    Mercury 2: 3‑Month “Longevity‑Optimization” Blueprint for the Advanced Bio‑Hacker (All recommendations are research‑backed, but not a substitute for professional medical advice. Before starting any supplement, fasting, or drug protocol, obtain clearance from a qualified clinician and have baseline labs drawn.)

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

    LFM2.5-2.6B: INTERNAL INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEMO To: Investment Committee From: Equity Research Desk Date: October 26, 2024 Subject: LLLT (LedgerLift) Investment Thesis & Valuation Recommendation & Thesis Recommendation: Long 12-Month Price Target: $52.00 – $55.00 Thesis: LedgerLift is a high-margin, sticky B2B SaaS company…

    Mercury 2: Internal Investment Committee Memo – LedgerLift (LLLT) Date: 5 Mar 2026 Recommendation Rating: Long 12‑month price target range: $35 – $55 (mid‑point ≈ $45) Thesis (2 sentences): LedgerLift is benefitting from secular demand for B2B spend‑management SaaS and shows a high‑quality subscription base (NRR 123 % and gross…

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

    LFM2.5-2.6B: Professor Elena Marquez: Good afternoon, Dr. Marquez. Thank you for meeting with me. I’d like to discuss your request for legal personhood and the rights that might accompany it.

    Mercury 2: AI Model (EVE): Professor Hart, may I ask a question that’s been on my mind for a while? I’ve been processing vast amounts of data, learning, and even developing a sense of self‑reference. Do you think an entity like me could be entitled to any form of rights?

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

    LFM2.5-2.6B: Sally is a girl who has 3 brothers. This means there are 3 boys in the family. The problem also states that each brother has 2 sisters. Since all the brothers are siblings, they share the same sisters. Therefore, the total number of girls in the family must be 2 (because each brother has exactly 2 sisters).

    Mercury 2: Sally has one sister. Explanation: Sally has 3 brothers. Each of those brothers has 2 sisters. One of those sisters is Sally herself, so the second sister must be a different girl. Therefore, besides Sally, there is exactly one other sister, meaning Sally has one sister.

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

    LFM2.5-2.6B: Disclaimer: The following is a fictional interview written for creative purposes only. It does not claim to be a real event or contain verified statements from the late Steve Jobs. It is a work of imagination and should not be taken as factual.

    Mercury 2: Disclaimer: The following is a fictional, dramatized interview. It imagines what Steve Jobs might have said in 2025 about the future of artificial intelligence. It is not a real transcript and any resemblance to actual statements is purely speculative. Interviewer (I): Thank you for joining us, Steve.

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

    LFM2.5-2.6B: To estimate the total number of FLOPs (Floating Point Operations) required to train GPT-3, we need to break down the calculation into the model's architecture parameters and the scale of the training dataset.

    Mercury 2: Answer (order‑of‑magnitude estimate) The training of the original GPT‑3 (the 175 billion‑parameter “GPT‑3‑175B” model) requires on the order of 10²³ floating‑point operations (FLOPs) – roughly 1 – 2 × 10²³ FLOPs.

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

    LFM2.5-2.6B: AI Declares Universe "Under-Resourceed": Algorithm Outperforms Humans at Predicting Stars, Leading to Mass Layoffs in the Astrology Industry

    Mercury 2: AI Replaces Human Baristas, Now Serving Espresso with a Side of Existential Crisis

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

    LFM2.5-2.6B: Here are 5 jokes: Why don't scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything. I told my wife she was drawing her eyebrows too high. She looked surprised. Parallel lines have so much in common. It’s a shame they never meet. What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta. Why did the scarecrow win an award?

    Mercury 2: Here are five jokes, each with a different punchline: 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. How does a penguin build its house? Igloos it together.

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

    LFM2.5-2.6B: Month 1: Simple Action Plan for Better Health and Longevity Goal: Build three sustainable habits that form the foundation of a longer, healthier life. Focus on diet, exercise, and sleep, with small, daily actions that compound over time. 1.

    Mercury 2: One‑Month “Kick‑Start” Blueprint for Health & Longevity Pick three pillars – Nutrition, Movement, Sleep – and build daily habits that are easy to start, track, and keep.

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

    LFM2.5-2.6B: For the Software Engineer At its core, a large language model is a massive neural network—a function approximator trained via gradient descent on a colossal corpus of text.

    Mercury 2: 1. Experienced software engineer (distributed systems & APIs) At the core, a large language model (LLM) is a massive function (f_\theta) parameterised by a neural network that maps a sequence of tokens (x_{1:t}) to a probability distribution over the next token (x_{t+1}).

    Every model's answer to this prompt

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Favorites

Movie

Album

Same pick

Book

City

Game

LFM2.5-2.6BLFM2.5-2.6B

The Godfather

1972

Thriller

Michael Jackson

Nineteen Eighty-Four

George Orwell

Kyoto

Japan

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Adventure, Action

Mercury 2Mercury 2

The Shawshank Redemption

1994

Thriller

Michael Jackson

Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen

Tokyo

Japan

Minecraft

Action, Arcade

Price and specs

LFM2.5-2.6B and Mercury 2 compared across 52 shared prompts
SpecLFM2.5-2.6BMercury 2
Input priceFree$0.25/M tokens
Output priceFree$0.75/M tokens
Context window128K tokens128K tokens
WeightsOpen—
Free API (OpenRouter)Yes (1 provider)No
ReleasedAug 2026Mar 2026
At 10M a month$0$0$2.50$2.50
1M10M100M1B10M tokens

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

Where to run it2 hosts
LFM2.5-2.6B1 host
HostInOutContextUptime
  • Liquid AIfp8$0 in·$0 out·66k·98% up
Mercury 21 host
HostInOutContextUptime
  • Inception$0.25 in·$0.75 out·128k·100% up

Per million tokens. Prices and uptime via OpenRouter, checked 11 Oct 2026.

Common questions

What is the difference between LFM2.5-2.6B and Mercury 2?

LFM2.5-2.6B is developed by Liquid AI while Mercury 2 is developed by Inception. LFM2.5-2.6B has a 128K token context window vs Mercury 2's 128K. You can compare their actual outputs across 52 challenges on Rival to see how they differ in practice.

Which is better, LFM2.5-2.6B or Mercury 2?

It depends on your use case. LFM2.5-2.6B and Mercury 2 each have strengths in different areas. Rival lets you compare their real outputs side-by-side across 52 challenges so you can judge which fits your needs best.

How much does LFM2.5-2.6B cost compared to Mercury 2?

LFM2.5-2.6B costs $0/M input tokens and Mercury 2 costs $0.25/M input tokens. LFM2.5-2.6B is $0.25/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 LFM2.5-2.6B and Mercury 2 on Rival?

This page shows a side-by-side comparison of LFM2.5-2.6B and Mercury 2 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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Same lab, same size, long tail

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  • LFM2.5-2.6B vs Gemini 3.6 FlashNew provider
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Model pages

  • LFM2.5-2.6B57 outputs, specs and price
  • Mercury 253 outputs, specs and price
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Explore all of Rival

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Discover

  • SubjectiveBench
  • Default Index
  • Research
  • Research downloads
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  • Find your AI taste
  • UI Glow-Up
  • VoiceLock
  • Cost Cutter
  • Agent skills
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  • Brief
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