Gemini 3.6 Flash vs Grok 4.5
Gemini 3.6 Flash was superseded by Gemini 3.8 Flash. Grok 4.5 was superseded by Grok 4.7. The grades below are the last ones measured, so read them as history rather than as this week's board. See the current roster.
Gemini 3.6 Flash leads overall, C to C-. Grok 4.5 is about 1.2x cheaper per task. By suite, real-world issues is even at C- and Gemini 3.6 Flash takes vibe coding (C+ to C-). Take Grok 4.5 anyway when you want the side that is cheaper per task.Measured
Each agent graded on the same private suites, running headless through its own tools. Advantages are oriented so a win is a win, whichever way the metric runs.
Verdict: Grok 4.5 vs Gemini 3.6 Flash
Gemini 3.6 Flash leads overall, C to C-. By suite: real-world issues is even at C- (60% vs 60% capability); Gemini 3.6 Flash takes vibe coding, C+ to C- (72% vs 59% capability). Gemini 3.6 Flash used 12.6% of Google AI Pro's weekly limit per pass, $0.039 per task at the listed price. Grok 4.5 used 6.9% of SuperGrok's weekly limit per pass, $0.032 per task at the listed price. Per task, Grok 4.5 is about 1.2x cheaper ($0.032 vs $0.039). Gemini 3.6 Flash is faster on real-world issues: a median task takes 2m 17s against 3m 9s. Both finished every task on it. Reasons to pick Grok 4.5 anyway: it is cheaper per task ($0.032 vs $0.039).
Changed since W32: Gemini 3.6 Flash unchanged; Grok 4.5: real-world issues usage 8.0% to 6.9% of the weekly limit.
| Dimension | Gemini 3.6 Flash | Grok 4.5 | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capability | 60% | 60% | Even |
| Median task time | 2m 17s | 3m 9s | 53s faster (Gemini 3.6 Flash leads) |
| Approx. task cost | $0.039 / task | $0.032 / task | $0.007 / task lower (Grok 4.5 leads) |
Gemini 3.6 Flash: 12.6% of Google AI Pro (about 72.1% / 5h, 12.6% / 1w) per run. Its weekly limit holds 6 of the week's 33.6 5h windows. Grok 4.5: 6.9% of SuperGrok (6.9% / 1w) per run. Each figure is a share of that agent's own plan, so there is no delta to draw.
| Dimension | Gemini 3.6 Flash | Grok 4.5 | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capability | 72% | 59% | +13% (Gemini 3.6 Flash leads) |
| Median task time | 1m 54s | 3m 40s | 1m 46s faster (Gemini 3.6 Flash leads) |
| Approx. task cost | $0.038 / task | $0.031 / task | $0.007 / task lower (Grok 4.5 leads) |
Gemini 3.6 Flash: 0.8% of Google AI Pro (4.9% / 5h, 0.8% / 1w) per good solve. Its weekly limit holds 6 of the week's 33.6 5h windows. Grok 4.5: 0.4% of SuperGrok (0.4% / 1w) per good solve. Each figure is a share of that agent's own plan, so there is no delta to draw.
Grades and deltas are comparable only within a suite version. See methodology.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better for coding, Gemini 3.6 Flash or Grok 4.5?
They are even on our ladder: both clear tier 4 of 5 at 60% capability on real-world@v3, our private suite of real-world coding problems. Latest measurement 2026-08-10.
Which is cheaper per task, Gemini 3.6 Flash or Grok 4.5?
Gemini 3.6 Flash used 12.6% of Google AI Pro's weekly limit per pass, $0.039 per task at the listed price. Grok 4.5 used 6.9% of SuperGrok's weekly limit per pass, $0.032 per task at the listed price. Per task, Grok 4.5 is about 1.2x cheaper ($0.032 vs $0.039).