Start with what you want to get done. We'll match your task to the evidence, not to the biggest marketing budget.
Here are the options worth considering.
We've ranked these using the tests that are relevant to your task. Each test has limits, so treat this as a useful starting point, not a guarantee.
In short
For writing and creating content, our pick is Claude Opus 5.5. Gemini 4 Argon and Claude Fable 5.1 are too close to call against it. If you would rather use a model with open weights, MiMo-V2.6-Pro is the best of those we can see. We have verified prices for Gemini 4 Argon only; for the rest we cannot say what they cost.
For Writing and creating content, we looked at writing votes first.
Best-supported choice
Scored highest on writing votes among the models with enough evidence, and none of its other relevant results put it behind the leaders.
Worth knowing: Not enough data for fixing real software bugs, so part of the picture is missing.
Price: Price not independently verified
How we know: scores and sources
See everything about Claude Opus 5.5
Also worth a look
Good-enough alternative Close call with our top pick
Rated Top tier on writing votes.
Worth knowing: Its score is within the margin of error of the best-supported choice, so the order between them is not settled.
Price: - Google AI Pro: GBP 18.99 per month (price source, verified 28 Oct 2026)
- Google AI Ultra (from): GBP 79.99 per month (price source, verified 28 Oct 2026)
How we know: scores and sources
Full profile for Gemini 4 Argon
Good-enough alternative Close call with our top pick
Rated Top tier on writing votes.
Worth knowing: Its score is within the margin of error of the best-supported choice, so the order between them is not settled.
Price: Price not independently verified
How we know: scores and sources
Full profile for Claude Fable 5.1
Best open-weights option
Rated Top tier on writing votes. Its weights are published under an open licence, so it can be offered by more than one provider. We have not verified any price or free access.
Worth knowing: Not enough data for hard maths problems, school-competition maths and graduate-level science questions and more, so part of the picture is missing.
Price: Price not independently verified
How we know: scores and sources
Full profile for MiMo-V2.6-Pro
About cost. We can compare performance, but we don't yet have enough verified pricing data to tell you which option is cheapest. We never use API prices as a stand-in for consumer subscription prices, and we never assume a free tier has the same features, limits or model access as a paid plan. New to tokens and “per million”? Read how AI pricing works.
Other models with enough evidence (73)
These have a result for the main test but were not shown above. They rated Middle or Behind the leaders on it, or fell outside the top few. Listed in score order.
How this was decided: our recommendation rules. Results are relative to the 77 models listed here.
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