Claude Opus 4.8 vs Qwen3.8 Max
Pricing, context window and real answers (August 2026)
Claude Opus 4.8 (Anthropic) and Qwen3.8 Max (Qwen), compared as you can actually call them on FastMetal. Both are served from the same OpenAI-compatible endpoint and API key; switching is a change to the model string.
Specs and pricing
| Provider | Anthropic | Qwen |
|---|---|---|
| Input (per 1M tokens) | ¥893.5 | ¥357.4 |
| Output (per 1M tokens) | ¥4,467.5 | ¥1,072.2 |
| Typical cost (1,000 in + 500 out tokens × 1,000 calls) | ¥3,127 | ¥894 |
| Context window | 1,000,000 tokens | 1,000,000 tokens |
| Release date | 5/27/2026 | 8/3/2026 |
| Input modalities | text, image, file | text, image |
| Arena · overall | #22 · ELO 1,474 | Unranked |
| Arena · Japanese | #26 · ELO 1,448 | Unranked |
| Arena · coding | #12 · ELO 1,528 | Unranked |
Prices are FastMetal's yen rates before tax. Arena ranks are as of the latest leaderboard scrape.
Which should you pick?
- On price, Qwen3.8 Max: ¥1,072.2 per 1M output tokens, 76% less than Claude Opus 4.8.
- If in doubt, try both on the same key. Switching is a change to the model string, and each is billed at its own rate.
Real answers to the same prompts
Exactly what the FastMetal gateway returned, side by side. Not benchmark scores: actual output.
Count the number of 'r's in 'strawberry'
Count the number of 'r's in 'strawberry'. Explain your reasoning step by step.
Claude Opus 4.8
Qwen3.8 Max
Debug This Error
I'm getting the following error in my Node.js application: TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'map') at UserList (/app/components/UserList.js:12:25) at renderWithHooks (/app/node_modules/rea…
Claude Opus 4.8
Qwen3.8 Max
Professional Email
Write a professional email to a client explaining that the project delivery will be delayed by two weeks due to unexpected technical challenges discovered during integration testing. The tone should be apologetic but con…
Claude Opus 4.8
Qwen3.8 Max
Frequently asked questions
- Which is cheaper, Claude Opus 4.8 or Qwen3.8 Max?
- Per 1M output tokens, Claude Opus 4.8 is ¥4,467.5 and Qwen3.8 Max is ¥1,072.2 on FastMetal (yen, before tax), so Qwen3.8 Max is cheaper.
- How do the context windows of Claude Opus 4.8 and Qwen3.8 Max compare?
- Claude Opus 4.8 takes 1,000,000 tokens; Qwen3.8 Max takes 1,000,000.
- Can I use Claude Opus 4.8 and Qwen3.8 Max with the same API key?
- Yes. On FastMetal's OpenAI-compatible endpoint, switch by passing "anthropic-claude-opus-4-8" or "qwen3.8-max" as the model. Each is billed at its own rate from the same prepaid balance.
Try both on one API key
Create an account and add credit to call Claude Opus 4.8 and Qwen3.8 Max from the browser chat and the API. No monthly fee.