Qwen 3.1 (235B-2507 Tested) + Free APIs + Cline,Roo: BYE Kimi-K2? IS IT Really BETTER than KIMI-K2?

TL;DR

Qwen 3.1 offers cheaper, separate models outperforming Kimi-K2 in some areas.

Transcript

Read and summarize the transcript of this video on Glasp Reader (beta).

Key Insights

• Qwen 3.1 has transitioned from hybrid thinking to separate instruct and thinking models, enhancing overall performance and quality.
• The model is available at a competitive price on OpenRouter, significantly cheaper than its counterparts, Kimi and Gemini 2.5 Flash.
• Qwen Chat platform offers free, unlimited access to the model with capabilities in deep research and web development.
• The setup process for Qwen 3.1 is simplified with integration through Roo, Cline, and Kilo coding assistants.
• Qwen's benchmark scores may be misleading due to training on specific questions, affecting real-world performance perception.
• KiloCode provides $20 free credits, making Qwen 3.1 affordable for extended personal testing and evaluation.
• The model boasts enhanced long-context understanding with a 256K context window, improving instruction following.
• In personal ranking, Kimi K2 remains at the top for open model performance, followed by Deepseek and Qwen.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the main changes in Qwen 3.1 compared to previous models?

Qwen 3.1 has moved away from a hybrid thinking model to separate instruct and thinking models. This change was made to improve the overall quality and performance of the model by allowing more specialized training for each model type. The separation aims to enhance instruction following, logical reasoning, and text comprehension.

Q: How does the pricing of Qwen 3.1 compare to other models?

Qwen 3.1 is competitively priced on OpenRouter, costing 15 cents for input and 85 cents for output. This pricing is significantly cheaper than Kimi and Gemini 2.5 Flash models, making it an attractive option for users seeking cost-effective AI solutions without compromising on performance.

Q: What are the free usage options available for Qwen 3.1?

Users can access Qwen 3.1 for free through the Qwen Chat platform, which offers unlimited usage without any cost. This platform also includes deep research and web development capabilities, allowing users to explore the model's functionalities extensively without financial constraints.

Q: How can users set up Qwen 3.1 with coding assistants?

To set up Qwen 3.1 with coding assistants like Roo, Cline, and Kilo, users need to upgrade their VS Code extensions to the latest version. Then, they can create a new profile, select the open router option, and choose the Qwen 3.1 model. This integration facilitates easy usage and testing of the model.

Q: Are Qwen 3.1's benchmark scores reliable indicators of its performance?

Qwen 3.1's benchmark scores may be misleading because the model is known to have been trained on specific benchmark questions to achieve higher scores. These scores might not accurately reflect real-world performance, so users are encouraged to test the model themselves to gauge its effectiveness.

Q: What incentives are available for users to test Qwen 3.1?

KiloCode offers $20 in free credits, allowing users to test Qwen 3.1 extensively without incurring costs. This incentive makes the model highly affordable for users who wish to explore its capabilities and assess its suitability for their specific needs.

Q: What improvements does Qwen 3.1 offer in long-context understanding?

Qwen 3.1 features enhanced long-context understanding with a 256K context window. This improvement allows the model to process and comprehend longer text inputs more effectively, resulting in better instruction following and more coherent responses in complex scenarios.

Q: How does Qwen 3.1 rank in personal performance evaluations?

In personal performance evaluations, Kimi K2 is ranked highest for open model performance in real-world usage, followed by Deepseek and then Qwen. Despite its affordability and improvements, Qwen 3.1 still trails behind Kimi K2 in terms of reliability and effectiveness in practical applications.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Qwen 3.1 has shifted from hybrid thinking to distinct instruct and thinking models, improving its overall capabilities. It's priced competitively on OpenRouter, cheaper than Kimi and Gemini models, and offers free usage through the Qwen Chat platform, making it accessible for a wide range of tasks.

• The setup of Qwen 3.1 is user-friendly with Roo, Cline, and Kilo coding assistants, allowing users to easily integrate the model into their workflows. Despite its attractive pricing, users are cautioned about the model's benchmark scores, which may not accurately reflect real-world performance.

• Qwen 3.1 offers enhanced long-context understanding and improved instruction following, making it a strong contender in the AI model space. However, personal rankings still place Kimi K2 at the forefront, with Qwen trailing behind in real-world usage scenarios, despite its affordability.