kitio.aiKimi API vs MiniMax API
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Kimi API starts at See pricing page and MiniMax API starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Long-context models
- Coding-tuned models
- OpenAI and Anthropic formats
- Cache-hit discounts
- Tool calling
- Long-context text models
- Speech and voice cloning
- Hailuo video API
- Music generation
- Coding plans
| Feature | Kimi API | MiniMax API |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Moonshot AI's developer API for Kimi long-context and coding models | API for MiniMax text, speech, video and music models |
| Category | Models & APIs | Models & APIs |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | See pricing page | See pricing page |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Made by | Moonshot AI | MiniMax |
| Based in | China | China |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
|
Pricing compared
Kimi API starts at See pricing page and MiniMax API starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Kimi API
- Strong agentic coding models
- Works with popular coding tools
- Open weights available
- Flagship pricing rose in 2026
- Data processed in China
- Model lineup changes quickly
MiniMax API
- Text, speech and video in one API
- Competitive prices
- Open-weight text models
- Docs split across regions
- Fewer enterprise features
- Model names change often
Which one should you choose?
Choose Kimi API if you want:
- Strong agentic coding models
- Works with popular coding tools
- Open weights available
Watch out: flagship pricing rose in 2026.
Choose MiniMax API if you want:
- Text, speech and video in one API
- Competitive prices
- Open-weight text models
Watch out: docs split across regions.
Kimi API vs MiniMax API FAQ
What is the difference between Kimi API and MiniMax API?
Kimi API: Moonshot AI's developer API for Kimi long-context and coding models. MiniMax API: API for MiniMax text, speech, video and music models. Both are models & apis tools.
Is Kimi API or MiniMax API cheaper?
Kimi API starts at See pricing page and MiniMax API starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do Kimi API and MiniMax API have free plans?
Kimi API: No. MiniMax API: No.
Who makes Kimi API?
Kimi API is made by Moonshot AI, based in China.
Who makes MiniMax API?
MiniMax API is made by MiniMax, based in China.
Which should I choose, Kimi API or MiniMax API?
Choose Kimi API if you value strong agentic coding models and works with popular coding tools. Choose MiniMax API if you value text, speech and video in one api and competitive prices.