Phi-4 vs Gemma 3 12B: local, rented GPU, and API costs

Compare calculated local requirements, provider-published rented-GPU rates, and dated API rates or clearly labeled size estimates for Phi-4 and Gemma 3 12B. Spanvero adds $0 markup.

Phi-4 vs Gemma 3 12B — cost comparison

Which should you pick?

• Easiest to run locally: Either — both need a similar amount of VRAM.
• Cheapest via your own API key: Gemma 3 12B ($0.10/1M blended).
• Cheapest to rent by the hour: Either.
• Longest context: Gemma 3 12B (131.1K tokens).

VRAM is calculated from catalog specs, quantization, and context. Non-estimated API rates are provider-sourced snapshots dated 2026-08-24; retired upstream rates are last-known and size-derived values are labeled "est." We don't rank model quality or quote benchmarks here.

Full cost breakdown: Phi-4 →
Full cost breakdown: Gemma 3 12B →

Open the free LLM cost calculator → to model your workload, hardware, monthly cost, and reliability assumptions.

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Spanvero · All comparisons · Prices as of 2026-08-24. $0 markup, your own accounts, we never resell compute. © 2026 Cynosure LLC.