GPT-5 vs Qwen 3 Max for summarizing pdfs: which is better in 2026?
A head-to-head look at GPT-5 and Qwen 3 Max for summarizing pdfs. Benchmarks via artificialanalysis.ai, pricing as of May 2026. Compare AI models like these inside Admix.
Quick verdict
For summarizing pdfs in May 2026, Qwen 3 Max edges out GPT-5 on the contextWindow metric. Strong open-source alternative.
Side-by-side specs
| Spec | GPT-5 | Qwen |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence index | 78.4 | 72.1 |
| Coding index | 76.1 | 71.0 |
| Context window | 400K tokens | 1M tokens |
| Speed (tok/s) | 142 | 130 |
| Input $/M | $5.00 | $0.50 |
| Output $/M | $20.00 | $2.00 |
| Released | Aug 7, 2025 | Feb 28, 2026 |
How they handle summarizing pdfs
GPT-5: Top reasoning and math scores. The main caveat is more expensive than mid-tier models.
Qwen 3 Max: Strong open-source alternative. The main caveat is less polished english writing.
Cost per 1,000 queries
Assuming 1,500 input and 800 output tokens per query:
- GPT-5: $23.50 per 1,000 queries
- Qwen 3 Max: $2.35 per 1,000 queries
Verdict by sub-task
- Best raw quality on summarizing pdfs:
- Best price: Qwen 3 Max
- Longest context: Qwen 3 Max
- Fastest: GPT-5
FAQ
Is GPT-5 better than Qwen 3 Max for summarizing pdfs?
On May 2026 benchmarks (artificialanalysis.ai), Qwen 3 Max ranks higher than GPT-5 for summarizing pdfs on the contextWindow metric. The gap is small enough that the choice often comes down to price, context length, and tone.
Which is cheaper, GPT-5 or Qwen 3 Max?
GPT-5 costs $5.00 input and $20.00 output per million tokens. Qwen 3 Max costs $0.50 input and $2.00 output per million tokens.
Can I use both GPT-5 and Qwen in one app?
Yes. Admix is a multi model AI chat aggregator that lets you run GPT-5 and Qwen 3 Max side by side under one subscription.
Sources
Benchmarks from artificialanalysis.ai (May 2026).
Related
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