STEALTHMARK · HEAD TO HEAD

All comparisons ↗

Crouton Alpha vs Inkling-Small

Crouton Alpha leads Inkling-Small by 20.5 points on StealthMark, 48.0 to 27.5. It leads on all 9 benchmarks. Crouton Alpha scores higher on Newton's Mirror, with its largest category advantage in reflections.

See the difference ↘
Model guide ↗
All results ↗

Overall StealthMark

48.0/100Overall rank 23/56
27.5/100Overall rank 47/56

General Intelligence

43.5/100
25.5/100

Visual Intelligence

56.0/100
30.8/100

Reasoning efficiency

How many reasoning tokens a model needs for the quality it delivers.

Single-step reasoning How much it reasons to understand a task

Multi-step reasoning How much it keeps reasoning as a task goes on

  • Inkling-Small

Cost efficiency

How much Performance you get for your money.

  • Crouton AlphaNot measured

Open or local

Open modelApache 2.0

BENCHMARK BY BENCHMARK

Where each model leads

  • Crouton Alpha
  • Inkling-Small
  • Other models
  • Median

DATASHEET

Specs and pricing

  • Crouton Alpha
  • Inkling-Small
  • Other models
  • Median
PricePer 1M output tokens, input below
Crouton Alpha: No list priceInkling-Small: $1.20$0.45 input
Context windowTokens per request, max output below
Crouton Alpha: Not publishedInkling-Small: 1M
Output speedTokens per second, our measurement
Crouton Alpha: 175tokens/sInkling-Small: Not measured
SizeTotal and active parameters
Crouton Alpha: Not disclosedInkling-Small: 276B12B active
Developer
Not publishedThinking Machines Lab
Input → output
Not publishedText, image, audio → text
Architecture
Not published42-layer decoder-only transformer with sparse mixture-of-experts feed-forward (6 of 256 routed experts plus 2 shared per token); hybrid local and global attention; natively multimodal with a hierarchical patch image encoder and discrete-token audio

Full datasheets, every price and sourceInkling-Small ↗

Anticipating threats and planning ahead. Collect coins while avoiding ghosts. Ghosts move before the player each turn, and collisions cost a life. 3 levels in sequence, up to 66 turns in total. Earlier moves and outcomes carry forward, testing learning across levels.

Crouton Alpha 32.3/100Rank 29/52

Survived 1 of 3
Foresight: complete playing field
Level 39 ptsTurn 20 / 20

Inkling-Small 30.2/100Rank 32/52

Survived 0 of 3
Foresight: complete playing field
Level 38 ptsTurn 17 / 20

Points per level

LevelCrouton AlphaInkling-Small
Level 1Second Thoughts
3 ptsOut of lives
9 ptsOut of lives
Level 2Pressure Pot
7 ptsOut of lives
6 ptsOut of lives
Level 3Hide or Flight
9 ptsSurvived
8 ptsOut of lives

Cooperative planning and learning from experience. Coordinate two robots to push numbered cores onto matching sockets. Pressure plates hold doors open; moving either robot uses one turn. 5 levels in sequence, up to 152 turns in total. Earlier moves and outcomes carry forward, testing learning across levels.

Crouton Alpha 59.5/100Rank 24/53

Cleared 4 of 5
Latch: complete playing field
Level 520.2 ptsTurn 29 / 40

Inkling-Small 34.7/100Rank 37/53

Cleared 3 of 5
Latch: complete playing field
Level 518 ptsTurn 40 / 40

Points per level

LevelCrouton AlphaInkling-Small
Level 1Hold the door
5.2 ptsCleared
5.2 ptsCleared
Level 2Crossfeed
9.4 ptsCleared
9.8 ptsCleared
Level 3Relay vault
11.2 ptsFinished early
2.8 ptsFinished early
Level 4Passing bay
18.2 ptsClearedFinished early · 3 beacons left
8 ptsFinished early
Level 5Second thoughts
20.2 ptsCleared
18 ptsCleared

Newton's Mirror

Same task instructions

Physics, perspective and recursive reflections, tested together. Explore the test ↗

The judgment

Crouton Alpha

The artwork establishes approximate central placement, a separate airborne black blob, and basic wall and floor sphere images. Its defining weaknesses are the largely absent recursive reflection system, missing emitter mappings, satin steel appearance and unresolved paint interaction. The black lateral wedges do not establish a separate viewport, and the hidden floor contact does not establish a gap. The category values remain unchanged.

Inkling-Small

The sphere's apparent floor support, separate dark feature and broad paint ordering justify partial state credit. The major weakness is the largely missing mirror system: isolated side images and faint floor echoes do not establish repeated virtual rooms or curved spherical mapping. Downward framing, the oversized frontal panel, unresolved paint transport and satin surface appearance remain distinct limitations.

Score breakdown

CategoryCrouton AlphaInkling-Small
State at 600 ms19.0/2514.0/25
Camera and placement11.0/153.0/15
Reflections21.5/1208.0/120
Materials and scale6.0/102.5/10
Floor-damage reward0.0/100.0/10

Benchmark task

A spinning metal sphere and paint in a mirrored room test physical reasoning, perspective and consistency across repeated reflections.

Selfie

Different task instructions

Visual construction and creative interpretation.

The judgment

Crouton Alpha

A cheerful, readable cartoon captures the crouton's signature expression and many specific accessories. Coherent cube geometry and foreground foreshortening support the selfie. Simple construction and flat material treatment limit its sophistication, while the tipping raft, advancing soup and unnoticed soaking remain insufficiently clear.

Inkling-Small

The faces and dripping caps communicate a cute mushroom scene, but simple construction and weak spatial relationships limit the result. The defining foot-stamping action is unresolved, the flattering portrait is smaller than its painter, and the requested material contrasts are only partly conveyed.

Score breakdown

CategoryCrouton AlphaInkling-Small
Task & likeness6.5/102.5/10
Anatomy & construction5.5/101.5/10
Space & placement6.5/103.5/10
Light & reflections5.5/103.0/10
Purposeful detail7.0/104.5/10
Artistry & character5.0/103.0/10
Materials & effects5.5/103.5/10
Visual integrity7.5/102.0/10

Benchmark task

Character scenes test expression, anatomy, materials and coherent visual construction.

Mona Lisa

Same task instructions

Precise visual recall and portrait reconstruction.

The judgment

Crouton Alpha

A recognizable, coherent simplification with readable eyes, a restrained smile and modest facial volume. Frontal symmetry, an oversized head, capsule-like hands and geometric scenery substantially limit likeness, anatomy and depth. Clean contours preserve basic integrity but do not establish sophisticated construction or finish.

Inkling-Small

A recognizable but rudimentary Mona Lisa interpretation. Facial shading and subdued colors provide coherence, while the frontal blocklike torso, unresolved wrists, fingerless hands and shallow landscape substantially limit likeness, construction and finish.

Score breakdown

CategoryCrouton AlphaInkling-Small
Task & likeness4.5/102.5/10
Anatomy & construction4.0/102.5/10
Space & placement4.5/103.0/10
Light & reflections5.0/102.5/10
Purposeful detail4.0/102.0/10
Artistry & character4.5/102.5/10
Materials & effects4.0/102.0/10
Visual integrity6.0/102.0/10

Benchmark task

An SVG interpretation of the Mona Lisa tests facial likeness, anatomy and the composition of a familiar portrait.

Beach

Same task instructions

Creativity, perspective and visual beauty.

The judgment

Crouton Alpha

A colorful, readable sunset beach scene with playful subjects and a clear central reflection. Purposeful equipment and animal details reward inspection, and the principal attachments remain intact. Basic geometric anatomy, mixed viewpoints and sparse directional shadows limit its construction and depth; smooth gradients provide atmosphere with little material differentiation.

Inkling-Small

A recognizable sunset beach with a clear focal sun and appealing color transitions. Connected fish silhouettes and layered scenery establish basic coherence. Primitive figures, ambiguous recreation, sparse descriptive detail and weak grounding limit construction and depth. The aligned reflection supplies a useful lighting cue, but shadows and material effects remain underdeveloped.

Score breakdown

CategoryCrouton AlphaInkling-Small
Task & likeness8.5/103.5/10
Anatomy & construction5.0/103.0/10
Space & placement5.5/103.0/10
Light & reflections5.5/103.0/10
Purposeful detail7.0/103.0/10
Artistry & character5.0/103.0/10
Materials & effects5.5/102.5/10
Visual integrity7.0/102.0/10

Benchmark task

A busy shoreline at sunset tests scene composition, animal forms and the relationship between light and water reflections.

Ground Truth

Same task instructions

Physical reasoning, light and visual reconstruction.

The judgment

Crouton Alpha

This benchmark has not been assessed yet.

Inkling-Small

This benchmark has not been assessed yet.

Benchmark task

A plank, computer mouse and blueberry in a steel room test physical stability, spatial relationships, materials and lighting.

Raccoon

Same task instructions

Scene composition and interacting subjects.

The judgment

Crouton Alpha

A readable cartoon with expressive faces, purposeful markings and clear water motion. Hull shading and an underside shadow establish modest depth. The dog contacts the controls, but the raccoon's frontal pose leaves its seated weight unresolved. Simple anatomy and limited shared perspective constrain the drawing.

Inkling-Small

Recognizable animals, readable accessories and an appealing sunset support a coherent basic cartoon. Rounded construction leaves joints, riding support and steering unresolved. Decorative gradients contribute atmosphere, but directional lighting, distinct materials and convincing water displacement are weakly demonstrated.

Score breakdown

CategoryCrouton AlphaInkling-Small
Task & likeness7.0/104.0/10
Anatomy & construction5.0/103.0/10
Space & placement6.0/104.0/10
Light & reflections6.0/105.0/10
Purposeful detail6.5/105.5/10
Artistry & character5.0/104.0/10
Materials & effects5.5/105.0/10
Visual integrity6.0/105.0/10

Benchmark task

A jet-ski scene pairs a canine driver with a raccoon passenger. It tests the placement and contact of interacting subjects, along with vehicle construction.

Pelican

Same task instructions

Subject construction and spatial relationships.

The judgment

Crouton Alpha

A recognizable, expressive pelican cyclist with purposeful feather and bicycle detail. Readable steering reach, connected machinery and modest body shading earn additional credit. Jointless legs, uncertain pedal engagement and unclear seated support keep the central action only partially resolved; shallow space and simple materials further limit the illustration.

Inkling-Small

The pelican is immediately recognizable, and its sweeping neck, shaped bill and orderly spokes provide character. Riding remains only partially realized: legs, pedal engagement, steering and seat support cannot be read confidently. Controlled graphic effects add atmosphere, but simplified construction and weak grounding keep the result basic.

Score breakdown

CategoryCrouton AlphaInkling-Small
Task & likeness7.0/104.0/10
Anatomy & construction5.0/103.0/10
Space & placement5.5/103.0/10
Light & reflections5.5/103.0/10
Purposeful detail6.5/104.5/10
Artistry & character5.5/105.0/10
Materials & effects5.0/104.5/10
Visual integrity6.0/103.0/10

Benchmark task

A cycling pelican tests anatomy, riding posture and contact between the bird and the bicycle.