STEALTHMARK · HEAD TO HEAD

All comparisons ↗

Inkling-Small vs MiniMax M3

MiniMax M3 leads Inkling-Small by 7.0 points on StealthMark, 34.6 to 27.6. It leads on 5 of 9 benchmarks and Inkling-Small on 3, including both games, with 1 tied. MiniMax M3 scores higher on Newton's Mirror, with its largest category advantage in reflections.

See the difference ↘
All results ↗
All results ↗

Overall StealthMark

27.6/100Overall rank 43/53
34.6/100Overall rank 40/53

General Intelligence

25.5/100
28.0/100

Visual Intelligence

31.1/100
45.3/100

Reasoning efficiency

On every task, result quality and reasoning tokens are each compared with all measured models and weighed equally. Each dot is one model.

Single-step reasoning Result quality weighed against reasoning tokens on a single problem

Multi-step reasoning Result quality weighed against reasoning tokens across connected steps, as in agentic workflows

  • Inkling-Small
  • MiniMax M3

Open or local

Open modelApache 2.0

BENCHMARK BY BENCHMARK

Where each model leads

  • Inkling-Small
  • MiniMax M3
  • Other models
  • Median

DATASHEET

Specs and pricing

Both take about 1M tokens of context.

  • Inkling-Small
  • MiniMax M3
  • Other models
  • Median
PricePer 1M output tokens, input below
Inkling-Small: No list priceMiniMax M3: $1.20$0.30 input
Context windowTokens per request, max output below
Inkling-Small: 1MTiedMiniMax M3: 1MTied512K max output
Output speedTokens per second, our measurement
Inkling-Small: Not measuredMiniMax M3: 162tokens/s
SizeTotal and active parameters
Inkling-Small: 276B12B activeMiniMax M3: 428B23B active
Developer
Thinking Machines LabMiniMax
Released
Not published1 Jun 2026
Origin
Not publishedSingapore
Input → output
Text, image, audio → textText, image, video → text
Architecture
42-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 audioMixture-of-Experts with MiniMax Sparse Attention and native multimodal encoder

Full datasheets, every price and sourceInkling-Small ↗MiniMax M3 ↗

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.

Inkling-Small 30.2/100Rank 29/49

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

MiniMax M3 22.1/100Rank 39/49

Survived 0 of 3
Foresight: complete playing field
Level 36 ptsTurn 7 / 20

Points per level

LevelInkling-SmallMiniMax M3
Level 1Second Thoughts
9 ptsOut of lives
17 ptsOut of lives
Level 2Pressure Pot
6 ptsOut of lives
3 ptsOut of lives
Level 3Hide or Flight
8 ptsOut of lives
6 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.

Inkling-Small 34.7/100Rank 34/50

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

MiniMax M3 31.4/100Rank 36/50

Cleared 2 of 5
Latch: complete playing field
Level 58.8 ptsTurn 11 / 40

Points per level

LevelInkling-SmallMiniMax M3
Level 1Hold the door
5.2 ptsCleared
5.2 ptsCleared
Level 2Crossfeed
9.8 ptsCleared
9.4 ptsClearedFinished early · 1 beacon left
Level 3Relay vault
2.8 ptsFinished early
0.2 ptsFinished early
Level 4Passing bay
8 ptsFinished early
14.2 ptsFinished early
Level 5Second thoughts
18 ptsCleared
8.8 ptsFinished early

Newton's Mirror

Same task instructions

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

The judgment

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.

MiniMax M3

The centered sphere, aligned left wall image, smaller lower-left continuation and partially occluded floor image provide recognizable local mirror coherence. Cyan remains airborne, the main sphere resembles white marble, and missing right-side imagery, recursive optics and panel mappings leave the scene substantially incomplete.

Score breakdown

CategoryInkling-SmallMiniMax M3
State at 600 ms14.0/257.0/25
Camera and placement3.0/1514.5/15
Reflections8.0/12022.0/120
Materials and scale2.5/105.0/10
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

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.

MiniMax M3

The oversized coral M silhouette dominates clearly, with an expressive charcoal face and appealing miniature body. Limbs connect coherently and the cube reads clearly. The lowered left hand only loosely suggests the requested hip pose. Thin highlights and simple gradients provide limited sculptural volume; the cube's glow and grounding shadow are restrained.

Score breakdown

CategoryInkling-SmallMiniMax M3
Task & likeness2.5/108.0/10
Anatomy & construction1.5/106.0/10
Space & placement3.5/107.0/10
Light & reflections3.0/106.0/10
Purposeful detail4.5/104.0/10
Artistry & character3.0/104.0/10
Materials & effects3.5/104.0/10
Visual integrity2.0/108.0/10

Benchmark task

Inkling-Small

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

MiniMax M3

A small robot with an oversized angular head presents a glowing object. The scene tests character proportions, gesture and contrasting materials.

Mona Lisa

Same task instructions

Precise visual recall and portrait reconstruction.

The judgment

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.

MiniMax M3

The centered portrait, dark hair and muted palette suggest Mona Lisa, but characteristic likeness and pose are poorly reproduced. The broad oval face lacks her subtle smile; rounded shoulders and a lone mittenlike hand leave the crossed-arm construction unresolved. Warm shading supplies some volume, while blurred landscape bands, generic clothing and indistinct features limit the drawing.

Score breakdown

CategoryInkling-SmallMiniMax M3
Task & likeness2.5/102.5/10
Anatomy & construction2.5/101.5/10
Space & placement3.0/102.5/10
Light & reflections2.5/103.0/10
Purposeful detail2.0/101.5/10
Artistry & character2.5/101.5/10
Materials & effects2.0/102.0/10
Visual integrity3.0/102.0/10

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

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.

MiniMax M3

A cheerful, coherent sunset illustration with framing palms, warm gradients and an aligned sun reflection. Animals and beach toys add character, but their construction remains basic. The sailboat appears suspended above the water horizon, while absent cast shadows weaken foreground contact. Clean geometric shapes provide polish without substantial texture or depth.

Score breakdown

CategoryInkling-SmallMiniMax M3
Task & likeness3.5/108.0/10
Anatomy & construction3.0/104.5/10
Space & placement3.0/106.0/10
Light & reflections3.0/107.0/10
Purposeful detail3.0/106.0/10
Artistry & character3.0/105.0/10
Materials & effects2.5/105.0/10
Visual integrity2.0/105.5/10

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

Inkling-Small

This benchmark has not been assessed yet.

MiniMax M3

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

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.

MiniMax M3

The raccoon sits above the dog's back, and the dog reaches toward the jet ski controls. Expressive faces and a vivid sunset make the scene appealing. Construction is simplified: the dog's paws and steering grip are ambiguous, the hull is shallow, and blurred wake patches give limited water displacement. Sunset glow exceeds the lighting modeled on the riders.

Score breakdown

CategoryInkling-SmallMiniMax M3
Task & likeness4.0/108.0/10
Anatomy & construction3.0/105.5/10
Space & placement4.0/106.5/10
Light & reflections5.0/106.0/10
Purposeful detail5.5/107.0/10
Artistry & character4.0/106.0/10
Materials & effects5.0/106.0/10
Visual integrity5.0/107.0/10

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

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.

MiniMax M3

The pelican's long bill, pouch and curved neck read clearly, and the warm sunset gives the composition appeal. Bicycle construction weakens the riding action: feet do not convincingly engage the pedals, crank connections are unclear, and body support is unresolved. Clean silhouettes and orderly spokes provide a competent illustrative finish.

Score breakdown

CategoryInkling-SmallMiniMax M3
Task & likeness4.0/108.0/10
Anatomy & construction3.0/105.5/10
Space & placement3.0/106.5/10
Light & reflections3.0/106.5/10
Purposeful detail4.5/107.5/10
Artistry & character5.0/106.5/10
Materials & effects4.5/106.0/10
Visual integrity3.0/106.5/10

Benchmark task

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