Best Models Tier List

Matthew Berman
Matthew BermanMar 28, 2026

Why It Matters

Understanding which language models excel or lag helps enterprises allocate AI budgets wisely and anticipate shifts in the competitive landscape.

Key Takeaways

  • Claude tops the list, deemed “unbelievable” across tasks
  • Chinese open‑source models receive praise but often limited by availability
  • Gemini praised for affordability, positioned as reliable workhorse model
  • Llama and Mistral fall to D‑tier, seen as outdated
  • Quen’s potential hampered by company drama, downgraded to B‑tier

Summary

The video presents a tier‑list ranking of contemporary large‑language models, offering a quick‑fire assessment of each model’s strengths and shortcomings. The host walks through a spectrum of offerings—from industry giants to emerging open‑source projects—assigning them to tiers ranging from S to D based on personal experience and perceived performance. Key insights include Claude earning an S‑tier for its versatility, while ChatGPT lands in C‑tier for being a jack‑of‑all‑trades but master of none. Chinese models such as Miniax and Quen receive commendation for open‑weight releases, yet their future prospects are clouded by corporate drama, resulting in a B‑tier rating for Quen. Gemini is highlighted as a cost‑effective workhorse (B‑tier), whereas legacy models like Llama and newer entrants like Mistral fall to D‑tier, deemed outdated or misaligned with the reviewer’s needs. Notable remarks feature the host describing Claude as “unbelievable,” praising Gemini’s pricing, and lamenting Quen’s stalled development due to internal issues. The Maverick models are mentioned only briefly, noting accusations of benchmark manipulation that prevented their release. The tier‑list serves as a practical guide for businesses evaluating AI partners, underscoring the trade‑off between performance, openness, and cost. It also signals growing confidence in open‑source Chinese offerings, while reminding adopters to watch for stability and long‑term support.

Original Description

Follow me ► x.com/matthewberman
Media/Sponsorship Inquiries ► https://bit.ly/44TC45V

Comments

Want to join the conversation?

Loading comments...