Step 1: Narrow to 2-3 Candidates
Use our Rankings and category roundups (like Best LLM for Coding) to narrow a long list down to a realistic shortlist before doing deeper comparison work.
Step 2: Test with Real Tasks, Not Generic Prompts
Run the same 3-5 examples of your actual work through each candidate — a generic test prompt won't reveal how a model handles your specific domain or format.
Step 3: Weigh Cost and Speed Alongside Capability
The "best" model on pure capability isn't automatically the right choice once cost and speed at your actual volume are factored in — see our LLM Cost Calculator for estimating this.
Related Pages
Frequently Asked
How many models should I realistically compare?
2-3 realistic candidates is usually sufficient once you've narrowed from a longer list using rankings or category roundups.
Should I use a generic test prompt for comparison?
No, use examples of your actual, real task — generic prompts don't reveal how a model handles your specific domain.
Where can I find direct model comparisons already written?
See our Comparisons hub for hundreds of existing head-to-head pages.
How do I factor in cost, not just capability?
See our LLM Cost Calculator and Pricing directory for estimating real cost at your expected usage.