Grok 4.3 or Grok 4.5 — which is better?

On paper, these are two versions of the same xAI model family. In practice, Grok 4.5 looks like the stronger everyday workhorse, while Grok 4.3 is mainly interesting for its larger context window and lower entry threshold in terms of capabilities. Both models are available from Kazakhstan in QueryWise: you can pay in tenge, choose a Russian or Kazakh interface, and get three free questions when you start.

Answer quality: the gap shows in the rankings

In the current QueryWise ranking, Grok 4.3 scores 7.0 out of 10 and ranks No. 19. Grok 4.5 scores 9.2 out of 10 and ranks No. 6. So Grok 4.5 leads in overall accuracy, usefulness, and response consistency with a result of Grok 4.5? No — here we use live values: check the lead using the current score for Grok 4.5 — 9.8 holds first place in the QueryWise ranking.

The difference is especially clear in programming. Grok 4.3 has a score of 6.3, while Grok 4.5 scores 9.4. If you need to write a function, find a Python bug, or explain the structure of an SQL query, the practical choice is clear: Grok 4.5 is more likely to produce a working first draft and account for the task constraints accurately.

The models are closer on reasoning: Grok 4.3 scores 9.1, while Grok 4.5 scores 9.2. This is not a case of one model completely dominating the other. Grok 4.3 can analyze conditions well, identify contradictions, and break a task down step by step. But when a complex chain requires several rules to be kept in mind at once, Grok 4.5 remains the more reliable choice if its current score is higher.

Speed and prices in tenge

QueryWise currently shows a median speed of — for Grok 4.3 and 16 for Grok 4.5. On a short question, a difference of a few seconds may go unnoticed. In a work chat, while debugging code, or when reviewing text step by step, it affects your pace: waiting is frustrating, especially when you have to ask for the answer again.

The two models cost approximately 10 ₸ and 10 ₸ per average question, respectively. This matters: switching to Grok 4.5 does not look like an expensive upgrade at the single-request level. With regular use, the total still depends on the length of the conversation and the complexity of the prompt, so the QueryWise price is an estimate rather than a fixed fee for every task.

For users in Kazakhstan, the process is simple: there is no need to find a foreign card or convert dollars. Payment is made in tenge. Three free starter questions let you compare both models using the same prompt.

Context and task types

Grok 4.3 has a context window of 1M, while Grok 4.5 has 500K. This does not mean Grok 4.3 is automatically better for long documents. The window size is simply the amount of text the model can take into account. The quality of fact retrieval and the ability to retain details matter too.

Grok 4.3 is worth trying when you need to analyze a large contract, a long correspondence thread, a requirements archive, or several substantial files in one conversation. This is particularly useful for preliminary analysis: ask it to highlight contentious sections, create a list of questions, and then review individual excerpts.

Grok 4.5 is preferable for tasks where accurate execution and code matter. For example, it is better suited to refactoring a small web service, writing API tests, or explaining why a database query returns duplicates. The difference is noticeable for learning too: Grok 4.5 is more useful when you need to solve a constrained problem and then check the reasoning, while Grok 4.3 works well for detailed topic breakdowns and large amounts of study material.

We added it on release day and immediately ran it through the same scenarios: code, logic, long-context work, and questions in Russian. The impression matched the ranking: Grok 4.5 more often needed fewer corrections after its first answer.

An honest verdict

For programming, the winner is clear: Grok 4.5, if its current score of 9.4 remains above 6.3. For complex reasoning, also compare 9.2 with 9.1; with the current values, the model with the higher result has the edge, and the overall ranking confirms Grok 4.5 as the choice.

Grok 4.3 makes sense if you need its 1M context window, especially for large documents and long research conversations. But that is not a universal reason to accept a weaker overall result. If your questions are short, practical, and related to code, Grok 4.5 looks like the more sensible option. Its price of 10 ₸ does not create a noticeable barrier compared with 10 ₸ for Grok 4.3.

In QueryWise, you can ask both models the same question and see where they agree and where they diverge. This is more useful than an advertising promise: on a disputed topic, you immediately see which parts of the answer need checking. Grok 4.5 is currently ahead on the live score, but both models are assistants, not medical, legal, or financial advice.