Deepgram Nova 3 vs Dolphin 2.9.3 72B
Compare Deepgram Nova 3 and Dolphin 2.9.3 72B: pricing, performance, context window, latency, and best use cases. Side-by-side comparison on XALEN.
Updated 2026-05-21 · By Abhishek Raj · Our methodology
| Feature | Deepgram Nova 3 | Dolphin 2.9.3 72B |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Speech | Open Source |
| Parameters | ~1B | 72B |
| Context Window | Streaming | 128K |
| Input Price | $0.004/min/1M tokens | $0.04/1M tokens |
| Output Price | N/A/1M tokens | $0.08/1M tokens |
| Latency | ~100ms | ~350ms |
Choose Deepgram Nova 3 when:
- ✓ Real-time transcription
- ✓ Call centers
- ✓ Meeting notes
Ultra-low latency, Streaming native, Very cheap
Choose Dolphin 2.9.3 72B when:
- ✓ Creative writing
- ✓ Unrestricted generation
- ✓ Research
Uncensored, Strong instruction following, Versatile
Verdict: Deepgram Nova 3 vs Dolphin 2.9.3 72B
For cost efficiency, Deepgram Nova 3 wins at $0.004/min/1M input tokens. For speed, Deepgram Nova 3 is faster at ~100ms. Deepgram Nova 3 excels at Real-time transcription while Dolphin 2.9.3 72B is better for Creative writing. Both are available on XALEN through a single API — try them in the Playground to see which fits your workload.
Detailed Analysis
Pricing Comparison
Deepgram Nova 3 costs $0.004/min/1M input tokens and N/A/1M output tokens. Dolphin 2.9.3 72B costs $0.04 input and $0.08 output. Deepgram Nova 3 is 10.0x cheaper on input tokens. XALEN offers batch processing at 50% discount on both models.
Performance & Context
Deepgram Nova 3 has a Streaming context window with ~100ms latency. Dolphin 2.9.3 72B offers 128K context at ~350ms. Both have identical context windows.
Best For
Deepgram Nova 3 (Speech) is optimized for: Real-time transcription, Call centers, Meeting notes. Dolphin 2.9.3 72B (Open Source) works best for: Creative writing, Unrestricted generation, Research.
Try Both on XALEN
Both models are available through XALEN's OpenAI-compatible API. Switch between them by changing the model parameter:
from xalen import XALEN
client = XALEN(api_key="xln_test_YOUR_KEY")
# Use Deepgram Nova 3
response_a = client.chat.completions.create(
model="deepgram-nova-3",
messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Your question here"}]
)
# Use Dolphin 2.9.3 72B
response_b = client.chat.completions.create(
model="dolphin-2-9-3-72b",
messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Your question here"}]
)Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Deepgram Nova 3 or Dolphin 2.9.3 72B?
Deepgram Nova 3 (Speech, ~1B) offers Ultra-low latency. Dolphin 2.9.3 72B (Open Source, 72B) offers Uncensored. Choose Deepgram Nova 3 for Real-time transcription or Dolphin 2.9.3 72B for Creative writing.
How much does Deepgram Nova 3 cost vs Dolphin 2.9.3 72B?
Deepgram Nova 3: $0.004/min/1M input, N/A/1M output. Dolphin 2.9.3 72B: $0.04/1M input, $0.08/1M output. Both available on XALEN with batch processing at 50% discount.
Can I use both models on XALEN?
Yes. XALEN provides 200+ models through a single OpenAI-compatible API. Switch between Deepgram Nova 3 and Dolphin 2.9.3 72B by changing the model parameter. No code changes needed.
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Last updated: 2026-05-21. Pricing and specifications may change. Check pricing page for latest rates.