Qwen 3 14BvsPhi-4 14B
Complete comparison between Qwen 3 14B (14B parameters, Alibaba) and Phi-4 14B (14B, Microsoft). VRAM required for each quantization, tokens per second measured on 4 reference GPUs, use-case verdict, license, and installation commands. All figures are calculated from catalog data—no copy-pasting between pages.
In brief
| Feature | Qwen 3 14B | Phi-4 14B |
|---|---|---|
| Settings | 14B | 14B |
| Family | Qwen | Phi |
| Author | Alibaba | Microsoft |
| Origin | CN | US |
| License | Apache 2.0 | MIT |
| Context | 131,072 tokens | 16,384 tokens |
| Output | April 2025 | December 2024 |
Memory footprint
Approximate VRAM required for inference with an average context window. The winner (in green) is the model that uses less — smaller models have the edge.
| Quantization | Qwen 3 14B | Phi-4 14B |
|---|---|---|
| Q4_K_M (lightweight) | 9 GB | 9 GB |
| Q5_K_M (balanced) | 11 GB | 11 GB |
| Q8 (near-lossless) | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| FP16 (max quality) | 28 GB | 28 GB |
| CPU-only RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB |
Estimated speed (tokens/second)
Estimates based on the best quantization that can fit on each GPU. Actual figures depend on the prompt, context, and engine (llama.cpp, vLLM, MLX). Methodology.
| Reference GPU | Qwen 3 14B | Phi-4 14B |
|---|---|---|
| RTX 4090 (24 GB) | 55 tok/s · Q8 | 55 tok/s · Q8 |
| RTX 4080 (16 GB) | 20 tok/s · Q8 | 20 tok/s · Q8 |
| RTX 3060 12GB (12 GB) | 6 tok/s · Q5_K_M | 6 tok/s · Q5_K_M |
| Apple M4 Pro (48 GB) (36 GB) | 20 tok/s · FP16 | 20 tok/s · FP16 |
Verdict by use case
For each common use case, we indicate which of the two is better suited based on its tags, size, and specialization.
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Strengths and weaknesses
Qwen 3 14B
Dense 14B with hybrid thinking. Equals Qwen 2.5 32B Based on STEM/code.
- Dense 14B matching Qwen 2.5 32B Base
- Hybrid thinking
- 131k ctx
- Not yet at the level of specialized reasoners on AIME
Installation
Phi-4 14B
Exceptional reasoning for its size. STEM-focused.
- Best 14B for reasoning in late 2024
- MIT License
- Very strong in math/science
- Good at coding
- 16k context only — major limitation
- Less multilingual than Qwen
Installation
Frequently asked questions
Which model runs best on RTX 4090 (24 GB): Qwen 3 14B or Phi-4 14B?
On an RTX 4090, Qwen 3 14B runs at Q8 (~55 tok/s), Phi-4 14B in Q8 (~55 tok/s). In raw throughput, Phi-4 14B wins. See the configurator to test your exact GPU.
Which uses the least VRAM?
Both require the same VRAM in Q4 (9 GB). The choice then comes down to the license or perceived quality.
Can these models be used in commercial production?
Qwen 3 14B is under Apache 2.0 — free for commercial use. Phi-4 14B is also free under the MIT license. For SaaS, favor Apache 2.0 or MIT.
Which one should you choose in 2026?
Depends on your primary constraint. Smaller / faster: Qwen 3 14B (14B). More capable: Qwen 3 14B (14B). If you're unsure, run it configurator with your GPU and use case — it will decide based on both.
Alternatives to consider
If neither works for you, here are some neighboring models you could explore.