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Best models for Hermes

Hermes runs your skills locally and leans on the model for planning and skill use. These are the models that pair best with it right now, grouped by what you actually want to spend and ranked on real agentic-coding performance.

Which model should you run?

As of June 2026, the best model for Hermes logoHermes comes down to one question: do you have a ChatGPT Codex logoCodex subscription?

If you do, run two GPT models on your plan instead of paying per token:

  • OpenAIGPT-5.4 mini as your everyday daily driver
  • OpenAIGPT-5.4 for your hardest tasks

If not, route everything through OpenRouter with one API key and pick by need:

  • GeminiGemini 3 Flash for fast, cheap, high-volume runs
  • DeepSeekDeepSeek V4 for decent quality, even cheaper
  • ClaudeClaude Sonnet 4.6 for great quality, still cheaper than 5.5 and Opus
  • MoonshotAIKimi K2.6 for a strong agentic coder at rock-bottom prices

We rank OpenAIGPT-5.4 first because it is the best value for everyday Hermes logoHermes work: strong agentic coding at a mid-tier price, on a Codex logoCodex subscription or the OpenAI API.

OpenAIGPT-5.5 is the more capable model and tops CursorCursorBench 3.1, scoring 59.2% at medium effort and 64.3% at extra-high, the best result on the board.

A note on cost: OpenAIGPT-5.5 is about 2x more expensive than OpenAIGPT-5.4, but it uses tokens much more efficiently, so on a real task it can cost the same or only a little more. Test both on your own workload before you pick one.

For cheaper high-volume work, drop to OpenAIGPT-5.4 Mini, GeminiGemini 3 Flash, or DeepSeekDeepSeek V4. Reach for ClaudeClaude Opus 4.8 only when budget is no object.

We also have more in-depth Hermes rankings:Best cheap models for HermesBest free models for HermesBest open-source models for Hermes
The ranking
Updated June 2026
Best for most people

What most Hermes users should run: strong agentic coding at mid-tier prices, on the OpenAI API or a ChatGPT Codex subscription.

#ModelContextInput
  • 1
    1OpenAI
    GPT-5.4OpenAIThe best-value default for everyday work. Run it on a Codex subscription or the OpenAI API.
    Context1.05M
    Input$2.5/M
  • 2
    2OpenAI
    GPT-5.4 MiniOpenAICheap and fast for high-volume edits and sub-agents. Codex subscription or OpenAI API.
    Context400K
    Input$0.75/M
  • 3
    3Claude
    Claude Sonnet 4.6AnthropicA dependable all-rounder for routine runs. Anthropic API or OpenRouter.
    Context1M
    Input$3/M
Best on a budget

Cheap, fast models for high-volume automation and routine edits, at a fraction of flagship prices.

#ModelContextInput
  • 1
    1Gemini
    Gemini 3 FlashGoogle DeepMindThe fastest cheap pick for high-volume runs. Route it through OpenRouter.
    Context1.049M
    Input$0.5/M
  • 2
    2DeepSeek
    DeepSeek V4DeepSeekThe cheapest pick here, and open-source. Route it through OpenRouter.
    Context1.049M
    Input$0.435/M
Maximum capability (unlimited budget)

The most reliable model for hard, multi-step planning. Worth it for high-stakes runs, overkill for everyday work.

#ModelContextInput
  • 1
    1Claude
    Claude Opus 4.8AnthropicThe top pick when budget is no object. Anthropic API only.
    Context1M
    Input$5/M
Intelligence vs. price

Each model's Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index logoArtificial Analysis Intelligence Index score against its blended price per 1M tokens. Toward the top right is more intelligence per dollar.

Full interactive leaderboard on our Intelligence Index page.

Frequently asked questions
What is the best model for Hermes?

For most people, OpenAIGPT-5.4 is the best model for Hermes logoHermes: the best value for everyday agentic coding. OpenAIGPT-5.5 is more capable and tops CursorCursorBench 3.1 (59.2% at medium effort, 64.3% at extra-high), but it uses tokens efficiently enough that the real cost gap is small, so test both on your own workload. ClaudeClaude Sonnet 4.6 is the dependable Anthropic-API pick.

What is the cheapest good model for Hermes?

OpenAIGPT-5.4 Mini at $0.75 per million input tokens is the cheapest GPT that still handles real agent work. GeminiGemini 3 Flash at $0.50 per million is the fastest cheap pick, and DeepSeekDeepSeek V4 is the cheapest overall at $0.435 per million, with open weights if you want them.

How do you actually run each model with Hermes?

GPT models (5.4, 5.4 Mini, and 5.5) run on a ChatGPT Codex logoCodex subscription or the OpenAI API. Claude models (Sonnet 4.6 and Opus 4.8) are Anthropic API only. Everything else, including GeminiGemini 3 Flash and DeepSeekDeepSeek V4, routes through OpenRouter with a single key, the simplest way to switch between non-OpenAI models.

Do you need Claude Opus 4.8 for Hermes?

No. Opus 4.8 is the most capable model for multi-step planning, but it is the most expensive and overkill for everyday Hermes logoHermes work. Most people are better served by OpenAIGPT-5.4 or OpenAIGPT-5.5, dropping to OpenAIGPT-5.4 Mini, GeminiGemini 3 Flash, or DeepSeekDeepSeek V4 for high-volume runs. Reach for Opus only when budget is no object.

More rankings for Hermes
Hermes logo

Best cheap models for Hermes

Hermes runs all day, so the model price is your real subscription fee. These are the best cheap models for Hermes right now: everything costs at most about $0.75 per million input tokens, ranked by how much agent capability survives the price cut.
Hermes logo

Best free models for Hermes

Want to run Hermes without paying per token? OpenRouter serves plenty of capable models at $0 (rate limits apply). These are the best free models for Hermes, grouped by what you run it for: general agent work, coding, and fast high-volume steps.
Hermes logo

Best open-source models for Hermes

Open-weight models you can inspect, fine-tune, and self-host. Ideal for privacy-sensitive or air-gapped Hermes setups. We rank a deep bench here because Hermes routes more than 380 different models in the wild, and most of its real volume goes to open weights.
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  • Agent

    Hermes logoHermes

  • Models

    7

  • Updated

    June 2026
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