Google Willow vs IBM Eagle r3 Specs, Pricing & Performance [2026]
Quick Verdict
Google Willow leads on 2Q gate fidelity (99.88%). IBM Eagle r3 offers more physical qubits (127 qubits).
Specification Comparison
| Metric | Google Willow | IBM Eagle r3 |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Qubits | 105 | 127 ✓ |
| Technology | Superconducting | Superconducting |
| 2Q Gate Fidelity | 99.88% ✓ | 99.50% |
| 1Q Gate Fidelity | 99.97% | 99.97% |
| Readout Fidelity | 99.90% ✓ | 99.80% |
| Quantum Volume | — | 128 ✓ |
| CLOPS | 100,000 ✓ | 2,500 |
| T1 (Relaxation) | 100 µs | 250 µs ✓ |
| T2 (Dephasing) | 80 µs | 150 µs ✓ |
| 1Q Gate Time | 25 ns ✓ | 60 ns |
| 2Q Gate Time | 68 ns ✓ | 660 ns |
| Connectivity | Grid (deg 4) | Heavy Hex (deg 3) |
| Max Circuit Depth | 1,000 | 4,000 ✓ |
| Max Shots | 1,000,000 ✓ | 100,000 |
| Dynamic Circuits | No | Yes |
| Error Mitigation | Available | Available |
| Cloud Platforms | 0 platforms | 3 platforms |
Green bold values with a checkmark indicate the better result for each metric.
Pricing Comparison
Example: 10-qubit, 50-depth circuit, 1,000 shots — estimated cost on cheapest platform: Google Willow: N/A vs IBM Eagle r3: $0.00
Superconducting Google Willow
Superconducting IBM Eagle r3
| Platform | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|
| IBM Quantum | $0.9600/sec | Available |
| Best IBM Quantum | Free tier | Available |
| qBraid | $0.9600/sec | Available |
Use Case Recommendations
Higher 2Q gate fidelity (99.88%) means fewer errors in VQE/UCCSD circuits.
More qubits (127 qubits) allows encoding larger problem instances.
Higher CLOPS (100,000) means faster circuit execution for high-repetition workloads.
Supports dynamic circuits and mid-circuit measurement required for active error correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Google Willow and IBM Eagle r3?
Google Willow leads on 2Q gate fidelity (99.88%). IBM Eagle r3 offers more physical qubits (127 qubits).
Which is better for quantum chemistry, Google Willow or IBM Eagle r3?
For quantum chemistry simulations (VQE, UCCSD), Google Willow is preferred due to its higher 2Q gate fidelity (99.88% vs 99.50%). Higher gate fidelity directly reduces circuit error rates in chemistry algorithms.
How do the prices compare between Google Willow and IBM Eagle r3?
Google Willow is available from no public cloud access. IBM Eagle r3 is available from Free tier on IBM Quantum. Note that pricing models differ — per-shot pricing is directly comparable while AQT and HQC models depend on circuit structure.
Which QPU has better connectivity, Google Willow or IBM Eagle r3?
Google Willow uses Grid connectivity (degree 4) while IBM Eagle r3 uses Heavy Hex connectivity (degree 3).
What are the coherence times for Google Willow vs IBM Eagle r3?
Google Willow: T1=100 µs, T2=80 µs. IBM Eagle r3: T1=250 µs, T2=150 µs. IBM Eagle r3 has longer coherence times, which generally allows for deeper circuits before errors accumulate.
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