IBM Eagle r3 vs IBM Heron r2 Specs, Pricing & Performance [2026]
Quick Verdict
Both QPUs have comparable 2Q gate fidelity (~99.50%). IBM Heron r2 offers more physical qubits (156 qubits).
Specification Comparison
| Metric | IBM Eagle r3 | IBM Heron r2 |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Qubits | 127 | 156 ✓ |
| Technology | Superconducting | Superconducting |
| 2Q Gate Fidelity | 99.50% | 99.50% |
| 1Q Gate Fidelity | 99.97% | 99.97% |
| Readout Fidelity | 99.80% | 99.80% |
| Quantum Volume | 128 | 256 ✓ |
| CLOPS | 2,500 | 5,000 ✓ |
| T1 (Relaxation) | 250 µs | 300 µs ✓ |
| T2 (Dephasing) | 150 µs | 200 µs ✓ |
| 1Q Gate Time | 60 ns | 60 ns |
| 2Q Gate Time | 660 ns ✓ | 680 ns |
| Connectivity | Heavy Hex (deg 3) | Heavy Hex (deg 3) |
| Max Circuit Depth | 4,000 | 6,000 ✓ |
| Max Shots | 100,000 | 100,000 |
| Dynamic Circuits | Yes | Yes |
| Error Mitigation | Available | Available |
| Cloud Platforms | 3 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: IBM Eagle r3: $0.00 vs IBM Heron r2: $8.00
Superconducting IBM Eagle r3
| Platform | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|
| IBM Quantum | $0.9600/sec | Available |
| Best IBM Quantum | Free tier | Available |
| qBraid | $0.9600/sec | Available |
Superconducting IBM Heron r2
| Platform | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Best IBM Quantum | $1.60/sec | Available |
| Strangeworks | $1.60/sec | Available |
| qBraid | $1.60/sec | Available |
Use Case Recommendations
More qubits (156 qubits) allows encoding larger problem instances.
Higher CLOPS (5,000) means faster circuit execution for high-repetition workloads.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between IBM Eagle r3 and IBM Heron r2?
Both QPUs have comparable 2Q gate fidelity (~99.50%). IBM Heron r2 offers more physical qubits (156 qubits).
Which is better for quantum chemistry, IBM Eagle r3 or IBM Heron r2?
For quantum chemistry simulations (VQE, UCCSD), IBM Eagle r3 is preferred due to its higher 2Q gate fidelity (99.50% vs 99.50%). Higher gate fidelity directly reduces circuit error rates in chemistry algorithms.
How do the prices compare between IBM Eagle r3 and IBM Heron r2?
IBM Eagle r3 is available from Free tier on IBM Quantum. IBM Heron r2 is available from $1.60/sec 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, IBM Eagle r3 or IBM Heron r2?
Both IBM Eagle r3 and IBM Heron r2 use Heavy Hex connectivity. The effective connectivity degree is 3 for IBM Eagle r3 and 3 for IBM Heron r2.
What are the coherence times for IBM Eagle r3 vs IBM Heron r2?
IBM Eagle r3: T1=250 µs, T2=150 µs. IBM Heron r2: T1=300 µs, T2=200 µs. IBM Heron r2 has longer coherence times, which generally allows for deeper circuits before errors accumulate.
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