ChatGPT vs Z.ai (GLM) comparison

By starting price alone, ChatGPT is $10 cheaper. But price is not everything, so check the highlighted rows in the table below.

ChatGPT and Z.ai (GLM) compared side by side in AI.

CurrencyUSDKRWEUR

ChatGPT

The most widely used general-purpose AI chatbot. Chat, writing, coding, image generation and web search in one place

What is good

  • No. 1 in users, so plenty of guides and tips
  • Widest range of features
  • Polished app and voice chat

What could be better

  • Tight usage limits on the free plan
  • Top features need the expensive Pro plans

ChatGPT official site

Z.ai (GLM)

The GLM model service from China's Z.ai (formerly Zhipu AI). In August 2026 it released GLM-5.3, strong at coding and agents, with open weights, making it a leading open model

What is good

  • Top-tier open coding model with released weights
  • Coding Plan works in 20+ tools including Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode and Cline
  • Off-peak usage is deducted at 50%

What could be better

  • Officially supported languages are mainly English and Chinese (no official Korean materials)
  • GLM-5.3 uses its own license that adds a security review condition for MaaS companies with revenue over $10 billion

Z.ai (GLM) official site

At a glance

Highlighted rows are where they differ.

ItemChatGPTVisit siteZ.ai (GLM)Visit site
Starting price$8+Official USD price$18+Official USD price
Free tierFree plan availableFree plan available
Korean supportGoodLimited
Main models
  • GPT-6 (Sol)
  • GPT-6 Luna
  • GPT-6 Pro (Astra)
  • GPT-6.1 Sol
  • Image: ChatGPT Images 2.5
  • GLM-5.3 (about 753B)
  • GLM-5.3-Flash (about 321B)
  • GLM-5.3-FlashX
  • GLM-5.2
  • GLM-4.6V (vision)
  • Free API: GLM-4.7-Flash/GLM-4.5-Flash
TypeAI servicesAI services
CategoryChatbot/Assistant, Image Generation, CodingOpen Models, Coding, Developer API
CompanyOpenAI, United StatesZ.ai (formerly Zhipu AI), China
Plans
  • Free
  • Go $8
  • Plus $20
  • Pro $100/$200/$500
  • Business $25 (annual $20)
  • Enterprise/Edu
  • Web chat chat.z.ai (whether free needs checking)
  • GLM Coding Plan from $18/mo (Lite, Pro/Max prices unverified)
  • API pay-as-you-go (per 1 million tokens): GLM-5.3 input $1.40
  • output $4.40, GLM-5.3-Flash $0.15/$0.50, GLM-5.3-FlashX $0.37/$1.25
  • Weights released free
Pros
  • No. 1 in users, so plenty of guides and tips
  • Widest range of features
  • Polished app and voice chat
  • Top-tier open coding model with released weights
  • Coding Plan works in 20+ tools including Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode and Cline
  • Off-peak usage is deducted at 50%
  • The Flash-series API is cheap and some free models are offered
Cons
  • Tight usage limits on the free plan
  • Top features need the expensive Pro plans
  • Officially supported languages are mainly English and Chinese (no official Korean materials)
  • GLM-5.3 uses its own license that adds a security review condition for MaaS companies with revenue over $10 billion
  • Coding Plan Pro and Max prices are not in the public documents
  • It is a Chinese company's service, so the data policy needs checking

Prices and benefits may change. Check the official site before you pay.

Prices converted at 1 USD = ₩1,327.84 (2026-10-20). Original price shown in brackets. Taxes as listed by each provider.

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