Z.ai: GLM 5.3 vs OpenAI: GPT-5.6 Terra
z-ai vs openai
Verdict
On price, Z.ai: GLM 5.3 is cheaper (blended cost is about 0.09× that of OpenAI: GPT-5.6 Terra).
On capability, Z.ai: GLM 5.3 has the higher intelligence index (45) — better for complex reasoning.
Verdict: pick Z.ai: GLM 5.3 on a budget, or Z.ai: GLM 5.3 for output quality. Full details below.
Side-by-Side Specs
| Metric | Z.ai: GLM 5.3 | OpenAI: GPT-5.6 Terra |
|---|---|---|
| Input /1M | $0.08 | $2.00 |
| Output /1M | $1.40 | $12.00 |
| Blended (3:1) | $0.41 | $4.50 |
| Context | 1.0M | 1.1M |
| Intelligence | 45 | 42 |
| Coding | 75 | 77 |
| Math | — | — |
| Speed | 69 tok/s | 126 tok/s |
| CPS Grade | S | A |
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Z.ai: GLM 5.3 or OpenAI: GPT-5.6 Terra?
On price, Z.ai: GLM 5.3 is cheaper (blended cost is about 0.09× that of OpenAI: GPT-5.6 Terra). Z.ai: GLM 5.3: $0.079 in / $1.4 out; OpenAI: GPT-5.6 Terra: $2 in / $12 out (per 1M tokens).
Which is smarter, Z.ai: GLM 5.3 or OpenAI: GPT-5.6 Terra?
On capability, Z.ai: GLM 5.3 has the higher intelligence index (45) — better for complex reasoning. Coding index: Z.ai: GLM 5.3 75 vs OpenAI: GPT-5.6 Terra 77.
Which one should I choose?
Verdict: pick Z.ai: GLM 5.3 on a budget, or Z.ai: GLM 5.3 for output quality. Full details below.