Z.ai: GLM 5.3 vs Qwen: Qwen3.8 Max
z-ai vs qwen
Verdict
On price, Z.ai: GLM 5.3 is cheaper (blended cost is about 0.14× that of Qwen: Qwen3.8 Max).
On capability, Qwen: Qwen3.8 Max has the higher intelligence index (45) — better for complex reasoning.
Verdict: pick Z.ai: GLM 5.3 on a budget, or Qwen: Qwen3.8 Max for output quality. Full details below.
Side-by-Side Specs
| Metric | Z.ai: GLM 5.3 | Qwen: Qwen3.8 Max |
|---|---|---|
| Input /1M | $0.08 | $2.00 |
| Output /1M | $1.40 | $6.00 |
| Blended (3:1) | $0.41 | $3.00 |
| Context | 1.0M | 1.0M |
| Intelligence | 45 | 45 |
| Coding | 75 | 76 |
| Math | — | — |
| Speed | 69 tok/s | 39 tok/s |
| CPS Grade | S | A |
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Z.ai: GLM 5.3 or Qwen: Qwen3.8 Max?
On price, Z.ai: GLM 5.3 is cheaper (blended cost is about 0.14× that of Qwen: Qwen3.8 Max). Z.ai: GLM 5.3: $0.079 in / $1.4 out; Qwen: Qwen3.8 Max: $2 in / $6 out (per 1M tokens).
Which is smarter, Z.ai: GLM 5.3 or Qwen: Qwen3.8 Max?
On capability, Qwen: Qwen3.8 Max has the higher intelligence index (45) — better for complex reasoning. Coding index: Z.ai: GLM 5.3 75 vs Qwen: Qwen3.8 Max 76.
Which one should I choose?
Verdict: pick Z.ai: GLM 5.3 on a budget, or Qwen: Qwen3.8 Max for output quality. Full details below.