AI Index

GLM-5.3vsQwen3.8 Max

Both language models, compared at each maker’s own API list prices. Every figure links to its source.

Compare at your usage

Every model priced for the same request
Prompt per request
Cache hits

8,000 tokens in, 2,000 out

GLM-5.3 on Z.ai APIQwen3.8 Max on Alibaba Cloud Model Studio
Rate appliedBase rateBase rate
Inputper 1M tokens$1.40 $1.65
Cache readper 1M tokens$0.26 $0.206
Outputper 1M tokens$4.40 $4.951
Cost per request$0.020$0.0231
Per 1,000 requests$20.00$23.10

Every model is priced for the same request at its maker’s own list prices (each with its source and date), so bold marks the cheapest. A model that can’t serve the request is named, not ranked; a condition its seller doesn’t price says which rate was used.

Cost per request as prompts grow

2K tokens out, list price on each maker’s API.

0$0.50$1.00$1.500250K500K750K1Mprompt tokens per request8KGLM-5.3$0.020 at 8KQwen3.8 Max$0.0231 at 8K
  • GLM-5.3 · Z.ai API
  • Qwen3.8 Max · Alibaba Cloud Model Studio

Where each stands among all scored models

Each line runs from the lowest to the highest score on the board; the tick is the median.

Epoch Capabilities Index#29 vs #27 of 118Qwen3.8 Max: 157.4GLM-5.3: 156.9LMArena Text#23 vs #19 of 163Qwen3.8 Max: 1,482GLM-5.3: 1,481LMArena Text · Coding#29 vs #23 of 163Qwen3.8 Max: 1,525GLM-5.3: 1,520LMArena Text · Chinese#13 vs #12 of 161Qwen3.8 Max: 1,538GLM-5.3: 1,538
  • GLM-5.3
  • Qwen3.8 Max

Key differences

GLM-5.3Qwen3.8 Max
InputMaker’s official API · global · USD
$1.40 / 1M tokens Pricing · as of Nov 1, 2026
$1.65 / 1M tokens Alibaba Cloud Model Studio pricing · as of Nov 2, 2026
OutputMaker’s official API · global · USD
$4.40 / 1M tokens Pricing · as of Nov 1, 2026
$4.951 / 1M tokens Alibaba Cloud Model Studio pricing · as of Nov 2, 2026
InputMaker’s official API · china · CNY
¥8.00 / 1M tokens 智谱 BigModel：API 定价in Chinese · as of Nov 2, 2026
¥12.00 / 1M tokens 阿里云百炼：模型价格in Chinese · as of Nov 2, 2026
OutputMaker’s official API · china · CNY
¥28.00 / 1M tokens 智谱 BigModel：API 定价in Chinese · as of Nov 2, 2026
¥36.00 / 1M tokens 阿里云百炼：模型价格in Chinese · as of Nov 2, 2026
Max output
128,000 智谱 BigModel：模型概览in Chinese · as of Nov 4, 2026
131,072 Qwen3.8 Max model · as of Nov 1, 2026
Input modalities
Text Z.ai GLM-5.3 overview · as of Nov 1, 2026
Text, Image, Video Qwen3.8 Max model · as of Nov 1, 2026

These differences use verified vendor specifications or each maker’s official API on the same region, currency, meter and billing conditions. Different conditions remain side by side in the full table; they do not establish which model is cheaper. Declared features describe support, not measured quality or a recommendation. Missing evidence does not mean a feature is unsupported.

Full comparison

GLM-5.3 Zhipu AI Qwen3.8 Max Alibaba Qwen
Overview
ReleasedAug 18, 2026 Aug 2, 2026
Open weightsYes —
Specs
Context1M 1M
Max inputNot stated 991.81K
Max output128K 131.07K
Input modalitiesText Text, Image, Video
Output modalitiesText Text
ReasoningYes Yes
Reasoning effortslow, high, max low, medium, xhigh
Reasoning can be off— Yes
Max thinking budgetNot stated 262.14K
Tool useYes Yes
Structured outputYes Yes
Pricing · per 1M tokens
Input price$1.40 $1.65
Output price$4.40 $4.951
Cache read price$0.26 $0.206Also priced under other conditions: Explicit cache
Cache write price— $2.063Explicit cache
Blended price (3 input : 1 output)$2.15 $2.47525
Cited scores
Epoch Capabilities Index156.9 157.4
LMArena Text1,481 max effort1,482
LMArena Text · Coding1,520 max effort1,525
LMArena Vision— 1,313
LMArena Text · Chinese1,538 max effort1,538
Epoch AI · GPQA Diamond90.9% max effort92.7% xhigh effort
Epoch AI · FrontierMath Tiers 1–368.8% max effort74.7% xhigh effort

Headline prices may come from different channels, regions or tiers. Check each source before choosing a model; missing facts stay blank.

Model details and sources

Cited scores