GLM-5.3 vs Qwen3.8 Max (0902): API price comparison (2026)
As of 2026-10-17, By blended price, GLM-5.3 is cheaper — about 1.4× less. GLM-5.3: ¥8 / ¥28 (Official (China)); Qwen3.8 Max (0902): ¥12 / ¥36 (Official (China)), per 1M input/output tokens.
 GLM-5.3 |  Qwen3.8 Max (0902) | |
|---|---|---|
| Blended | $1.94 | $2.69 |
| Cheapest channel | Official (China) | Official (China) |
| AA Intelligence | 44.8 | 45.4 |
| Context | 1M | 1M |
| China usability | ✓CN direct✓Alipay✓ID✗Intl card Official (China) | ✓CN direct✓Alipay✓ID✗Intl card Official (China) |
GLM-5.3
| Channel | Blended | Input | Output | Cached | Access & payment (this channel) | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official (China) ¥8 / ¥28 | $1.94 | $1.19 | $4.18 | $0.299 | ✓CN direct✓Alipay✓ID✗Intl card conditions source2026-10-17 | models.dev ✓ | open.bigmodel.cn 2026-10-17 |
| OpenRouter $1.4 / $4.4 | $2.15 | $1.4 | $4.4 | $0.26 | ✓CN direct✓Alipay✗ID✗Intl card conditions source2026-10-17 | Original vendor endpoint: Z.AI Quantized min $0.55 / $1.505 (fp4, Inceptron) | openrouter.ai 2026-10-17 |
Qwen3.8 Max (0902)
| Channel | Blended | Input | Output | Cached | Access & payment (this channel) | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official (China) ¥12 / ¥36 | $2.69 | $1.79 | $5.37 | ✓CN direct✓Alipay✓ID✗Intl card conditions source2026-10-17 | 华北2（北京），0<Token≤1M；Batch 半价 models.dev ✓ | help.aliyun.com 2026-10-17 | |
| OpenRouter $2 / $6 | $3 | $2 | $6 | $0.25 | ✓CN direct✓Alipay✗ID✗Intl card conditions source2026-10-17 | Original vendor endpoint: Alibaba | openrouter.ai 2026-10-17 |
FAQ
Which is cheaper, GLM-5.3 or Qwen3.8 Max (0902)?
As of 2026-10-17, By blended price, GLM-5.3 is cheaper — about 1.4× less. GLM-5.3: ¥8 / ¥28 (Official (China)); Qwen3.8 Max (0902): ¥12 / ¥36 (Official (China)), per 1M input/output tokens.
What are the context windows of GLM-5.3 and Qwen3.8 Max (0902)?
GLM-5.3: 1M; Qwen3.8 Max (0902): 1M.
Can I use GLM-5.3 and Qwen3.8 Max (0902) directly from mainland China?
GLM-5.3（Official (China)）direct yes, Alipay yes; Qwen3.8 Max (0902)（Official (China)）direct yes, Alipay yes. Via each cheapest channel.
Which is stronger, GLM-5.3 or Qwen3.8 Max (0902)?
Artificial Analysis Intelligence Index (via OpenRouter rankings, 2026-10-17): GLM-5.3 44.8, Qwen3.8 Max (0902) 45.4.
How much can I save switching between them?
Blended (0.75×in+0.25×out): GLM-5.3 $1.94 vs Qwen3.8 Max (0902) $2.69, a difference of $0.746 per 1M tokens.