GLM-5.3 API pricing & setup
As of 2026-10-17, the cheapest GLM-5.3 channel is Official (China): ¥8 input / ¥28 output per 1M tokens (blended $1.94). Context 1M.
→ GLM hub: all prices, free access, setup
Context: 1M · Max output: 944K · Modalities: text · Listed: 2026-08-18
Channel comparison (per 1M tokens)
| 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 |
Access & payment conditions are verified per channel (see the column above); unverified never counts as met.
Free & deals
- OpenCode (official account): GLM 5.3 Flash is now free in OpenCode · official
How to use GLM-5.3 in Claude Code / Codex / OpenCode
Official helper: npx @z_ai/coding-helper
Check the provider docs for exact model IDs. Source
Cheaper alternatives
GLM-5V Turbo ($1.9) · Doubao Seed 2.1 Pro ($1.79) · Doubao Seed Evolving ($1.79) ·
Compare
Kimi K3 vs GLM-5.3 · GLM-5.3 vs Qwen3.8 Max (0902) · GLM-5.3 Flash vs Qwen3.8 Flash · Compare any two →
Rankings: Cheapest LLM APIs · LLM APIs usable from mainland China · All Zhipu GLM (Z.ai) models
Price history
- 2026-10-17 · OpenRouter · GLM-5.3 cached: $0.078 → $0.26 (OpenRouter basis change: model list price → Z.AI (original vendor); not a provider price change)
- 2026-10-17 · OpenRouter · GLM-5.3 output: $4.8 → $4.4 (OpenRouter basis change: model list price → Z.AI (original vendor); not a provider price change)
- 2026-10-17 · OpenRouter · GLM-5.3 input: $0.079 → $1.4 (OpenRouter basis change: model list price → Z.AI (original vendor); not a provider price change)
- 2026-10-17 · Official (China) · GLM-5.3 listed · ¥8 / ¥28
FAQ
How much does the GLM-5.3 API cost?
Cheapest channel (Official (China)): ¥8 input / ¥28 output per 1M tokens, verified 2026-10-17.
Can I use GLM-5.3 from China?
Official (China): direct yes, Alipay yes, ID required yes, overseas card no; OpenRouter: direct yes, Alipay yes, ID required no, overseas card no
Is GLM-5.3 free?
OpenCode (official account): GLM 5.3 Flash is now free in OpenCode
What is GLM-5.3's context window?
1M tokens