Z.ai
Z.ai is Zhipu's home for its GLM models: a free web chat at chat.z.ai and the GLM Coding Plan, which runs GLM in ZCode, Claude Code and 20+ other coding tools. Plans add weekly credits, faster speeds and MCP tools.
#23 in AI AssistantsAI ChatbotsAI Coding AssistantsFree plan
Who it's for
Best for
Developers who want GLM in Claude Code or OpenCode for less
Engineers seeking an economical alternative to Claude and OpenAI coding plans
Not for
Anyone who needs fast replies for quick back-and-forth
Heavy users who run agents all day
Free plan$0
Lite$18/mo
Pro$80/mo
Max$168/mo
Features
GLM Coding Plan
One plan unlocks GLM-5.3 in 20+ agent tools, including ZCode, Claude Code, Codex, Cursor and OpenCode.
ZCode
The official agent-powered coding environment, tuned for GLM models and paired with the coding plan.
1M context window
Supports a 1M-token context so a single task can run from requirements to deployable code across platforms.
Deep search and research
Cross-source retrieval that pulls information together into structured research reports for decisions.
What users say
Pros
- The coding plan covers enough work to replace pricier Anthropic or OpenAI plans.
- Connects and runs cleanly in third-party harnesses like Claude Code and OpenCode via an Anthropic-compatible endpoint.
- The native ZCode client runs fast, handles sub-agents and memory smoothly, and burns far less quota than external harnesses.
- The international site displays an uncluttered layout with direct upfront model selection.
Cons
- GLM through Z.ai is slow, with simple tasks taking 10 minutes or more.
- Weekly limits run out fast, and one lockout lasted 6 days.
- The web chat keeps breaking: chats vanish and the edit and Chat mode buttons disappear.
- A recent update made GLM refuse ordinary prompts, like fixing bugs in a bot.
- Saved conversations were wiped overnight, and customer service answered neither email nor DM.
A selection of the review sources we used:
Summarized from public user reviews and community discussions. View details
Global Traffic Rank
Top 50k
Alternatives
Rank#23 in category#1 in category#3 in category#4 in category
Free planYesYesYesYes
ProCheap GLM plan that works in coding toolsClear, patient help for study, writing and planningCited sources, free high limits, one-shot images, synced historySmarter, more grounded answers than ChatGPT
Better forStudying, generating images, and having fast real-time voice chats across mobile and desktop apps.Answering questions in secondsGetting fast replies alongside stronger reasoning, math, and story editing.
Weaker atPlugging a low-cost coding subscription into external agents like Claude Code and OpenCode.Running daily coding agents from the command lineConnecting subscription access to third-party coding tools and harnesses