GLM 5.1 vs Kimi K2.6
Pricing, context window and real answers (August 2026)
GLM 5.1 (Z.ai) and Kimi K2.6 (Moonshot), compared as you can actually call them on FastMetal. Both are served from the same OpenAI-compatible endpoint and API key; switching is a change to the model string.
Specs and pricing
 GLM 5.1 |  Kimi K2.6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Provider | Z.ai | Moonshot |
| Input (per 1M tokens) | ¥250.18 | ¥169.77 |
| Output (per 1M tokens) | ¥786.28 | ¥714.8 |
| Typical cost (1,000 in + 500 out tokens × 1,000 calls) | ¥643 | ¥527 |
| Context window | 204,800 tokens | 262,144 tokens |
| Release date | 4/7/2026 | 4/20/2026 |
| Input modalities | text | text, image |
| Arena · overall | #41 · ELO 1,466 | #49 · ELO 1,461 |
| Arena · Japanese | #49 · ELO 1,430 | #35 · ELO 1,445 |
| Arena · coding | #36 · ELO 1,514 | #34 · ELO 1,514 |
Prices are FastMetal's yen rates before tax. Arena ranks are as of the latest leaderboard scrape.
Which should you pick?
- On price, Kimi K2.6: ¥714.8 per 1M output tokens, 9% less than GLM 5.1.
- On the Overall arena board, GLM 5.1 ranks higher (#41; Kimi K2.6 is #49).
- On the Japanese arena board, Kimi K2.6 ranks higher (#35; GLM 5.1 is #49).
- On the Coding arena board, Kimi K2.6 ranks higher (#34; GLM 5.1 is #36).
- For long documents, Kimi K2.6: a 262,144-token context window against 204,800 for GLM 5.1.
- If in doubt, try both on the same key. Switching is a change to the model string, and each is billed at its own rate.
Real answers to the same prompts
Exactly what the FastMetal gateway returned, side by side. Not benchmark scores: actual output.
Count the number of 'r's in 'strawberry'
Count the number of 'r's in 'strawberry'. Explain your reasoning step by step.
GLM 5.1
There are **3** 'r's in the word "strawberry".
Here is the step-by-step reasoning:
1. Let's break down the word "strawberry" letter by letter: s - t - r - a - w - b - e - r - r - y
2. Now, let's check each letter one by one to see if it is an 'r':
- **s**: not an 'r'
- **t**: not an 'r'
- **r**: this is the 1st 'r'
- **a**: not an 'r'
- **w**: not an 'r'
- **b**: not an 'r'
- **e**: not an 'r'
- **r**: this is the 2nd 'r'
- **r**: this is the 3rd 'r'
- **y**: not an 'r'
3. Counting them up, there are three 'r's in total (in the 3rd, 8th, and 9th positions).
7.3s565 output tokens
Kimi K2.6
Here is the step-by-step count:
**Step 1:** Write out the word and number each letter.
1. s
2. t
3. **r** ← 1st 'r'
4. a
5. w
6. b
7. e
8. **r** ← 2nd 'r'
9. **r** ← 3rd 'r'
10. y
**Step 2:** Identify the positions containing the letter 'r'.
- The 3rd letter is **r**
- The 8th letter is **r**
- The 9th letter is **r**
**Step 3:** Tally the total.
There are **3** letter 'r's in "strawberry".
4.5s352 output tokens
Debug This Error
I'm getting the following error in my Node.js application: TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'map') at UserList (/app/components/UserList.js:12:25) at renderWithHooks (/app/node_modules/rea…
GLM 5.1
### What is causing the error?
The error `TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'map')` means you are trying to call the `.map()` method on a variable that is `undefined`.
In your code, the variable is `users`. When the `UserList` component renders, the `users` prop is `undefined`, so `undefined.map()` throws an error.
### Why is `users` undefined?
This usually happens for one of two reasons:
1. **You forgot to pass the prop:** The parent component rendering `<UserList />` is not passing the `users` attribute (e.g., `<UserList />` instead of `<UserList users={myUsers} />`).
2. **Async Data Fetching:** You are fetching the users from an API. On the initial render, befor…
45.0s1680 output tokens
Kimi K2.6
The error occurs because `users` is `undefined` when your component renders. The `.map()` method only works on arrays, so calling it on `undefined` throws this error.
This usually happens when:
- The parent component hasn't finished fetching data yet
- The `users` prop isn't being passed at all
- The prop is misspelled in the parent component
## Quick Fix
Set a **default value** for the `users` prop:
```jsx
function UserList({ users = [] }) {
return (
<ul>
{users.map(user => <li key={user.id}>{user.name}</li>)}
</ul>
);
}
```
## Alternative Fixes
**Optional chaining** (renders nothing if undefined):
```jsx
{users?.map(user => <li key={user.id}>{user.name}</li>)}
```…
71.8s864 output tokens
Code Review
Please review the following Python function and suggest improvements for readability, performance, and best practices: def get_data(url, retries=3): import requests import time for i in range(retries):…
GLM 5.1
Here is a review of your function, broken down by areas for improvement, followed by a refactored version of the code.
### Key Areas for Improvement
1. **Imports Inside the Function:**
Placing `import` statements inside a function is generally discouraged in Python. It slows down the function execution every time it is called, and it violates PEP 8 (the Python style guide). Imports should always be at the top of the module.
2. **Bare `except` Clause:**
Using a bare `except:` catches *everything*, including `KeyboardInterrupt` and `SystemExit`, which makes it hard to terminate a hanging program. You should catch specific exceptions (like `requests.exceptions.RequestException`).
3. *…
70.3s2854 output tokens
Kimi K2.6
Here is a refactored version followed by a breakdown of the improvements.
### Refactored Function
```python
import logging
import time
from typing import Any
import requests
logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)
def fetch_active_items(
url: str,
*,
retries: int = 3,
timeout: float = 10.0,
backoff: float = 2.0,
) -> list[dict[str, Any]]:
"""Fetch active items from an API endpoint with retry logic.
Args:
url: The API endpoint URL.
retries: Number of retry attempts for transient failures.
timeout: HTTP request timeout in seconds.
backoff: Base delay in seconds between retries (linear backoff).
Returns:
A list of activ…
17.9s4061 output tokens
Frequently asked questions
- Which is cheaper, GLM 5.1 or Kimi K2.6?
- Per 1M output tokens, GLM 5.1 is ¥786.28 and Kimi K2.6 is ¥714.8 on FastMetal (yen, before tax), so Kimi K2.6 is cheaper.
- How do the context windows of GLM 5.1 and Kimi K2.6 compare?
- GLM 5.1 takes 204,800 tokens; Kimi K2.6 takes 262,144.
- Which ranks higher, GLM 5.1 or Kimi K2.6?
- Kimi K2.6 ranks higher on the public arena (GLM 5.1 #49, Kimi K2.6 #35). Ranks move as the leaderboard updates.
- Can I use GLM 5.1 and Kimi K2.6 with the same API key?
- Yes. On FastMetal's OpenAI-compatible endpoint, switch by passing "glm-5.1" or "kimi-k2.6" as the model. Each is billed at its own rate from the same prepaid balance.
Try both on one API key
Create an account and add credit to call GLM 5.1 and Kimi K2.6 from the browser chat and the API. No monthly fee.