Model comparison

GLM 5.2 vs GLM 5.3

Pricing, context window and real answers (August 2026)

GLM 5.2 (Z.ai) and GLM 5.3 (Z.ai), 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

z-ai logoGLM 5.2z-ai logoGLM 5.3
ProviderZ.aiZ.ai
Input (per 1M tokens)¥250.18¥250.18
Output (per 1M tokens)¥786.28¥786.28
Typical cost (1,000 in + 500 out tokens × 1,000 calls)¥643¥643
Context window1,048,576 tokens1,048,576 tokens
Release date6/16/20268/18/2026
Input modalitiestexttext
Arena · overall#31 · ELO 1,469Unranked
Arena · Japanese#13 · ELO 1,472Unranked
Arena · coding#46 · ELO 1,506Unranked

Prices are FastMetal's yen rates before tax. Arena ranks are as of the latest leaderboard scrape.

Which should you pick?

  • Output pricing is identical (¥786.28 per 1M tokens).
  • 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 5.2

To count the number of 'r's in the word 'strawberry', let's look at the word letter by letter: 1. **s** - no 'r' 2. **t** - no 'r' 3. **r** - this is the 1st 'r' 4. **a** - no 'r' 5. **w** - no 'r' 6. **b** - no 'r' 7. **e** - no 'r' 8. **r** - this is the 2nd 'r' 9. **r** - this is the 3rd 'r' 10. **y** - no 'r' Total count: 3 There are **3** 'r's in the word 'strawberry'.
2.6s439 output tokens

GLM 5.3

# Counting 'r's in "strawberry" **Step 1: Spell out the word letter by letter.** s - t - r - a - w - b - e - r - r - y **Step 2: Go through each letter and mark the 'r's.** | Position | Letter | Is it 'r'? | |----------|--------|------------| | 1 | s | No | | 2 | t | No | | 3 | **r** | ✅ Yes (1st) | | 4 | a | No | | 5 | w | No | | 6 | b | No | | 7 | e | No | | 8 | **r** | ✅ Yes (2nd) | | 9 | **r** | ✅ Yes (3rd) | | 10 | y | No | **Step 3: Tally the results.** - 1st 'r' in "st**r**awberry" - 2nd 'r' in "strawbe**r**ry" - 3rd 'r' in "strawber**r**y" ## Answer: There are **3** 'r's in "strawberry." (Note: two of them appear together in the "rr" near the end, which is easy to miss when c…
5.8s493 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 5.2

The error `TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'map')` happens because the `users` prop being passed to your `UserList` component is currently `undefined`. When JavaScript tries to call `.map()` on `undefined`, it throws this error. Here are the best ways to fix this: ### Fix 1: Provide a default value (Recommended) You can provide a default empty array `[]` when destructuring the props. This ensures that even if `users` is not passed down, the `.map()` function will still have an array to iterate over (resulting in an empty list rather than a crash). ```jsx function UserList({ users = [] }) { return ( <ul> {users.map(user => <li key={user.id}>{user.name}</…
8.3s1006 output tokens

GLM 5.3

## What's happening The error means `users` is `undefined` when the component renders. `undefined` doesn't have a `.map()` method, so JavaScript throws a `TypeError`. Since destructured props that aren't passed default to `undefined`, something upstream isn't providing the value you expect. ## Common causes 1. **The parent doesn't pass the prop, or uses a different name:** ```jsx <UserList /> {/* missing users */} <UserList userList={users} /> {/* prop name mismatch */} ``` 2. **Async data hasn't loaded yet** — the component renders before an API call completes, and the initial value is `undefined`: ```jsx const [users, setUsers] = useState(); // undefin…
17.1s1345 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 5.2

Here is a review of your Python function, broken down by readability, performance, and best practices, followed by a refactored version of the code. ### 1. Best Practices * **Move imports to the top:** Importing modules inside a function is generally discouraged. While Python caches imports, putting `import requests` and `import time` at the top of your file is the standard convention and improves readability. * **Avoid bare `except:` blocks:** Using a bare `except:` catches everything, including `KeyboardInterrupt` and `SystemExit`. This makes it hard to interrupt your program if it gets stuck in a loop. You should catch specific exceptions, such as `requests.exceptions.RequestException` (…
10.9s2061 output tokens

GLM 5.3

Here's a breakdown of the issues, followed by a refactored version. ## Readability - **Move imports to module level.** PEP 8 requires top-level imports; importing inside a function hides dependencies and adds overhead on every call (small, but pointless). - **`item["active"] == True`** → just `item.get("active")`. Comparing to `True` with `==` is flagged by PEP 8, and `.get()` avoids a `KeyError` if the key is missing. - **Use a list comprehension** instead of initializing a list and appending in a loop. - **Rename things.** `get_data` doesn't say what it does (`fetch_active_items`?), and `response` beats `r`. Use `_` for the unused loop counter. - **Magic numbers** (`2`, `10`) should be n…
75.0s6434 output tokens

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Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper, GLM 5.2 or GLM 5.3?
Both are ¥786.28 per 1M output tokens on FastMetal (yen, before tax).
How do the context windows of GLM 5.2 and GLM 5.3 compare?
GLM 5.2 takes 1,048,576 tokens; GLM 5.3 takes 1,048,576.
Can I use GLM 5.2 and GLM 5.3 with the same API key?
Yes. On FastMetal's OpenAI-compatible endpoint, switch by passing "glm-5.2" or "glm-5.3" 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 5.2 and GLM 5.3 from the browser chat and the API. No monthly fee.

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