Overview
GLM-5 is the flagship large model series from Zhipu AI. The GLM-5V-Turbo multimodal visual encoding model supports deep understanding of images/videos/design drafts and directly generates frontend code, establishing Zhipu's position in the multimodal field.
**Latest version: GLM-5.1 High-Speed Edition** (released on 2026/05/22) — **API output at 400 tokens/s sets a global record**. In the total cost comparison across 10 standard evaluations by Artificial Analysis, **Zhipu at $544** (lowest) < DeepSeek $1071 < OpenAI $3357 < Anthropic $4811 (highest), **GLM-5.1 is the most cost-effective flagship model globally**. Its Chinese language capability continues Zhipu's traditional advantage, making it an important representative of domestic large models.
Key Features
- 400 tokens/s ultra-fast output (5.1 High-Speed Edition): Released on 5/22, API output speed of 400 tokens/s sets a global record
- Lowest global cost: Total cost in Artificial Analysis evaluation is only $544, which is 1/9 of Anthropic and 1/6 of OpenAI
- Multimodal visual encoding: Understands images, videos, and UI design drafts, directly generating corresponding frontend code
- Leading Chinese language capability: Continues Zhipu's deep expertise in Chinese understanding and generation
- Design draft to code: Upload design draft screenshots to generate usable HTML/CSS code
- Video understanding: Supports deep understanding and analysis of video content
- Dialogue and reasoning: General dialogue and logical reasoning capabilities continuously improved, with excellent performance on coding benchmarks
- Available domestically: No proxy needed, directly usable via Zhipu Qingyan
Use Cases
- Frontend developers needing design draft to code conversion
- Content creators requiring strong Chinese language capability
- High-frequency API call scenarios sensitive to cost (GLM-5.1 offers the best global cost-performance ratio)
- Professional users of multimodal content understanding and analysis
- AI application integration for domestic enterprises
- Academic research and educational scenarios
Pros
- GLM-5.1 High-Speed Edition at 400 tokens/s is the fastest globally
- Best global cost-performance ratio: cost is only 1/6 of OpenAI and 1/9 of Anthropic
- Unique visual encoding: design draft to code capability leads among domestic models
- One of the strongest in Chinese: excellent performance in Chinese scenarios
- Unrestricted domestic use: no proxy needed, fast response
- Zhipu ecosystem: integrated with ChatGLM, BigModel API, etc.
- Free to try: available for free via Zhipu Qingyan
Pricing
GLM-5 offers free basic experience via Zhipu Qingyan. API is provided through the Zhipu BigModel platform, billed per token, with top global cost-performance ratio. Pricing for GLM-5.1 High-Speed Edition is subject to official announcements. Enterprise version supports private deployment.
Summary
GLM-5 is a significant breakthrough for domestic large models, especially the 5.1 High-Speed Edition which, in May 2026, redefined the cost-performance standard for large model APIs with 400 tokens/s output and the lowest global cost. Its visual encoding capability makes it unique in the 'read image to write code' scenario. For domestic users needing multimodal + Chinese + low cost, GLM-5 is the preferred choice.