GLM-4.6 vs GPT-5.1 Thinking
GPT-5.1 Thinking leads the LLM Stats Score 36.8 to 29.4. GLM-4.6 is 3.8x cheaper per token.
Zhipu AI · OpenAI · Updated for 2026
Which is better?
GPT-5.1 Thinking leads the overall LLM Stats Score 36.8 to 29.4, ranking #69 overall.
In the 3 individual benchmarks reported for both models, GPT-5.1 Thinking wins 3; this is a narrower head-to-head signal than the composite indexes.
On price, GLM-4.6 is roughly 3.8x cheaper per token on a blended 3:1 input/output basis, which adds up quickly at production volume.
GPT-5.1 Thinking also accepts a larger context window (400,000 input tokens), making it the stronger choice for long documents and large codebases.
Based on current LLM Stats indexes, shared benchmarks, pricing, and model metadata for 2026.
Choose GLM-4.6
- cost matters — it's about 3.8x cheaper per token
- you need open weights you can self-host or fine-tune
Choose GPT-5.1 Thinking
- overall performance matters — it scores 36.8 and ranks #69 on LLM Stats
- your work emphasizes reasoning — it leads those capability indexes
- you value its reported benchmark strengths — it wins 3 of 3 exact shared results
- you process long inputs — it offers a 400,000 token context window
- you want the most recent training data — it shipped Nov 2025
At a glance
The differences that matter most.
Capability indexes
Additional strengths measured across groups of related public benchmarks
Individual benchmarks
7 reported for GLM-4.6 · 9 for GPT-5.1 Thinking
GLM-4.6 outperforms in 0 benchmarks, while GPT-5.1 Thinking is better at 3 benchmarks (AIME 2025, GPQA, SWE-Bench Verified).
GPT-5.1 Thinking significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.
Human preference
Blind head-to-head votes and playground preference scores
Pricing Analysis
Price comparison per million tokens
For input processing, GLM-4.6 ($0.55/1M tokens) is 2.3x cheaper than GPT-5.1 Thinking ($1.25/1M tokens).
For output processing, GLM-4.6 ($2.00/1M tokens) is 5.0x cheaper than GPT-5.1 Thinking ($10.00/1M tokens).
In conclusion, GPT-5.1 Thinking is more expensive than GLM-4.6.*
* Using a 3:1 ratio of input to output tokens
Context Window
Maximum input and output token capacity
GPT-5.1 Thinking accepts 400,000 input tokens compared to GLM-4.6's 131,072 tokens. GLM-4.6 can generate longer responses up to 131,072 tokens, while GPT-5.1 Thinking is limited to 128,000 tokens.
Input capabilities
Documented input modalities across available providers
Both GLM-4.6 and GPT-5.1 Thinking support multimodal inputs.
They are both capable of processing various types of data, offering versatility in application.
GLM-4.6
GPT-5.1 Thinking
License
Usage and distribution terms
GLM-4.6 is licensed under MIT, while GPT-5.1 Thinking uses a proprietary license.
License differences may affect how you can use these models in commercial or open-source projects.
MIT
Open weights
Proprietary
Closed source
Release Timeline
When each model was launched
GLM-4.6 was released on 2025-09-30, while GPT-5.1 Thinking was released on 2025-11-12.
GPT-5.1 Thinking is 1 month newer than GLM-4.6.
Sep 30, 2025
11 months ago
Nov 12, 2025
9 months ago
1mo newerKnowledge Cutoff
When training data ends
Neither model specifies a knowledge cutoff date.
Unable to compare the recency of their training data.
Provider Availability
GLM-4.6 is available from Fireworks, DeepInfra. GPT-5.1 Thinking is available from OpenAI.
GLM-4.6
GPT-5.1 Thinking
Outputs Comparison
Judge for yourself.
Run your own prompts against GLM-4.6 and GPT-5.1 Thinking side-by-side, then vote on the output you prefer.
FAQ
Common questions about GLM-4.6 vs GPT-5.1 Thinking.