Model Comparison

GLM-5 vs GPT-4.1 miniWhich is better in 2026?

GLM-5 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. GPT-4.1 mini is 2.2x cheaper per token.

Verdict: GLM-5 vs GPT-4.1 mini — which is better?

GLM-5 (by Zhipu AI) and GPT-4.1 mini (by OpenAI) are two of the AI models people compare most. Here is how they stack up on benchmarks, price and capabilities, and which one to pick in 2026.

GLM-5 outperforms in 1 benchmarks (SWE-Bench Verified), while GPT-4.1 mini is better at 0 benchmarks. GLM-5 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

On price, GPT-4.1 mini is roughly 2.2x cheaper per token on a blended 3:1 input/output basis, which adds up quickly at production volume.

GPT-4.1 mini also accepts a larger context window (1,047,576 input tokens), making it the stronger choice for long documents and large codebases.

Choose GLM-5 if…

  • you want the strongest raw capability — it leads on 1 of 1 shared benchmarks
  • you want the most recent training data — it shipped Feb 2026
  • you need open weights you can self-host or fine-tune

Choose GPT-4.1 mini if…

  • cost matters — it's about 2.2x cheaper per token
  • you process long inputs — it offers a 1,047,576 token context window
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Performance Benchmarks

Comparative analysis across standard metrics

1 benchmarks

GLM-5 outperforms in 1 benchmarks (SWE-Bench Verified), while GPT-4.1 mini is better at 0 benchmarks.

GLM-5 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks.

Sat Jun 06 2026 • llm-stats.com

Arena Performance

Human preference votes

Pricing Analysis

Price comparison per million tokens

GPT-4.1 mini costs less

For input processing, GLM-5 ($1.00/1M tokens) is 2.5x more expensive than GPT-4.1 mini ($0.40/1M tokens).

For output processing, GLM-5 ($3.20/1M tokens) is 2.0x more expensive than GPT-4.1 mini ($1.60/1M tokens).

In conclusion, GLM-5 is more expensive than GPT-4.1 mini.*

* Using a 3:1 ratio of input to output tokens

Lowest available price from all providers
Sat Jun 06 2026 • llm-stats.com
Zhipu AI
GLM-5
Input tokens$1.00
Output tokens$3.20
Best providerFriendliAI
OpenAI
GPT-4.1 mini
Input tokens$0.40
Output tokens$1.60
Best providerOpenAI
Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue→

Context Window

Maximum input and output token capacity

GPT-4.1 mini accepts 1,047,576 input tokens compared to GLM-5's 200,000 tokens. GLM-5 can generate longer responses up to 128,000 tokens, while GPT-4.1 mini is limited to 32,768 tokens.

Zhipu AI
GLM-5
Input200,000 tokens
Output128,000 tokens
OpenAI
GPT-4.1 mini
Input1,047,576 tokens
Output32,768 tokens
Sat Jun 06 2026 • llm-stats.com

Input Capabilities

Supported data types and modalities

GPT-4.1 mini supports multimodal inputs, whereas GLM-5 does not.

GPT-4.1 mini can handle both text and other forms of data like images, making it suitable for multimodal applications.

GLM-5

Text
Images
Audio
Video

GPT-4.1 mini

Text
Images
Audio
Video

License

Usage and distribution terms

GLM-5 is licensed under MIT, while GPT-4.1 mini uses a proprietary license.

License differences may affect how you can use these models in commercial or open-source projects.

GLM-5

MIT

Open weights

GPT-4.1 mini

Proprietary

Closed source

Release Timeline

When each model was launched

GLM-5 was released on 2026-02-11, while GPT-4.1 mini was released on 2025-04-14.

GLM-5 is 10 months newer than GPT-4.1 mini.

GLM-5

Feb 11, 2026

3 months ago

10mo newer
GPT-4.1 mini

Apr 14, 2025

1.1 years ago

Knowledge Cutoff

When training data ends

GPT-4.1 mini has a documented knowledge cutoff of 2024-05-31, while GLM-5's cutoff date is not specified.

We can confirm GPT-4.1 mini's training data extends to 2024-05-31, but cannot make a direct comparison without GLM-5's cutoff date.

GLM-5

—

GPT-4.1 mini

May 2024

Provider Availability

GLM-5 is available from FriendliAI, ZAI. GPT-4.1 mini is available from OpenAI.

GLM-5

friendli logo
FriendliAI
Input Price:Input: $1.00/1MOutput Price:Output: $3.20/1M
z logo
Unknown Organization
Input Price:Input: $1.00/1MOutput Price:Output: $3.20/1M

GPT-4.1 mini

openai logo
OpenAI
Input Price:Input: $0.40/1MOutput Price:Output: $1.60/1M
* Prices shown are per million tokens

Outputs Comparison

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Key Takeaways

Zhipu AI
Has open weights
Higher SWE-Bench Verified score (77.8% vs 23.6%)
OpenAI
Larger context window (1,047,576 tokens)
Supports multimodal inputs
Less expensive input tokens
Less expensive output tokens
Zhipu AIGLM-5
OpenAIGPT-4.1 mini
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Detailed Comparison

AI Model Comparison Table
Feature
Zhipu AI
GLM-5
OpenAI
GPT-4.1 mini

FAQ

Common questions about GLM-5 vs GPT-4.1 mini.

Which is better, GLM-5 or GPT-4.1 mini?

GLM-5 significantly outperforms across most benchmarks. GLM-5 is made by Zhipu AI and GPT-4.1 mini is made by OpenAI. The best choice depends on your use case — compare their benchmark scores, pricing, and capabilities above.

How does GLM-5 compare to GPT-4.1 mini in benchmarks?

GLM-5 scores t2-bench: 89.7%, SWE-Bench Verified: 77.8%, BrowseComp: 75.9%, MCP Atlas: 67.8%, Terminal-Bench 2.0: 56.2%. GPT-4.1 mini scores CharXiv-D: 88.4%, MMLU: 87.5%, IFEval: 84.1%, MMMLU: 78.5%, MathVista: 73.1%.

Is GLM-5 cheaper than GPT-4.1 mini?

GPT-4.1 mini is 2.5x cheaper for input tokens. GLM-5 costs $1.00/M input and $3.20/M output via friendli. GPT-4.1 mini costs $0.40/M input and $1.60/M output via openai.

What are the context window sizes for GLM-5 and GPT-4.1 mini?

GLM-5 supports 200K tokens and GPT-4.1 mini supports 1.0M tokens. A larger context window lets you process longer documents, conversations, or codebases in a single request.

What are the main differences between GLM-5 and GPT-4.1 mini?

Key differences include context window (200K vs 1.0M), input pricing ($1.00 vs $0.40/M), multimodal support (no vs yes), licensing (MIT vs Proprietary). See the full comparison above for benchmark-by-benchmark results.

Who makes GLM-5 and GPT-4.1 mini?

GLM-5 is developed by Zhipu AI and GPT-4.1 mini is developed by OpenAI.

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