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GLM-5.3-Flash vs Grok 4.6

Both models are evenly matched across the benchmarks. GLM-5.3-Flash is 12.6x cheaper per token.

Zhipu AI · xAI · Updated for 2026

Which is better?

GLM-5.3-Flash outperforms in 1 benchmarks (GDPval-AA), while Grok 4.6 is better at 1 benchmark (DeepSWE 1.1). Both models are evenly matched across the benchmarks.

On price, GLM-5.3-Flash is roughly 12.6x cheaper per token on a blended 3:1 input/output basis, which adds up quickly at production volume.

GLM-5.3-Flash also accepts a larger context window (1,000,000 input tokens), making it the stronger choice for long documents and large codebases.

Based on current benchmark, pricing, and model metadata for 2026.

Choose GLM-5.3-Flash

  • cost matters — it's about 12.6x cheaper per token
  • you process long inputs — it offers a 1,000,000 token context window
  • you want the most recent training data — it shipped Aug 2026
  • you need open weights you can self-host or fine-tune

Choose Grok 4.6

  • you want predictable pricing at $2.00/M input and $6.00/M output

At a glance

The differences that matter most.

GLM-5.3-Flash
Zhipu AI
Grok 4.6
xAI
Benchmark wins
1 of 2
1 of 2
Input price
$0.15 / M
$2.00 / M
Output price
$0.50 / M
$6.00 / M
Context window
1,000,000
500,000
Released
Aug 2026
Aug 2026
License
MIT
Proprietary

Performance Benchmarks

Comparative analysis across standard metrics

2 benchmarks

GLM-5.3-Flash outperforms in 1 benchmarks (GDPval-AA), while Grok 4.6 is better at 1 benchmark (DeepSWE 1.1).

Both models are evenly matched across the benchmarks.

Wed Aug 26 2026 • llm-stats.com

Arena Performance

Playground indexes and blind preference scores

Pricing Analysis

Price comparison per million tokens

GLM-5.3-Flash costs less

For input processing, GLM-5.3-Flash ($0.15/1M tokens) is 13.3x cheaper than Grok 4.6 ($2.00/1M tokens).

For output processing, GLM-5.3-Flash ($0.50/1M tokens) is 12.0x cheaper than Grok 4.6 ($6.00/1M tokens).

In conclusion, Grok 4.6 is more expensive than GLM-5.3-Flash.*

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

Lowest available price from all providers
Wed Aug 26 2026 • llm-stats.com
Zhipu AI
GLM-5.3-Flash
Input tokens$0.15
Output tokens$0.50
Best providerUnknown Organization
xAI
Grok 4.6
Input tokens$2.00
Output tokens$6.00
Best providerxAI
Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue→

Context Window

Maximum input and output token capacity

GLM-5.3-Flash accepts 1,000,000 input tokens compared to Grok 4.6's 500,000 tokens. Only GLM-5.3-Flash specifies output context (131,072 tokens).

Zhipu AI
GLM-5.3-Flash
Input1,000,000 tokens
Output131,072 tokens
xAI
Grok 4.6
Input500,000 tokens
Output- tokens
Wed Aug 26 2026 • llm-stats.com

Input Capabilities

Supported data types and modalities

Both GLM-5.3-Flash and Grok 4.6 support multimodal inputs.

They are both capable of processing various types of data, offering versatility in application.

GLM-5.3-Flash

Text
Images
Audio
Video

Grok 4.6

Text
Images
Audio
Video

License

Usage and distribution terms

GLM-5.3-Flash is licensed under MIT, while Grok 4.6 uses a proprietary license.

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

GLM-5.3-Flash

MIT

Open weights

Grok 4.6

Proprietary

Closed source

Release Timeline

When each model was launched

GLM-5.3-Flash was released on 2026-08-26, while Grok 4.6 was released on 2026-08-12.

GLM-5.3-Flash is 0 month newer than Grok 4.6.

GLM-5.3-Flash

Aug 26, 2026

0 days ago

2w newer
Grok 4.6

Aug 12, 2026

2 weeks ago

Knowledge Cutoff

When training data ends

Grok 4.6 has a documented knowledge cutoff of 2026-02-01, while GLM-5.3-Flash's cutoff date is not specified.

We can confirm Grok 4.6's training data extends to 2026-02-01, but cannot make a direct comparison without GLM-5.3-Flash's cutoff date.

GLM-5.3-Flash

—

Grok 4.6

Feb 2026

Provider Availability

GLM-5.3-Flash is available from ZAI. Grok 4.6 is available from xAI.

GLM-5.3-Flash

z logo
Unknown Organization
Input Price:Input: $0.15/1MOutput Price:Output: $0.50/1M

Grok 4.6

xai logo
xAI
Input Price:Input: $2.00/1MOutput Price:Output: $6.00/1M
* Prices shown are per million tokens

Outputs Comparison

Notice missing or incorrect data?Start an Issue discussion→

Judge for yourself.

Run your own prompts against GLM-5.3-Flash and Grok 4.6 side-by-side, then vote on the output you prefer.

GLM-5.3-Flash
✓ Preferred
Grok 4.6
Open in Playground

FAQ

Common questions about GLM-5.3-Flash vs Grok 4.6.

Which is better, GLM-5.3-Flash or Grok 4.6?

Both models are evenly matched across the benchmarks. GLM-5.3-Flash is made by Zhipu AI and Grok 4.6 is made by xAI. The best choice depends on your use case — compare their benchmark scores, pricing, and capabilities above.

How does GLM-5.3-Flash compare to Grok 4.6 in benchmarks?

GLM-5.3-Flash scores CharXiv-R: 89.4%, Terminal-Bench 2.1: 84.3%, MMVU: 80.5%, Toolathlon: 78.4%, MVBench: 77.8%. Grok 4.6 scores CursorBench v3.2: 69.9%, DeepSWE 1.1: 65.9%, FrontierCode: 61.3%, AA-Index: 61.0%, GDPval-AA: 58.4%.

Is GLM-5.3-Flash cheaper than Grok 4.6?

GLM-5.3-Flash is 13.3x cheaper for input tokens. GLM-5.3-Flash costs $0.15/M input and $0.50/M output via z. Grok 4.6 costs $2.00/M input and $6.00/M output via xai.

What are the context window sizes for GLM-5.3-Flash and Grok 4.6?

GLM-5.3-Flash supports 1.0M tokens and Grok 4.6 supports 500K tokens. A larger context window lets you process longer documents, conversations, or codebases in a single request.

What are the main differences between GLM-5.3-Flash and Grok 4.6?

Key differences include context window (1.0M vs 500K), input pricing ($0.15 vs $2.00/M), licensing (MIT vs Proprietary). See the full comparison above for benchmark-by-benchmark results.

Who makes GLM-5.3-Flash and Grok 4.6?

GLM-5.3-Flash is developed by Zhipu AI and Grok 4.6 is developed by xAI.

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