GLM-5.3 vs GPT-5.6 Terra
GLM-5.3 has a slight edge in benchmark performance. GLM-5.3 is 2.1x cheaper per token.
Zhipu AI · OpenAI · Updated for 2026
Which is better?
GLM-5.3 outperforms in 4 benchmarks (AutomationBench, ExploitBench, Terminal-Bench 2.1, Toolathlon), while GPT-5.6 Terra is better at 3 benchmarks (Agents' Last Exam, DeepSWE 1.1, ExploitGym). GLM-5.3 has a slight edge in benchmark performance.
On price, GLM-5.3 is roughly 2.1x cheaper per token on a blended 3:1 input/output basis, which adds up quickly at production volume.
GPT-5.6 Terra also accepts a larger context window (1,050,000 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
- you want the strongest raw capability — it leads on 4 of 7 shared benchmarks
- cost matters — it's about 2.1x cheaper per token
- you want the most recent training data — it shipped Aug 2026
Choose GPT-5.6 Terra
- you process long inputs — it offers a 1,050,000 token context window
At a glance
The differences that matter most.
Performance Benchmarks
Comparative analysis across standard metrics
GLM-5.3 outperforms in 4 benchmarks (AutomationBench, ExploitBench, Terminal-Bench 2.1, Toolathlon), while GPT-5.6 Terra is better at 3 benchmarks (Agents' Last Exam, DeepSWE 1.1, ExploitGym).
GLM-5.3 has a slight edge in benchmark performance.
Arena Performance
Playground indexes and blind preference scores
Pricing Analysis
Price comparison per million tokens
For input processing, GLM-5.3 ($1.40/1M tokens) is 1.4x cheaper than GPT-5.6 Terra ($2.00/1M tokens).
For output processing, GLM-5.3 ($4.40/1M tokens) is 2.7x cheaper than GPT-5.6 Terra ($12.00/1M tokens).
In conclusion, GPT-5.6 Terra is more expensive than GLM-5.3.*
* Using a 3:1 ratio of input to output tokens
Context Window
Maximum input and output token capacity
GPT-5.6 Terra accepts 1,050,000 input tokens compared to GLM-5.3's 1,048,576 tokens. GLM-5.3 can generate longer responses up to 131,072 tokens, while GPT-5.6 Terra is limited to 128,000 tokens.
Input Capabilities
Supported data types and modalities
GPT-5.6 Terra supports multimodal inputs, whereas GLM-5.3 does not.
GPT-5.6 Terra can handle both text and other forms of data like images, making it suitable for multimodal applications.
GLM-5.3
GPT-5.6 Terra
Release Timeline
When each model was launched
GLM-5.3 was released on 2026-08-14, while GPT-5.6 Terra was released on 2026-07-09.
GLM-5.3 is 1 month newer than GPT-5.6 Terra.
Aug 14, 2026
1 weeks ago
1mo newerJul 9, 2026
1 months ago
Knowledge Cutoff
When training data ends
GPT-5.6 Terra has a documented knowledge cutoff of 2026-02-16, while GLM-5.3's cutoff date is not specified.
We can confirm GPT-5.6 Terra's training data extends to 2026-02-16, but cannot make a direct comparison without GLM-5.3's cutoff date.
—
Feb 2026
Provider Availability
GLM-5.3 is available from Novita, ZAI. GPT-5.6 Terra is available from OpenAI.
GLM-5.3
GPT-5.6 Terra
Outputs Comparison
Judge for yourself.
Run your own prompts against GLM-5.3 and GPT-5.6 Terra side-by-side, then vote on the output you prefer.
FAQ
Common questions about GLM-5.3 vs GPT-5.6 Terra.