If you pay high fees for chat AI tools like ChatGPT Plus or Claude, you can try another option. A group of free, open-source AI tools comes from China. One model, GLM 4.6, shows strong power. Its skills often match or beat well-known names in the AI world, especially for coding and real tasks. Here you find why GLM 4.6 deserves your time and how you can start with it today.
Why GLM 4.6 is Changing the AI Landscape
GLM 4.6 is the newest work in a series of Chinese language models made by Z.A.I. Many in the West now use ChatGPT and Claude, but GLM 4.6 has moved up fast. It reached third place worldwide on many tests in only a few years. It climbed high even though few people outside tech notice it.
GLM 4.6 shows strength in both structure and real use. It connects ideas closely and works fast on many tasks:
• "Genetic AI" in many ways: GLM 4.6 does more than chat and answer. It writes code, searches the net, builds apps, and even makes slide decks that come well formatted and neat.
• A big model that runs with care: It holds 355 billion pieces. Yet, it uses just 32 billion pieces per task with a system that picks only the needed bits. This keeps work light and fast.
• Ability with long texts: With room for 200,000 tokens, it reads a full book, a large code file, or many pages of documents without losing the thread.
• Free and open to all: Unlike many tools that require paid plans, GLM 4.6 is free to use. You can run it on your computer or tap into it using Z.A.I.’s cloud service at a low cost.
Performance That Competes and Surpasses
In real tests, especially in coding and tool use, GLM 4.6 shows clear strength:
• Code work wins: Tested on 74 coding tasks, GLM 4.6 beat Claude Sonic 4 and other home-grown models. It works well on web development and common languages like Python, JavaScript, and Java.
• Success in calling tools: In tests that need an AI to use tools, GLM 4.6 scored 90.6%. This beats scores of 89.5% for Claude Sonic, 86.2% for Kimik 2, and 77.1% for Quen 3.
• Web search strength: On the BrowseComp test, it scored 26.4%. This is much higher than Claude 4 Opus’s 18.8%, which shows it can fetch and use live web data well.
These points show that with tasks like code work, web searches, or many-step projects, GLM 4.6 does as well or better than other well-known AIs.
Cost Savings Without Sacrificing Quality
High costs keep many from using AI tools. Plans may run to $15 or $20 each month. For teams, the cost grows fast.
GLM 4.6 brings lower costs with a clear pricing plan:
• Input tokens use 11 to 20 cents for each million tokens
• Output tokens use 28 to 80 cents for each million tokens
If you spend $20 a month for ChatGPT Plus, which is about $240 a year, switching to GLM 4.6 can bring the cost down to around $36 every year. This saves more than $200. For a small team of five, the saving is about $1,000 a year. For bigger teams, the savings grow, making it easier to add AI to projects without high costs.
Practical Use Cases Worth Exploring
GLM 4.6 works in many ways, which makes it fit many situations:
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Custom App Development
The model can build an app from the ground up. It has made full websites with clear designs, search options, and parts that work on many devices. -
Coding Assistance
If you need help with bugs, UI parts, or APIs, GLM 4.6 can work with many programming languages and project needs. -
Long-Form Research and Documentation
Its strong memory helps it study and sum up long texts. It can read research papers or company files and keep ideas together. -
Complex Presentations
You can use it to create slide decks that show clear flow and a neat look, saving you many hours of work. -
Web Browsing and Data Retrieval
When linked with search tools, GLM 4.6 can grab live data. This helps with market checks, trend scans, or any task needing fresh data.
How to Get Started with GLM 4.6
If you want to try GLM 4.6, here is a clear guide:
• Download and run on your machine: Model files and code are free on sites like Hugging Face and ModelScope. With the right computer gear, you get full control and skip extra fees.
• Use the API for ease: For those who do not have strong computers or want a simple way in, Z.A.I.’s cloud API is a low-cost choice.
• Test in your own tasks: Try GLM 4.6 on real projects—be it code, document writing, or content creation—to check its speed and skill.
• Think about switching from your current paid plan: If you spend on ChatGPT or Claude, see if GLM 4.6 meets your needs for less cost.
• Watch updates: Chinese AI groups, like Z.A.I., update their models fast. Keeping up with them can help you use new features soon.
What This Means for the Future of AI Use
Chinese AI labs grow fast in the field. Western companies have long led in AI steps. But this past year shows a big shift. Models such as GLM 4.6 prove that strong AI now comes without huge training fees or high monthly bills.
For business owners, coders, and AI fans, this creates a chance to use new technology early. This can bring more speed, smart work, and new ideas in products. With GLM 4.6’s open design, you can join in and adjust the tool to suit your work well.
Thinking of using AI more without high costs? Or want to add a more strong and varied AI model today? GLM 4.6 is a strong choice to try. Download it, test the API, and check if it fits your tasks. Acting now can make you one of the first to use a tool that may set the trend in code work, automation, and content creation.
For those who need clear guides, project ideas, and work examples with AI tools like GLM 4.6, joining groups that focus on AI use can help you tap into its full skill set.
