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compare/glm-5-vs-gemini

Comparison · open vs Google

GLM-5 vs Gemini

Google's Gemini models are known for accepting almost any input. We compare GLM-5.3 and GLM-5.3 Flash with Gemini 3.8 Flash and Gemini 3.1 Pro Preview on price, limits and inputs.
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Data-backed verdicts

GLM-5

3

vs

Gemini

2

Tie: 1 · counted from the six verdicts below

§ 01Specs

Specification matrix

OpenRouter data for the models compared on this page. Lowest prices and largest limits are highlighted.

GLM-5 vs Gemini
ModelGLM-5.3GLM-5.3 FlashGemini 3.8 FlashGemini 3.1 Pro Preview
DeveloperZ.aiZ.aiGoogleGoogle
ReleasedAug 18, 2026Aug 26, 2026Sep 2, 2026Feb 19, 2026
Context window1.05M1.05M1.05M1.05M
Max output944K944K66K66K
Input price$0.079$0.0052$0.825$2
Output price$1.40$0.1985$4.13$12
InputsTextText, Image, VideoText, Image, Video, Audio, FilesText, Image, Video, Audio, Files
Open weightsYes (Hugging Face)Yes (Hugging Face)NoNo
Free chat hereIn our chatIn our chat——

Prices are USD per 1 million tokens as listed by OpenRouter; the best value in each row is highlighted. Source: OpenRouter model list and the official Hugging Face model cards.

§ 02Analysis

What the numbers mean

Inputs: Gemini reads more types

Gemini 3.8 Flash lists five input types on OpenRouter: text, images, video, files and audio. GLM-5.3 Flash covers text, images and video, and GLM-5.3 is text-only. If your application needs to listen to audio or read files directly, Gemini has the advantage.

Both sides list about one million tokens of context: 1,048,576 for Gemini 3.8 Flash and for the GLM models.

Price and output length

Gemini 3.8 Flash costs $0.825 per million input tokens and $4.125 per million output tokens; Gemini 3.1 Pro Preview costs $2 and $12. GLM-5.3 costs $0.079 and $1.40, and GLM-5.3 Flash $0.0052 and $0.1985. GLM is cheaper at both tiers, by a large factor.

The output limit differs even more. Gemini 3.8 Flash lists a maximum of 65,536 output tokens per request; the GLM models list 943,718. For long rewrites, code generation across many files or long agent runs, GLM has much more headroom per call.

Openness

Gemini models are available only through Google and its partners. GLM-5.3 and GLM-5.3 Flash are open weights on Hugging Face, so you can host them yourself when cost, privacy or latency require it.

In practice many teams use both: a cheap, open model for the bulk of the traffic and a model with wider input support for the cases that need it. Because both GLM and Gemini are reachable through OpenRouter with the same request format, routing between them is a one-line change in code.

  • Audio and file input: Gemini.
  • Price and output length: GLM.
  • Context: a tie at about one million tokens.

§ 03Verdicts

Six questions, six answers

Price

GLM-5

GLM-5.3 Flash costs $0.0052 / $0.1985 per million tokens against $0.825 / $4.125 for Gemini 3.8 Flash.

Open weights

GLM-5

GLM-5.3 and GLM-5.3 Flash are on Hugging Face; Gemini is closed.

Audio input

Gemini

Gemini 3.8 Flash lists audio input; no GLM model compared here does.

File input

Gemini

Gemini 3.8 Flash accepts files directly; GLM models do not list file input.

Max output per request

GLM-5

GLM lists 943,718 tokens; Gemini 3.8 Flash lists 65,536.

Context window

Tie

1,048,576 tokens on both sides.

Bottom line

Choose Gemini when you need audio or direct file input. Choose GLM-5 for lower prices, open weights and much longer outputs per request.

Pick GLM-5 if…

  • cost per token is important
  • you need long outputs in a single call
  • you want open weights
  • text, images and video cover your inputs

Pick Gemini if…

  • you need audio input
  • you want to send files directly
  • you are already on Google Cloud

§ 04FAQ

Common questions

Q01Is GLM-5.3 Flash cheaper than Gemini 3.8 Flash?

Yes. GLM-5.3 Flash costs $0.0052 in and $0.1985 out per million tokens; Gemini 3.8 Flash costs $0.825 and $4.125.

Q02Can GLM-5 understand audio?

The GLM models compared here do not list audio input on OpenRouter. Gemini 3.8 Flash does.

Q03Which can write longer answers?

GLM. Its models list up to 943,718 output tokens per request, against 65,536 for Gemini 3.8 Flash.

Q04Can I try both?

You can try GLM-5.3 Flash and GLM-5.3 free in our chat. Gemini is available through Google's own products.

Q05Which is better for video?

Both GLM-5.3 Flash and Gemini 3.8 Flash list video input. GLM-5.3 Flash is much cheaper per token; Gemini can additionally take the audio track as a separate input type. Test with your own clips.

§ 05More

Other comparisons

GLM-5 vs DeepSeek V4GLM-5 vs Qwen3.7GLM-5 vs ClaudeGLM-5 vs GPT-6GLM-5.3 vs GLM-5.3 FlashAll comparisons

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