General AI chatbots
Z.ai: review, pricing, data and alternatives
Z.ai lets people seeking help with programming or questions requiring multiple steps interact with GLM models. It also offers presentation creation alongside these conversational and coding functions. A free tier exists; the first paid plan costs $12.6 per month. Access and transparency score: 56/100, #13 of 20 in its category.
| Access | 25/30 | |
|---|---|---|
| Openness | 10/30 | |
| Trust | 21/40 |
What is Z.ai?
Z.ai lets people seeking help with programming or questions requiring multiple steps interact with GLM models. It also offers presentation creation alongside these conversational and coding functions.
According to its documentation, Z.ai lets you:
- converse with GLM models
- solve questions requiring multiple steps
- help with programming
- create presentations
We file it under General AI chatbots, the category of tools to chat with a general-purpose AI, and it also overlaps with model APIs and platforms. The category lists 20 verified tools on this site.
The publisher is JINGSHENG HENGXING TECHNOLOGY PTE. LTD., based in Singapore. The service launched in 2025.
Who is it for?
It is mostly useful to these profiles: developers and students. The need it covers is simple to state: chat with a general-purpose AI.
Z.ai is a good candidate if:
- you want to try before paying
- you plan to connect it to your tools or automations through its API
Before deciding, run a trial on a real task and measure the time saved: it is the only criterion that really counts.
How much does Z.ai cost?
Pricing model: freemium (limited free use, then paid). A free plan is offered, usually limited in volume or features.
The first paid plan costs $12.6 per month (GLM Coding Plan Lite, displayed discounted price; reference price of USD 18 per month. Subscription intended for programming tools), according to the pricing page, checked on October 24, 2026.
Per month, that is more expensive than the category median ($9.5 per month, based on tools with a published price).
To estimate what the same work would cost done directly with an AI model, use our API price calculator. Prices change often: always check the official site before subscribing.
Data and privacy
The publisher does not clearly state where data is hosted. Assume your content may leave your region.
For professional use, check that a data processing agreement (DPA) is offered, and do not send customers' personal data or confidential documents without one.
No export feature is documented: keep a copy of your content elsewhere.
Three habits apply to every AI tool:
- turn off the use of your content for training if the option exists
- use a work account separate from your personal account
- review everything the tool produces before publishing or sending it
Platforms, languages and API
Z.ai runs on: web browser and API.
Interface languages are not specified.
A public API lets you call it from your own programs or an automation tool, and plug it into an AI agent.
How we scored it
Our 56/100 score does not judge output quality: it measures what can be publicly verified about access to the tool, its openness and how far the publisher can be trusted.
| Criterion | Points | What counts |
|---|---|---|
| Access | 25/30 | free tier, published price, French interface |
| Openness | 10/30 | API, data export, open code |
| Trust | 21/40 | identified publisher, declared hosting, age, presence in reference lists |
The full calculation is explained on our method page.
Comparison with alternatives
Z.ai against other tools in the general AI chatbots category:
Verdict
Z.ai is a decent option; compare its price and terms with the category leaders.
Strengths
- Free tier to try it
- Public API
Limitations
- More expensive than its category median
- Data hosting not disclosed
- Data export not documented
Avoid if…
- You handle sensitive personal data without a processing agreement
- You need to easily retrieve your full history
Alternatives
Categories and jobs
Learn more
Frequently asked questions
Is Z.ai free?
Yes, a free plan exists, with usage limits. The first paid plan costs $12.6 per month.
Where is Z.ai data stored?
The publisher does not clearly say so in its public documentation.
Does Z.ai have an API?
Yes, a public API is documented.
What are the alternatives to Z.ai?
In the same category: Gemini, ChatGPT, LibreChat, and Claude.
Z.ai or Gemini: which one to choose?
Z.ai starts at $12.6 per month, Gemini at $4.99 per month and our score is 56/100 for Z.ai and 85/100 for Gemini. Try both on the same task before paying.
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Neutrality. No affiliate links. No vendor pays to be reviewed, rated or ranked. Reviews are directed by François Chollet, neutral and factual, and every data point is dated and sourced. How we score