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Z.ai alternatives

Z.ai compared with 5 alternatives: DeepSeek, Kimi, Qwen Studio, ChatGPT and Claude.

Z.ai has a free plan. Paid plans start at $12.60 per month, billed yearly ($151.20), or $18 billed monthly. All 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan.

5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 5, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
Z.aiThis toolFree plan · from $12.60/moYesWeb
DeepSeekFreeFreeWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
KimiFree plan · from $15/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Browser extension
Qwen StudioFree planYesWeb, iOS, Android
ChatGPTFree plan · from $8/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
ClaudeFree plan · from $17/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension

How each one differs from Z.ai

  1. DeepSeek

    Free AI chat assistant built on DeepSeek's openly released models

    • DeepSeek is free. Z.ai starts at $12.60 per month, billed yearly ($151.20), or $18 billed monthly.
    • Only DeepSeek lists iOS, Android, macOS and Windows apps.
    • DeepSeek is open source, according to its own site.
    • Z.ai also covers app builder and presentations.

    Suits: Free chat with no subscription tier to outgrow

    DeepSeek vs Z.aiDeepSeek pricing and details

  2. Kimi

    AI assistant and agent for research, slides, documents and code

    • Kimi starts at $15 per month, billed annually ($180), or $19 billed monthly. Z.ai starts at $12.60 per month, billed yearly ($151.20), or $18 billed monthly.
    • Only Kimi lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Kimi lists a browser extension.
    • Kimi also covers research.
    • Z.ai also covers AI search.

    Suits: Turning research into slide decks, reports and spreadsheets

    Kimi vs Z.aiKimi pricing and details

  3. Qwen Studio

    Alibaba Cloud's chat app for the Qwen family of AI models

    • Only Qwen Studio lists iOS and Android apps.
    • Z.ai also covers AI agents, app builder and presentations.

    Suits: People who want to use Alibaba's Qwen models in a chat app

    Qwen Studio vs Z.aiQwen Studio pricing and details

  4. ChatGPT

    OpenAI's general-purpose AI assistant for chat, images and voice

    • ChatGPT starts at $8 per month (Go). Z.ai starts at $12.60 per month, billed yearly ($151.20), or $18 billed monthly.
    • Only ChatGPT lists macOS, Windows, iOS and Android apps.
    • Z.ai also covers AI agents, app builder and presentations.

    Suits: General-purpose help with writing, questions and brainstorming

    ChatGPT vs Z.aiChatGPT pricing and details

  5. Claude

    Anthropic's AI assistant for writing, analysis and coding

    • Claude starts at $17 per month with an annual subscription ($200 billed up front). Z.ai starts at $12.60 per month, billed yearly ($151.20), or $18 billed monthly.
    • Only Claude lists macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
    • Only Claude lists a browser extension.
    • Z.ai also covers AI agents, app builder and presentations.

    Suits: Writing, analysis and coding help in one assistant

    Claude vs Z.aiClaude pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Z.ai

  • Paid tiers are the GLM Coding Plan, which the docs limit to supported coding and agent tools; what a tier adds in the chat app beyond higher agent limits is not documented.
  • Free usage limits are not published: the app only reports that the agent quota is exhausted and when to retry.
  • The chat assistant is a web app only: Z.ai's pages list no mobile app for it, and none appeared in US App Store or Google Play searches when checked.
  • Subscriptions renew automatically and are non-refundable once purchased, and team plans need at least 2 seats.
Z.ai pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Z.ai?

The alternatives to Z.ai in this directory are DeepSeek, Kimi, Qwen Studio, ChatGPT and Claude. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Z.ai.

Is there a free alternative to Z.ai?

Yes. DeepSeek is free to use. Kimi, Qwen Studio, ChatGPT and Claude have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Z.ai alternatives work on Windows?

The Z.ai listing does not include a Windows app. DeepSeek, Kimi, ChatGPT and Claude list one.

Which Z.ai alternatives work on macOS?

The Z.ai listing does not include a macOS app. DeepSeek, Kimi, ChatGPT and Claude list one.

Is there an open-source alternative to Z.ai?

DeepSeek is described as open source on its own site.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 5, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

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