kitio.aiClaude vs Z.ai
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Z.ai is completely free, while Claude is freemium.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Projects with shared files
- Artifacts side panel
- Web search and research
- App connectors
- Image and PDF understanding
- GLM model choice
- Thinking mode
- Web search
- Slide and web page generation
- File uploads
| Feature | Claude | Z.ai |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Anthropic's assistant for long documents, writing and careful reasoning | Free chatbot running Zhipu's GLM models for chat, code and slides |
| Category | Chat assistants | Chat assistants |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free |
| Starting price | $20/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes, fully free |
| Made by | Anthropic | Z.ai (formerly Zhipu AI) |
| Based in | United States | China |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Z.ai is completely free, while Claude is freemium.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
6 plans
Free
Free
- Chat on web, desktop and mobile
- Web search, files and code execution
- Memory across conversations
Pro
$20/mo
- More usage than Free
- Claude Code
- Scheduled tasks
- Claude in Chrome and Microsoft 365
Max
$100/mo
- From $100; 5x or 20x Pro usage
- Higher output limits
- $100-$200/mo in API credits
Team Standard
$25/mo
- Per seat
- More usage than Pro
- Claude Code and Cowork
Team Premium
$125/mo
- Per seat
- 5x usage of standard seats
- Pooled API credits
Enterprise
$20/seat + usage
- Billed annually, 20-seat minimum
- Usage at API rates
- Admin spend controls
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Claude
- Natural, well-structured writing
- Handles very long files well
- Strong at code and analysis
- Usage caps reset on a timer
- No built-in image generation
- Heavy users need the pricier Max plan
Z.ai
- Free access to a frontier-class model
- Good at building small web apps
- Open-weight models behind it
- Less known outside developer circles
- Data handled by a Chinese company
- Fewer integrations than big rivals
Which one should you choose?
Choose Claude if you want:
- Natural, well-structured writing
- Handles very long files well
- Strong at code and analysis
Watch out: usage caps reset on a timer.
Choose Z.ai if you want:
- Free access to a frontier-class model
- Good at building small web apps
- Open-weight models behind it
Watch out: less known outside developer circles.
Claude vs Z.ai FAQ
What is the difference between Claude and Z.ai?
Claude: Anthropic's assistant for long documents, writing and careful reasoning. Z.ai: Free chatbot running Zhipu's GLM models for chat, code and slides. Both are chat assistants tools.
Is Claude or Z.ai cheaper?
Z.ai is completely free, while Claude is freemium.
Do Claude and Z.ai have free plans?
Claude: Yes. Z.ai: Yes, fully free.
Who makes Claude?
Claude is made by Anthropic, based in United States.
Who makes Z.ai?
Z.ai is made by Z.ai (formerly Zhipu AI), based in China.
Which should I choose, Claude or Z.ai?
Choose Claude if you value natural, well-structured writing and handles very long files well. Choose Z.ai if you value free access to a frontier-class model and good at building small web apps.