kitio.aiMiniMax API vs Z.ai API
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. MiniMax API starts at See pricing page and Z.ai API starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
At a glance
Best for
Category
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Long-context text models
- Speech and voice cloning
- Hailuo video API
- Music generation
- Coding plans
- GLM flagship and Flash models
- OpenAI-compatible API
- GLM Coding Plans
- Vision models
- Tool calling
| Feature | MiniMax API | Z.ai API |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | API for MiniMax text, speech, video and music models | Pay-per-token API and coding plans for Zhipu's GLM models |
| Category | Models & APIs | Models & APIs |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | See pricing page | See pricing page |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Made by | MiniMax | Z.ai (formerly Zhipu AI) |
| Based in | China | China |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
|
Pricing compared
MiniMax API starts at See pricing page and Z.ai API starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
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
MiniMax API
- Text, speech and video in one API
- Competitive prices
- Open-weight text models
- Docs split across regions
- Fewer enterprise features
- Model names change often
Z.ai API
- Low cost for strong coding models
- Fixed-price coding plans
- Open weights released
- Less known outside developer circles
- Data processed in China
- Docs can lag releases
Which one should you choose?
Choose MiniMax API if you want:
- Text, speech and video in one API
- Competitive prices
- Open-weight text models
Watch out: docs split across regions.
Choose Z.ai API if you want:
- Low cost for strong coding models
- Fixed-price coding plans
- Open weights released
Watch out: less known outside developer circles.
MiniMax API vs Z.ai API FAQ
What is the difference between MiniMax API and Z.ai API?
MiniMax API: API for MiniMax text, speech, video and music models. Z.ai API: Pay-per-token API and coding plans for Zhipu's GLM models. Both are models & apis tools.
Is MiniMax API or Z.ai API cheaper?
MiniMax API starts at See pricing page and Z.ai API starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do MiniMax API and Z.ai API have free plans?
MiniMax API: No. Z.ai API: No.
Who makes MiniMax API?
MiniMax API is made by MiniMax, based in China.
Who makes Z.ai API?
Z.ai API is made by Z.ai (formerly Zhipu AI), based in China.
Which should I choose, MiniMax API or Z.ai API?
Choose MiniMax API if you value text, speech and video in one api and competitive prices. Choose Z.ai API if you value low cost for strong coding models and fixed-price coding plans.