kitio.aiStability AI vs Z.ai API
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Stability AI 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
- Image and video models
- Stable Audio models
- 3D generation models
- Platform API
- Self-hosted license
- Brand Studio
- GLM flagship and Flash models
- OpenAI-compatible API
- GLM Coding Plans
- Vision models
- Tool calling
| Feature | Stability AI | Z.ai API |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Image, video, audio and 3D models via API or self-hosted license | Pay-per-token API and coding plans for Zhipu's GLM models |
| Category | Models & APIs | Models & APIs |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting price | See pricing page | See pricing page |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Made by | Stability AI | Z.ai (formerly Zhipu AI) |
| Based in | United Kingdom | China |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Stability AI 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
Stability AI
- Open-weight models you can run yourself
- Covers image, video, audio and 3D
- Several deployment options
- Pricing not shown on the homepage
- Enterprise products need a sales contact
- Self-hosting needs capable GPUs
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 Stability AI if you want:
- Open-weight models you can run yourself
- Covers image, video, audio and 3D
- Several deployment options
Watch out: pricing not shown on the homepage.
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.
Stability AI vs Z.ai API FAQ
What is the difference between Stability AI and Z.ai API?
Stability AI: Image, video, audio and 3D models via API or self-hosted license. Z.ai API: Pay-per-token API and coding plans for Zhipu's GLM models. Both are models & apis tools.
Is Stability AI or Z.ai API cheaper?
Stability AI starts at See pricing page and Z.ai API starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do Stability AI and Z.ai API have free plans?
Stability AI: Yes. Z.ai API: No.
Who makes Stability AI?
Stability AI is made by Stability AI, based in United Kingdom.
Who makes Z.ai API?
Z.ai API is made by Z.ai (formerly Zhipu AI), based in China.
Which should I choose, Stability AI or Z.ai API?
Choose Stability AI if you value open-weight models you can run yourself and covers image, video, audio and 3d. Choose Z.ai API if you value low cost for strong coding models and fixed-price coding plans.