DeepSeek vs 
Zhipu AI
Verdict
- Their flagships are level: DeepSeek V4.1 Flash 1017 64.0 vs GLM 5.3 63.5.
- DeepSeek has the better model in 3 of 4 price bands.
- DeepSeek's fastest ranked model (DeepSeek V4.1 Flash 1017, 195 tok/s) beats Zhipu AI's (GLM 5.2, 94 tok/s).
- DeepSeek publishes more open-weights models (24 vs 15).
- Zhipu AI ships more often: one model every 28 days against every 37.
Best model per price band
Each provider’s highest-index model below the price ceiling. Purple marks the winner of the band.
| Price band | DeepSeek | Zhipu AI |
|---|---|---|
| Under $0.50/M | DeepSeek V4 Flash max 59.4$0.175/M | GLM 5.3 Flash 62.7$0.238/M |
| Under $2/M | DeepSeek V4.1 Flash 1017 max 64.0$0.525/M | GLM 5.3 Flash 62.7$0.238/M |
| Under $10/M | DeepSeek V4.1 Flash 1017 max 64.0$0.525/M | GLM 5.3 max 63.5$2.15/M |
| Any price | DeepSeek V4.1 Flash 1017 max 64.0$0.525/M | GLM 5.3 max 63.5$2.15/M |
Line-up
| Metric | DeepSeek | Zhipu AI |
|---|---|---|
| Flagship index | 64.0 | 63.5 |
| Ranked models | 22 | 14 |
| Open-weights models | 24 | 15 |
| Cheapest ranked, $/M | $0.068 | $0.153 |
| Fastest ranked, tok/s | 195 | 94 |
| Release cadence, days | 37 | 28 |
| Last release | 17 Oct 2026 | 18 Sept 2026 |
| Next expected | 8 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 | 4 Oct 2026 – 27 Oct 2026 |