StepFun vs 
Zhipu AI
Verdict
- Zhipu AI's flagship leads: GLM 5.3 at 63.5 vs Step 5 Preview at 60.5.
- Zhipu AI has the better model in 4 of 4 price bands.
- StepFun's fastest ranked model (Step 5 Preview, 229 tok/s) beats Zhipu AI's (GLM 5.2, 94 tok/s).
- Zhipu AI publishes more open-weights models (15 vs 5).
- Zhipu AI ships more often: one model every 28 days against every 59.
Best model per price band
Each provider’s highest-index model below the price ceiling. Purple marks the winner of the band.
| Price band | StepFun | Zhipu AI |
|---|---|---|
| Under $0.50/M | Step 3.5 Flash 53.7$0.150/M | GLM 5.3 Flash 62.7$0.238/M |
| Under $2/M | Step 5 Preview 60.5$1.43/M | GLM 5.3 Flash 62.7$0.238/M |
| Under $10/M | Step 5 Preview 60.5$1.43/M | GLM 5.3 max 63.5$2.15/M |
| Any price | Step 5 Preview 60.5$1.43/M | GLM 5.3 max 63.5$2.15/M |
Line-up
| Metric | StepFun | Zhipu AI |
|---|---|---|
| Flagship index | 60.5 | 63.5 |
| Ranked models | 7 | 14 |
| Open-weights models | 5 | 15 |
| Cheapest ranked, $/M | $0.150 | $0.153 |
| Fastest ranked, tok/s | 229 | 94 |
| Release cadence, days | 59 | 28 |
| Last release | 18 Sept 2026 | 18 Sept 2026 |
| Next expected | 23 Oct 2026 – 9 Dec 2026 | 4 Oct 2026 – 27 Oct 2026 |