GLM-5.1 vs Kimi K2.5
GLM-5.1 (2026) and Kimi K2.5 (2026) compare a standalone API model against a coding-specialized model. GLM-5.1 ships a 200k-token context window, while Kimi K2.5 ships a 256k-token context window. On Google-Proof Q&A, Kimi K2.5 leads by 1.7 pts. On pricing, Kimi K2.5 costs $0.44/1M input tokens versus $1.05/1M for the alternative. This page treats the result as workflow and deployment fit, not a universal model winner.
Treat this as a product-type comparison: GLM-5.1 is standalone API model, while Kimi K2.5 is coding-specialized model. Choose based on workflow fit before reading any benchmark or price row as decisive.
Decision scorecard
Local evidence first| Signal | GLM-5.1 | Kimi K2.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Product type | Standalone API model | Coding-specialized model |
| Best for | reasoning-heavy apps, tool-calling agents, and provider-routed production | custom coding agents, code generation, and tool loops |
| Decision fit | Coding, RAG, and Agents | Coding, RAG, and Agents |
| Context window | 200k | 256k |
| Cheapest output | $3.50/1M tokens | $2/1M tokens |
| Provider routes | 5 tracked | 10 tracked |
| Shared benchmarks | 6 shared | Google-Proof Q&A leader |
Decision tradeoffs
- GLM-5.1 holds a shared-benchmark lead on MCP-Atlas, ahead by 42.3 points.
- GLM-5.1 uniquely exposes Reasoning and Code execution in local model data.
- Local decision data tags GLM-5.1 for Coding, RAG, and Agents.
- Kimi K2.5 holds a shared-benchmark lead on Google-Proof Q&A, ahead by 1.7 points.
- Kimi K2.5 has the larger context window for long prompts, retrieval packs, or transcript analysis.
- Kimi K2.5 has the lower cheapest tracked output price at $2/1M tokens.
- Kimi K2.5 has broader tracked provider coverage for fallback and route flexibility.
- Kimi K2.5 uniquely exposes Vision and Multimodal in local model data.
Monthly cost at traffic
Estimate token spend from the cheapest tracked input and output route or tier on this page.
GLM-5.1
$1,715
Cheapest tracked route/tier: OpenRouter
Kimi K2.5
$852
Cheapest tracked route/tier: OpenRouter
Estimated monthly gap: $863. Batch, cache, alternate speed tiers, and negotiated pricing are excluded from this local estimate.
Switch friction
- Provider overlap exists on Fireworks AI, OpenRouter, and Vercel AI Gateway; start route-level A/B tests there.
- Kimi K2.5 is $1.50/1M tokens lower on cheapest tracked output pricing before cache, batch, or negotiated discounts.
- Check replacement coverage for Reasoning and Code execution before moving production traffic.
- Kimi K2.5 adds Vision and Multimodal in local capability data.
- Provider overlap exists on OpenRouter, Fireworks AI, and Vercel AI Gateway; start route-level A/B tests there.
- GLM-5.1 is $1.50/1M tokens higher on cheapest tracked output pricing, so quality gains need to justify the spend.
- Check replacement coverage for Vision and Multimodal before moving production traffic.
- GLM-5.1 adds Reasoning and Code execution in local capability data.
Specs
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2026-04-07 | 2026-03-15 |
| Context window | 200k | 256k |
| Parameters | 754B total, 40B active | 1T (MoE, 384 experts) |
| Architecture | Mixture of Experts | Mixture of Experts |
| License | MITOSI-approved | Proprietary |
| Openness | Open source | Proprietary |
| Weights | Available | Not released |
| Code | Unknown | Unknown |
| Commercial use | Commercial use: permitted | Commercial use: conditional |
| Knowledge cutoff | 2025-11 | - |
Pricing and availability
| Pricing attribute | GLM-5.1 | Kimi K2.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Input price | $1.05/1M tokens | $0.44/1M tokens |
| Output price | $3.50/1M tokens | $2/1M tokens |
| Providers |
Capabilities
| Capability | GLM-5.1 | Kimi K2.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Vision | No | Yes |
| Multimodal | No | Yes |
| Reasoning | Yes | No |
| JSON / Tool use | Yes | Yes |
| Structured outputs | Yes | Yes |
| Code execution | Yes | No |
| IDE integration | No | No |
| Computer use | No | No |
| Parallel agents | No | No |
Benchmarks
| Benchmark | GLM-5.1 | Kimi K2.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Google-Proof Q&A | 86.2 | 87.9 |
| AIME 2025 | 95.3 | 96.1 |
| Humanity's Last Exam | 31.0 | 50.2 |
| MCP-Atlas | 71.8 | 29.5 |
| Terminal-Bench 2.0 | 63.5 | 50.8 |
| SWE-rebench | 62.7 | 58.5 |
Continue comparing
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Last reviewed: 2026-06-30. Data sourced from public model cards and provider documentation.