GLM-5.1 vs Qwen3.6-27B

GLM-5.1 (2026) and Qwen3.6-27B (2026) compare a standalone API model against a coding-specialized model. GLM-5.1 ships a 200k-token context window, while Qwen3.6-27B ships a 262k-token context window. On SWE-bench Pro, GLM-5.1 leads by 4.9 pts. On pricing, Qwen3.6-27B costs $0.32/1M 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 Qwen3.6-27B is coding-specialized model. Choose based on workflow fit before reading any benchmark or price row as decisive.

Decision scorecard

Local evidence first
SignalGLM-5.1Qwen3.6-27B
Product typeStandalone API modelCoding-specialized model
Best forreasoning-heavy apps, tool-calling agents, and provider-routed productioncustom coding agents, code generation, and tool loops
Decision fitCoding, RAG, and AgentsCoding, RAG, and Agents
Context window200k262k
Cheapest output$3.50/1M tokens$3.20/1M tokens
Provider routes5 tracked5 tracked
Shared benchmarksSWE-bench Pro leader3 shared

Decision tradeoffs

Choose GLM-5.1 when...
  • GLM-5.1 holds a shared-benchmark lead on SWE-bench Pro, ahead by 4.9 points.
  • GLM-5.1 uniquely exposes Structured outputs and Code execution in local model data.
  • Local decision data tags GLM-5.1 for Coding, RAG, and Agents.
Choose Qwen3.6-27B when...
  • Qwen3.6-27B holds a shared-benchmark lead on Google-Proof Q&A, ahead by 1.6 points.
  • Qwen3.6-27B has the larger context window for long prompts, retrieval packs, or transcript analysis.
  • Qwen3.6-27B has the lower cheapest tracked output price at $3.20/1M tokens.
  • Qwen3.6-27B uniquely exposes Vision and Multimodal in local model data.
  • Local decision data tags Qwen3.6-27B for Coding, RAG, and Agents.

Monthly cost at traffic

Estimate token spend from the cheapest tracked input and output route or tier on this page.

Lower estimate Qwen3.6-27B

GLM-5.1

$1,715

Cheapest tracked route/tier: OpenRouter

Qwen3.6-27B

$1,056

Cheapest tracked route/tier: OpenRouter

Estimated monthly gap: $659. Batch, cache, alternate speed tiers, and negotiated pricing are excluded from this local estimate.

Switch friction

GLM-5.1 -> Qwen3.6-27B
  • Provider overlap exists on OpenRouter, Vercel AI Gateway, and Novita AI; start route-level A/B tests there.
  • Qwen3.6-27B is $0.30/1M tokens lower on cheapest tracked output pricing before cache, batch, or negotiated discounts.
  • Check replacement coverage for Structured outputs and Code execution before moving production traffic.
  • Qwen3.6-27B adds Vision and Multimodal in local capability data.
Qwen3.6-27B -> GLM-5.1
  • Provider overlap exists on OpenRouter, Vercel AI Gateway, and Novita AI; start route-level A/B tests there.
  • GLM-5.1 is $0.30/1M 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 Structured outputs and Code execution in local capability data.

Specs

Specification
Released2026-04-072026-04-27
Context window200k262k
Parameters754B total, 40B active27B
ArchitectureMixture of ExpertsDecoder Only
LicenseMITOSI-approvedApache 2.0OSI-approved
OpennessOpen sourceOpen source
WeightsAvailableAvailable
CodeUnknownUnknown
Commercial useCommercial use: permittedCommercial use: permitted
Knowledge cutoff2025-11-

Pricing and availability

Pricing attributeGLM-5.1Qwen3.6-27B
Input price$1.05/1M tokens$0.32/1M tokens
Output price$3.50/1M tokens$3.20/1M tokens
Providers
Z.aiOpenRouterFireworks AIVercel AI GatewayNovita AI
OpenRouterAlibaba Cloud PAI-EASVercel AI GatewayNovita AIFeatherless

Capabilities

CapabilityGLM-5.1Qwen3.6-27B
VisionNoYes
MultimodalNoYes
ReasoningYesYes
JSON / Tool useYesYes
Structured outputsYesNo
Code executionYesNo
IDE integrationNoNo
Computer useNoNo
Parallel agentsNoNo

Benchmarks

BenchmarkGLM-5.1Qwen3.6-27B
SWE-bench Pro58.453.5
Google-Proof Q&A86.287.8
Humanity's Last Exam31.024.0

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Last reviewed: 2026-10-09. Data sourced from public model cards and provider documentation.