GLM Coding presents a budget-friendly option compared to Claude Code, potentially saving developers significant money. This article explores if GLM's $3 plan delivers comparable results for coding tasks.
Why Choose GLM Coding Over Claude Code?
GLM 4.5 offers strong performance at a fraction of the cost of Claude Sonnet. It provides two plans: one at $3 with 120 prompts every five hours, and another at $15 for heavier use. Developers report that GLM handles coding work effectively, often with little difference from more expensive options.
GLM excels in managing high context levels, staying focused even at 80-90% usage. This makes it reliable for daily tasks, appealing to those avoiding premium prices.
- Key benefits of GLM include cost savings of about 90% compared to Claude.
- It supports coding and reasoning tasks through its architecture.
- Users find it usable for projects when they know programming basics.
How GLM's Features Stack Up
GLM 4.5 uses a Mixture of Experts design with 355 billion parameters, including 32 billion active ones. It processes up to 128,000 tokens, ideal for large codebases. The model switches between thinking mode for complex problems and a faster mode for quick responses.
In benchmarks, GLM achieves high tool-calling success at 90.6% and strong results in math and reasoning tests. It ranks third overall, ahead of some premium models in specific areas.
- Architecture: 355B total parameters with MoE design.
- Context length: 128,000 tokens.
- Training: Includes 7T tokens focused on code.
Claude Code's Strengths and Weaknesses
Claude Code integrates directly into terminals, allowing file edits and command runs without switching tools. It handles entire codebases and supports IDEs like VS Code.
However, its pricing starts at $20 monthly, which can escalate. For example, higher tiers go up to $200 for more features and usage.
- Native integration: Works with VS Code and JetBrains.
- Context management: Up to 1M tokens.
- Security: Includes enterprise tools like audit logs.
| Feature | GLM 4.5 | Claude Code |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing (basic) | $3 for 120 prompts | $20 for about 45 messages |
| Context window | 128K tokens | Up to 1M tokens |
| Benchmark win rate | 80.8% in tests | Varies, often higher in IDE tasks |
Performance and Real Use Cases
In practice, GLM performs well for full-stack development, creating apps from simple descriptions. Tests show it wins against other models in many tasks, though Claude leads in IDE integration.
For budget developers, GLM's value is clear with its low cost and solid results. It suits solo work but may lack in team settings where Claude shines.
- GLM wins 80.8% of tasks against competitors.
- It handles agentic tasks better in some scenarios.
- Claude is ideal for complex project management.
Getting Started with These Tools
Setting up GLM with its integrations is straightforward, focusing on coding needs. After the third heading, here is a quick video overview:
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