In February 2026, the AI landscape shifted dramatically with the release of GLM-5 by Zhipu AI (Z.ai). This frontier-level open-source model, boasting 744 billion total parameters (40B active in its Mixture-of-Experts architecture), delivers performance that rivals or surpasses leading closed models like Claude Opus 4.5 in key areas such as coding and long-horizon agentic tasks. Trained entirely on domestic Huawei Ascend chips, GLM-5 represents China’s push toward self-reliant, high-performance AI. This comprehensive guide covers its features, benchmarks, real-world applications, and step-by-step usage—helping developers, engineers, and enterprises harness its power efficiently in 2026.
What is GLM-5?
GLM-5 is Zhipu AI’s fifth-generation flagship large language model, officially released on February 11, 2026. It marks a transition from “vibe coding” to agentic engineering, focusing on complex systems engineering and long-horizon tasks. Key upgrades include scaling from GLM-4.5’s 355B parameters (32B active) to 744B total (40B active), with pre-training expanded to 28.5 trillion tokens. It incorporates DeepSeek Sparse Attention (DSA) for efficient long-context handling up to 200K tokens, while significantly reducing deployment costs.
Released under the MIT License with full weights on Hugging Face and ModelScope, GLM-5 is fully open-source. It supports advanced features like function calling, structured output, context caching, and direct generation of Office documents. API access via z.ai starts at competitive pricing: $1.00 per million input tokens and $3.20 per million output tokens.
Key Features of GLM-5
GLM-5 stands out with cutting-edge innovations tailored for demanding workloads:
- Massive Scale & Efficiency — 744B parameters with MoE architecture and DSA for cost-effective long-context performance.
- Superior Coding & Agentic Capabilities — Leads open-source models in SWE-bench Verified (77.8%) and excels in long-horizon simulations like Vending Bench 2.
- Record-Low Hallucination Rate — Achieves top rankings on independent evaluations for reliability.
- Native Tool Integration — Supports thinking modes, real-time streaming, and structured outputs for complex workflows.
- Direct Document Generation — Creates .docx, .pdf, and .xlsx files natively, streamlining enterprise tasks.
- Hardware Independence — Fully trained on Chinese-made chips, enabling on-prem deployment without foreign restrictions.
These advancements make GLM-5 ideal for software engineering, autonomous agents, and research requiring sustained reasoning.
GLM-5 Benchmarks vs Leading Models in 2026
GLM-5 delivers best-in-class open-source results across major evaluations. Here’s a comparison table based on official and independent reports:
| Benchmark | GLM-5 | Claude Opus 4.5 | Gemini 3 Pro | DeepSeek (Latest) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SWE-bench Verified | 77.8% | 80.9% | 76.2% | ~76-80% | GLM-5 outperforms Gemini, closes gap to Claude |
| AIME 2026 | 92.7% | 92.9% | 92.5% | 93.3% | Near state-of-the-art math performance |
| GPQA-Diamond | 86.0% | 87.0% | 91.9% | 92.4% | Strong reasoning for open models |
| Humanity’s Last Exam (w/ Tools) | 50.4% | ~45-52% | ~45% | ~51% | Leads open-source on hard reasoning |
| Vending Bench 2 | #1 Open-Source | Top overall | – | – | Excels in long-term operational tasks |
Data sourced from z.ai official blog, Artificial Analysis, and independent leaderboards (February 2026). GLM-5 narrows the frontier gap dramatically while remaining fully open and affordable.
How to Get Started with GLM-5
Implementing GLM-5 is straightforward thanks to its open weights and broad platform support. Follow these practical steps:
- Download Weights — Access full model on Hugging Face (zai-org/GLM-5) or ModelScope under MIT License.
- Local Deployment — Use tools like Unsloth or vLLM; requires ~1.5TB VRAM in BF16 for full model (quantized versions available for smaller setups).
- API Integration — Test instantly via api.z.ai, OpenRouter, or compatible endpoints (Claude-like format).
- Prompt Examples — For agentic tasks: “Plan and execute a 6-month software project roadmap using function calls.” For documents: “Generate a detailed .xlsx sales forecast for Q1-Q4 2026.”
- Optimization Tips — Enable context caching for long sessions; combine with slime RL infrastructure for custom fine-tuning.
Developers can deploy production-grade agents or engineering tools in hours, not weeks.
Real-World Applications of GLM-5
GLM-5 excels where sustained intelligence matters most:
- Software Engineering — Automate complex codebases with top-tier SWE-bench scores.
- Autonomous Agents — Handle multi-step, long-horizon tasks like business simulation or research planning.
- Enterprise Productivity — Generate professional reports, spreadsheets, and analyses directly.
- Scientific & Mathematical Reasoning — Near-SOTA performance on AIME, GPQA, and IMO-level problems.
- On-Premise & Secure Deployments — Ideal for regulated industries thanks to open weights and domestic training.
Chinese enterprises and global developers are already leveraging GLM-5 to build next-gen AI systems.
FAQ about GLM-5
Is GLM-5 really open-source? Yes—full weights under MIT License, downloadable from Hugging Face and ModelScope.
How does GLM-5 compare to Claude Opus 4.5? It approaches or matches in coding/agentic tasks, leads open-source benchmarks, and costs far less via API or self-hosting.
What hardware is needed to run GLM-5 locally? Full model needs high-end multi-GPU setups (~1.5TB VRAM); use quantized versions or cloud services like DeepInfra for smaller requirements.
Does GLM-5 support multimodal inputs? Primarily text-focused with strong tool integration; vision/multimodal extensions available via ecosystem.
Is GLM-5 safe for production use? Yes—record-low hallucination rates and robust post-training make it reliable for enterprise and agentic applications.
Conclusion
GLM-5, launched in February 2026, redefines what’s possible with open-source AI—delivering frontier performance in agentic engineering, coding, and long-horizon reasoning at accessible costs. Whether you’re building autonomous systems, automating complex workflows, or pushing AI research forward, GLM-5 offers unmatched value. Head to Hugging Face or z.ai today, experiment with the model, and join the agentic future. Start building with GLM-5 now!
