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Image model comparison · 2 models · Updated Nov 2, 2026

GLM-Image vs GPT-5 Image

Newest: GLM-Image · Widest inputs: GPT-5 Image · Self-hosting: GLM-Image. Not enough arena votes yet for a quality score, so this is a spec comparison.

  1. Z.ai (Zhipu)

    GLM-Image

    Released Jan 14, 2026

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,012
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove GLM-Image

  2. OpenAI

    GPT-5 Image

    Released Oct 14, 2025

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena—
    • From—
    • Max size—
    Full specs Remove GPT-5 Image

  3. Add a model

    Make it a three-way comparison.

01 — At a glance

Where they differ

Quality is the arena score from blind, side-by-side human votes. Price, length and resolution come from each lab’s own listings.

  • NewestGLM-ImageGLM-Image Jan 14, 2026 · GPT-5 Image Oct 14, 2025
  • Widest inputsGPT-5 ImageGLM-Image: Text prompts, Reference images · GPT-5 Image: Text prompts, Reference images, PDFs
  • Image editingBoth edit imagesTakes a reference image as input: GLM-Image yes · GPT-5 Image yes
  • Self-hostingGLM-ImageDownloadable weights (MIT)
  • Most API hostsGPT-5 ImageGLM-Image: 1 · GPT-5 Image: 2
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

GLM-Image vs GPT-5 Image specifications side by side
SpecificationGLM-ImageZ.ai (Zhipu)GPT-5 ImageOpenAI
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better1,012 ±9#76 of 82 · 4,854 votes—
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesYes
Access
WeightsOpenMITProprietary
API hosts12 (best)
ReleasedJan 14, 2026Oct 14, 2025
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, GLM-Image or GPT-5 Image?

Neither model has enough arena votes for a reliable quality score yet, so this page compares specs only. Run the same three or four prompts through each and judge the results.

What is the difference between GLM-Image and GPT-5 Image?

GLM-Image is an image model from Z.ai (Zhipu) (Jan 14, 2026), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images. GPT-5 Image is an image model from OpenAI (Oct 14, 2025), taking text prompts, reference images and pdfs and producing images.

Which is newer?

GLM-Image Jan 14, 2026; GPT-5 Image Oct 14, 2025.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: GLM-Image yes; GPT-5 Image yes.

Can I run any of these on my own hardware?

GLM-Image. Downloadable weights (MIT).

04 — Keep comparing

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