GLM-5

GLM-5 is a 744B-parameter model you reach through an API, with 40B parameters active per token — too large to self-host, so this page covers what it does, how to access it, and what to run locally instead.

PARAMETERS
744B (40B active)
FORMAT
API
RUNS LOCALLY
No
BEST FOR
Reasoning, Quality

You don't run GLM-5 locally

At 744B parameters (40B active per token), a Q4-class build of GLM-5 would need roughly 446 GB — only a maxed-out 512GB Mac Studio could even hold the weights, with no real headroom (0.6 GB per billion parameters, our standard Q4 rule). Access is through the hosted API.

Cloud/API only GLM-5, Zhipu AI's latest reasoning model with MoE architecture.

Strong local alternatives

More Zhipu models

Frequently asked questions

Can I run GLM-5 locally?

Not realistically. GLM-5 is a 744B-parameter model (40B active); a Q4-class build would need roughly 446 GB — only a maxed-out 512GB Mac Studio could even hold the weights, with no real headroom. The hosted API or a smaller open model is the practical path.

How do I access GLM-5?

Through the vendor-hosted API. See the official source linked on this page.

What is the best local alternative to GLM-5?

Qwen3 235B A22B is the strongest local model we track (235B). It runs on a single high-memory Mac or GPU; see its page for exact hardware.

Cite this page

ModelFit: GLM-5 — specs, memory math and hardware verdicts.
https://modelfit.io/models/glm-5/ (dataset updated 2026-09-03, CC BY 4.0).