# Google Gemini vs Z.ai Chat

> Google Gemini: Google's AI assistant for chat, research, image and video creation, and Workspace apps
> Z.ai Chat: Free GLM-powered AI chatbot and agent from Zhipu AI for writing, coding and research

- Google Gemini profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/gemini
- Z.ai Chat profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/z-ai
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/gemini-vs-z-ai
- Last reviewed: October 2026

## Verdict

Google Gemini and Z.ai Chat are both AI Assistants tools. Google Gemini scores higher in FinderAtlas's editorial review (8.7 vs 8.0 out of 10). Both have a free plan or trial. Only Google Gemini is available on iOS and Android.

### Choose Google Gemini if

- You want a tool built for everyday assistant tasks for people who already use Gmail, Docs, Drive and Android, plus research, multimodal analysis and quick image or video generation.
- A capable free tier that includes Deep Research, Gemini Live, image generation and Canvas.
- Integration with Gmail, Docs, Drive, Maps and YouTube for people already in Google's ecosystem.

### Choose Z.ai Chat if

- You want a tool built for trying GLM models at no cost, drafting and summarizing text, coding questions, low-cost API experimentation.
- Free web chat with recent GLM models and no subscription needed.
- Low per-token API prices, such as $0.15 input and $0.50 output per 1M tokens for GLM-5.3-Flash.

## Pricing

| | Google Gemini | Z.ai Chat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan or trial | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |

## Features

| Feature | Google Gemini | Z.ai Chat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gemini Live | Yes | Not listed |
| Deep Research | Yes | Not listed |
| Image, Video and Music Generation | Yes | Not listed |
| Gems | Yes | Not listed |
| Canvas | Yes | Not listed |
| Google App Extensions | Yes | Not listed |
| Search Grounding | Yes | Not listed |
| Android App Actions | Yes | Not listed |
| Long-Context File Analysis | Yes | Not listed |
| GLM Chat | Not listed | Yes |
| Agent Capabilities | Not listed | Yes |
| Vision Understanding | Not listed | Yes |
| Coding Assistance | Not listed | Yes |
| GLM Coding Plan | Not listed | Yes |
| Web Search and Web Reader MCP | Not listed | Yes |
| Z.ai API Platform | Not listed | Yes |
| Open-Weights Models | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

| Platform | Google Gemini | Z.ai Chat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | No | No |
| macOS | No | No |
| iOS | Yes | No |
| Android | Yes | No |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Browser Extension | No | No |

## Google Gemini strengths

- A capable free tier that includes Deep Research, Gemini Live, image generation and Canvas
- Integration with Gmail, Docs, Drive, Maps and YouTube for people already in Google's ecosystem
- Native handling of text, voice, images, video and files in one app
- Low-cost AI Plus tier at $4.99 per month, plus bundled storage on every paid plan
- Available on web, Android and iOS, with Android app automation

## Google Gemini limitations

- Higher-end models and Workspace integration require the $19.99 per month Pro plan or above
- Usage limits depend on prompt complexity and reset every 5 hours until a weekly cap, which makes capacity hard to predict
- The top Ultra plans cost $99.99 to $199.99 per month
- Some features vary by country, language and age, so availability differs between users

## Z.ai Chat strengths

- Free web chat with recent GLM models and no subscription needed.
- Low per-token API prices, such as $0.15 input and $0.50 output per 1M tokens for GLM-5.3-Flash.
- Many GLM models are open-weights, so they can be self-hosted.
- The Coding Plan works with 20+ existing coding agent tools rather than locking users into one editor.
- Vision, search and reader tools are included in Coding Plan tiers.

## Z.ai Chat limitations

- No confirmed official native iOS or Android app for the chat.
- Coding Plan terms have changed several times (legacy plans replaced by credits on July 30, 2026), which makes usage harder to predict.
- Service is operated by a China-based company, which may be a concern for data-residency-sensitive users.
- Free chat usage limits are not publicly documented.

## FAQ

**Is Google Gemini better than Z.ai Chat?**

It depends on your workflow. Google Gemini is built for everyday assistant tasks for people who already use Gmail, Docs, Drive and Android, plus research, multimodal analysis and quick image or video generation. Z.ai Chat is built for trying GLM models at no cost, drafting and summarizing text, coding questions, low-cost API experimentation.

**What are the key feature differences between Google Gemini and Z.ai Chat?**

Google Gemini: Google's AI assistant for chat, research, image and video creation, and Workspace apps. Z.ai Chat: Free GLM-powered AI chatbot and agent from Zhipu AI for writing, coding and research.

**Does Google Gemini or Z.ai Chat have a free plan?**

Yes, both do. Google Gemini is freemium and Z.ai Chat is freemium, and each has a free plan or trial.

**Which is cheaper, Google Gemini or Z.ai Chat?**

Both can be used for free. Paid plans differ in limits and features, so compare the tiers in the pricing table above.