China’s artificial intelligence industry keeps moving fast, and the latest bold step comes from Zhipu AI. The company announced a migration plan for Claude AI users, inviting them to switch over to its new model, GLM-4.5. With this move, Zhipu not only challenges Anthropic, the U.S. company behind Claude, but also signals that Chinese startups are ready to compete globally in the AI race.
This article explores why Zhipu made this decision, what the migration plan offers, how GLM-4.5 compares to Claude, and what this shift means for developers, businesses, and the wider AI industry.
Why Zhipu Sees an Opportunity
Zhipu has watched Claude AI gain traction worldwide. Many developers and companies rely on Claude for natural language tasks such as customer support, summarization, and creative writing. But in recent months, some restrictions around Claude’s availability created frustration for users, especially in regions where regulatory limits or cost barriers made access harder.
Zhipu sees this frustration as an opportunity. By offering a cheaper, flexible, and technically strong alternative, the company hopes to lure developers who feel trapped. The timing feels strategic. With AI demand exploding in every industry, users want affordable and reliable tools. Zhipu steps into this gap with confidence.
What the Migration Plan Includes
The migration plan targets Claude developers directly. Zhipu promises three key benefits:
- Free tokens for easy testing
Zhipu gives every new user 20 million free tokens. This huge allowance lets developers test the GLM-4.5 model without spending a single dollar. They can run experiments, compare results with Claude, and integrate the model into their products at no upfront cost. - Lower prices for developers
Zhipu offers a developer package that costs only one-seventh of Claude’s price. At the same time, the package allows three times more usage. In simple terms, users pay far less and get far more. For startups, small businesses, and budget-focused developers, this deal feels almost irresistible. - Seamless migration support
Zhipu also provides technical guidance to make the switch smooth. The company publishes tools, documentation, and migration guides so Claude developers do not struggle with compatibility issues.
These incentives show Zhipu’s aggressive approach. It wants to reduce friction, lower costs, and quickly grow its user base.
Understanding GLM-4.5
GLM-4.5 stands as Zhipu’s latest large language model. The company designed it as an upgrade from its earlier GLM-4 system, with improvements in speed, reasoning, and language depth. While Claude has a reputation for strong ethical alignment and careful responses, Zhipu claims GLM-4.5 can match that performance while delivering more efficiency.
Some of the model’s highlights include:
- Advanced reasoning power for complex problem-solving
- Improved code generation for developers building software
- Better multilingual support, with stronger results in Chinese and English
- Energy-efficient design to reduce computing costs
Zhipu’s engineers also emphasize safety controls and content moderation. They want GLM-4.5 to stand as both powerful and responsible, a balance that global regulators and corporate clients demand.
How GLM-4.5 Competes with Claude
Claude, built by Anthropic, won praise for its conversational style, ethical safeguards, and creative abilities. Many users feel comfortable with Claude because it avoids risky outputs and provides thoughtful answers.
Zhipu takes a different approach. While it respects safety, it pushes harder on affordability and scale. For example:
- Pricing edge: Zhipu’s package undercuts Claude dramatically.
- Token generosity: Free tokens let developers test longer and experiment more.
- Regional availability: Zhipu focuses on markets where Claude faces restrictions, giving developers a reliable alternative.
This competition reflects a bigger theme in the AI world. U.S. companies often lead with brand trust and safety narratives, while Chinese companies counter with aggressive pricing and broad access. Developers now stand in the middle, weighing values, budgets, and technical needs.
What This Means for Developers
For developers, Zhipu’s offer feels like a golden ticket. Many face high costs when running AI models at scale. Customer support bots, large-volume summarization tools, and content generation platforms burn through tokens quickly. Costs can crush startups before they scale.
With Zhipu’s package, developers can stretch their budgets three times further. A project that costs $1,000 on Claude could cost around $140 on GLM-4.5 while handling more output. That difference can decide whether a startup survives or shuts down.
The free 20 million tokens also mean developers can run serious tests without risk. Instead of guessing how the model fits their product, they can measure results directly.
Impact on Global AI Competition
Zhipu’s move carries wider meaning beyond individual developers. It highlights the global AI race where Chinese and American companies compete not only on technology but also on business strategy.
Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google dominate Western markets. Their models shape the AI conversation in the U.S. and Europe. But in Asia and emerging regions, price sensitivity plays a stronger role. Here, Zhipu’s model could spread quickly, especially among smaller businesses.
If Zhipu succeeds, it may pressure Western companies to cut prices, increase free usage, or rethink access policies. The result could be a more competitive and affordable AI market for everyone.
Challenges Zhipu Must Face
Despite its bold offer, Zhipu faces serious challenges:
- Trust and credibility
Many global companies know Claude and trust Anthropic’s brand. Zhipu, as a Chinese startup, must prove it can handle sensitive data securely and maintain reliability. - Regulatory environment
AI faces strict rules in China and increasing scrutiny worldwide. Zhipu must balance government expectations with user freedom, a tough task when global politics often influences technology choices. - Technical comparisons
Developers may ask: Does GLM-4.5 really match Claude’s quality? If users find results weaker or less consistent, they may not stay despite low costs. - Scaling support
Attracting users is one thing; supporting them is another. Zhipu must build strong customer support, developer communities, and integration tools to compete globally.
Why This Move Matters for AI Users Everywhere
Even if you do not switch to GLM-4.5, Zhipu’s move benefits you. Competition forces all players to improve. Anthropic may respond by cutting costs or boosting features. OpenAI and others may rethink how much free usage they provide. Every user gains when companies fight for loyalty.
Zhipu’s entry also widens choice. Developers no longer need to depend on one or two Western providers. More diversity in the AI market reduces risk of monopoly and drives innovation.
The Road Ahead
The next few months will show whether Zhipu’s plan works. If developers embrace the migration offer, GLM-4.5 could carve a strong global footprint. If skepticism or quality concerns block adoption, the plan may stall.
Still, the boldness of the strategy deserves attention. Few startups challenge global leaders head-on with such aggressive offers. Zhipu demonstrates that Chinese AI companies no longer aim only at domestic markets—they aim for the world.
Conclusion
Zhipu’s migration plan for Claude users reveals the intensity of today’s AI competition. By offering free tokens, lower prices, and seamless migration, the company sends a clear message: developers deserve affordable and powerful choices. GLM-4.5 now stands as that choice, and its success will depend on trust, quality, and community adoption.
For developers, this creates a moment of possibility. For the AI industry, it marks another chapter in the global race between East and West. And for everyday users, it brings hope that competition will deliver smarter, cheaper, and fairer AI tools.
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