API cost decision in 10 seconds

NewLFM3-1.7B (free) vs GLM Flash Latest

Pick LFM3-1.7B (free) for lower cost; pick GLM Flash Latest only if the larger context window matters more.

Page updated:  Data confirmed:  Prices normalized to USD per 1M tokens Sample workload: 1M input + 500K output

Budget verdict

Pick LFM3-1.7B (free) for lower cost; pick GLM Flash Latest only if the larger context window matters more.

On the standard 1M input plus 500K output workload, LFM3-1.7B (free) is estimated at $0 vs $0.07 for GLM Flash Latest, saving $0.07 (100% lower).

Cost-first pickLFM3-1.7B (free)
Context-first pickGLM Flash Latest
Sample savings$0.07100%
10x traffic gap$0.75

GLM Flash Latest has more context, but LFM3-1.7B (free) saves $0.07 on the standard workload. At 10x that traffic, the same price gap is about $0.75. Use the calculator below to replace the sample workload with your own token volume.

Cost sensitivity

Workload Sensitivity

Same prices, different token mixes.

LFM3-1.7B (free) stays cheaper across input-heavy, balanced, and output-heavy sample workloads.

Workload shapeToken mixBetter pickLFM3-1.7B (free)GLM Flash Latest
Input-heavy / RAG5M input + 500K outputLFM3-1.7B (free)$0$0.19
Balanced workload1M input + 1M outputLFM3-1.7B (free)$0$0.12
Output-heavy chatbot1M input + 5M outputLFM3-1.7B (free)$0$0.49
Cheaper input LFM3-1.7B (free) $0 vs $0.0284 / 1M

LFM3-1.7B (free) is free for input tokens while GLM Flash Latest costs $0.03 per 1M tokens.

Cheaper output LFM3-1.7B (free) $0 vs $0.0923 / 1M

LFM3-1.7B (free) is free for output tokens while GLM Flash Latest costs $0.09 per 1M tokens.

Larger context GLM Flash Latest 262.14K vs 1.05M

GLM Flash Latest has 786.43K more context (4x larger).

Sample workload LFM3-1.7B (free) $0 vs $0.07

LFM3-1.7B (free) is free for the standard workload while the other model is estimated at $0.07.

Estimate your workload cost

Your Workload Cost

Prices are normalized to USD per 1M tokens.
LFM3-1.7B (free) Calculating… Estimated API cost
GLM Flash Latest Calculating… Estimated API cost
Cheaper for this workload Calculating… Difference: calculating…

This estimate uses normalized public API pricing per 1M tokens. It is a planning aid, not a billing quote. Verify provider pricing, limits, and terms before production use.

Quick Decision

Verdict

LFM3-1.7B (free) has the lower input price; LFM3-1.7B (free) has the lower output price; GLM Flash Latest offers the larger context window. For the 1M input plus 500K output sample, LFM3-1.7B (free) is cheaper for the standard workload.

For a 1M input token plus 500K output token workload, the estimated API cost is $0 for LFM3-1.7B (free) and $0.07 for GLM Flash Latest.

Best Fit

Choose LFM3-1.7B (free) when you care most about lower input-token price, and lower output-token price.

Choose GLM Flash Latest when you care most about larger context window.

Decision Notes
  • On the standard 1M input plus 500K output workload, LFM3-1.7B (free) is estimated at $0 vs $0.07 for GLM Flash Latest, saving $0.07 (100% lower).
  • LFM3-1.7B (free) is free for the standard workload while the other model is estimated at $0.07.
  • LFM3-1.7B (free) is free for input tokens while GLM Flash Latest costs $0.03 per 1M tokens.
  • LFM3-1.7B (free) is free for output tokens while GLM Flash Latest costs $0.09 per 1M tokens.
  • GLM Flash Latest has 786.43K more context (4x larger).
Head-to-Head Specs
FeatureNewLFM3-1.7B (free)
(LiquidAI)		GLM Flash Latest
(Z.ai)
Input Price
prompt tokens per 1M		$0$0.0284
Completion Price
per 1M tokens		$0$0.0923
Sample Workload Cost
1M input + 500K output		$0$0.07
Context Window262.14K1.05M
Release Date

Use-Case Decision Matrix

Use caseBetter pickWhy
Budget-constrained productionLFM3-1.7B (free)On the standard 1M input plus 500K output workload, LFM3-1.7B (free) is estimated at $0 vs $0.07 for GLM Flash Latest, saving $0.07 (100% lower).
High-volume input processingLFM3-1.7B (free)Lower prompt-token price matters most when prompts, retrieved passages, or documents dominate the bill.
Long responses and chatbotsLFM3-1.7B (free)Lower output-token price matters most when assistants generate many completion tokens.
RAG or long-document workGLM Flash LatestA larger context window leaves more room for retrieved passages, conversation history, or source files.

Related Alternatives

Same-provider lower-cost swaps
  • GLM 5.2 (free) can replace GLM Flash Latest when lower sample workload cost matters most: $0.
  • GLM 4.5 Air (free) can replace GLM Flash Latest when lower sample workload cost matters most: $0.
Larger context near this budget
  • Owl Alpha offers 1.05M context with $0 sample workload cost.

Cheaper alternatives

Review low-cost models sorted by a standard 1M input plus 500K output workload.

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Larger context alternatives

Find models with larger context windows for RAG, long documents, and codebase review.

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Provider catalogs

Compare models within provider hubs before choosing a final API vendor.

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LiquidAI catalog

Review all tracked LiquidAI models before deciding whether this matchup is the right shortlist.

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Z.ai catalog

Check other Z.ai models with comparable pricing, context, or release timing.

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LFM3-1.7B (free)

A compact 1.7B-parameter text model with a 256K-token context, post-trained for agents, tool calling, and structured outputs. It reasons before it answers. Prompts and outputs may be retained and used...

GLM Flash Latest

This model always redirects to the latest model in the GLM Flash family.