01What Is GLM 5.1 for Free and How It Works

GLM 5.1 for free means you can run China's top open-source model from ZAI without spending any money. You set it up using Olama, OpenClaw, or Claude Code after Anthropic stopped supporting free third-party agents. This model is fast, uses few tokens, and works on your own machine or in the cloud.

ZAI offers free access to GLM 5.1 through its website, chat interface, and agent mode. You can also download it locally with Olama and connect it to tools like OpenClaw or Claude Code. The free tier has token limits, but for most people those limits are enough.

02Main Features of GLM 5.1

  • Free to use – No payment needed for basic use. You get free access via ZAI, Olama cloud, or local setup.
  • Fast responses – In the episode, the model replied almost instantly through OpenClaw and the terminal.
  • Low token usage – It uses fewer tokens than many other models, so your free credits last longer.
  • Two ways to run – Use it on your own computer with Olama or in the cloud through ZAI or Olama cloud.
  • Strong benchmarks – It beats DeepSeek and Minimax M2.7 on HLE and tool-based tests. It's close to Claude Opus 4.6 on several scores.
  • Compatible with OpenClaw and Claude Code – Works as a replacement for Claude in these agent tools.

03How to Set Up GLM 5.1 for Free Step by Step

  1. Go to the Olama website and copy the download command. Paste it into your terminal and run it. This installs Olama on your computer.
  2. Open Olama and go to the models section. Find GLM 5.1 and click to use it directly inside the terminal.
  3. Alternatively, open Olama's web UI, start a new chat, and select GLM 5.1 cloud. This gives you a free cloud version with token limits.
  4. For the full agent experience, visit z.ai. You get free access to the chat and agent without any installation.
  5. To use GLM 5.1 with Claude Code, open a new terminal tab (press Command + T), paste the Claude Code command, and confirm.
  6. To use GLM 5.1 with OpenClaw, run the OpenClaw command in the terminal, type 'yes' to confirm, and wait for the assistant to load.

04How to Use GLM 5.1 with OpenClaw and Claude Code

After setup, you can interact with GLM 5.1 through several interfaces. In the terminal, you type your question and get a reply fast. The episode showed the model responding almost instantly, even faster than expected.

You can also use the Olama web UI, which looks cleaner and is easier to read.

If you use OpenClaw, the model works as your AI assistant. In the episode, the host typed a test and the model replied right away. The same speed applies in Claude Code.

You ask a question or give a command, and GLM 5.1 processes it without delay. All these methods are free as long as you stay within the token limits.

  • Terminal chat – Direct, fast, but text-only.
  • Olama web UI – Cleaner interface, easier to review responses.
  • OpenClaw – Full agent assistant with tool access.
  • Claude Code – Developer-friendly coding assistant.
  • ZAI website – No setup needed, includes agent mode.

05Benchmark Results: GLM 5.1 vs Other Models

The episode showed benchmark comparisons for GLM 5.1. On HLE (Humanity's Last Exam), GLM 5.1 scored 31, while DeepSeek scored 28 and Minimax M2.7 scored 25.1. That means GLM 5.1 is crushing those open-source models on this hard reasoning test.

When compared to Claude Opus 4.6, which is a paid model, GLM 5.1 came close on several metrics. For example, on HLE with tools, GLM 5.1 performed very well. It also did well on GBQA Diamond and Terminal Bench.

The episode emphasized that GLM 5.1 outperforms almost all open-source models on tool-based tasks, which matters for agents like OpenClaw.

These numbers show that you get near top-tier performance without paying anything. The model is especially strong in tasks that involve using external tools.

06Tips, Limits, and Mistakes to Avoid with Free GLM 5.1

  • Stay within token limits – The free cloud version has token caps. If you go over, your access stops. The episode warns: 'as long as you stick within the token limits, you actually get a free setup.'
  • Avoid rinsing credits – Don't use too many tokens too fast. The free tier is meant for reasonable use.
  • Upgrade only if needed – If you need more tokens, a $20/month plan is available, but most people won't need it.
  • Choose the right interface – For clean reading, use the web UI. For speed, use the terminal. OpenClaw works best for agent tasks.
  • Don't ignore installation steps – You must copy and paste the exact commands from Olama's site. A wrong command won't work.

07Who Should Use GLM 5.1 for Free and Why It Matters

GLM 5.1 is for anyone who wants a powerful AI model without paying. Developers, content creators, and AI enthusiasts can run it locally or in the cloud. It replaces Claude in tools like OpenClaw and Claude Code after Anthropic stopped free access.

That means you can still use agent-based workflows for free.

Because it's open source and free, you don't need a subscription. The model is fast, smart, and beats most other free models on benchmarks. For people who want to test AI agents or build projects without cost, GLM 5.1 is a solid choice.

It also gives you access to ZAI's full agent mode, which adds extra capabilities beyond simple chat. This matters because it levels the playing field for small teams and independent builders.

08Additional Ways to Access GLM 5.1 Free Resources

The episode also mentioned a community and training platform called AI Profit Boarding (at AIProfitBoarding.com). There you can find more trainings on GLM 5.1, OpenClaw, and Claude Code. It includes a community to post questions, a classroom with best trainings, a map to connect with local people, and a calendar for weekly coaching calls.

This is a bonus resource for people who want to go deeper.

You can access ZAI directly at z.ai for the free agent and chat. Between Olama, OpenClaw, Claude Code, and ZAI, you have four different free ways to use GLM 5.1. Choose the one that fits your workflow best.