<!-- twin of https://specstream.ai/alternatives/zhipu-web-search -->
# Zhipu web search API alternative in 2026: $1 per 1,000 for GLM

Compared on Nov 12, 2026. The page: https://specstream.ai/alternatives/zhipu-web-search

Zhipu's Web Search API on Z.ai costs $0.01 a call, $10 per 1,000, at `POST https://api.z.ai/api/paas/v4/web_search` with the `search-prime` engine. On bigmodel.cn the engines cost 0.01 to 0.05 yuan a call.

SpecStream is the live web data engine for teams and agents. Its Search API costs $5 per 1,000 searches, or $1 with `speed=fast`, a tenth of Z.ai's price, and GLM calls it as a function tool or over MCP.

[Get an API key](https://specstream.ai/signup?src=alternatives-zhipu-web-search&utm_source=alternatives-md&utm_campaign=zhipu-web-search&returnTo=%2Fworkspace%2Fagents%3Ftab%3Dkeys) New accounts get $10 of credit, no card. It covers 10,000 fast searches.

## SpecStream and the Z.ai Web Search API side by side

| | SpecStream | Zhipu (Z.ai) Web Search API |
|---|---|---|
| Price per 1,000 searches | $5 for up to 10 results, or $1 with `speed=fast`. A call that returns no results costs nothing, and `price_usd` in each reply is what it cost | $10: Web Search is $0.01 a use on Z.ai's pricing page, in USD |
| On the mainland platform | The same price in USD from one account and one key | bigmodel.cn: `search_std` 0.01 yuan, `search_pro` 0.03 yuan, `search_pro_sogou` and `search_pro_quark` 0.05 yuan a call |
| Address | `GET` or `POST https://api.specstream.ai/v1/web-search` with the key as a Bearer token | `POST https://api.z.ai/api/paas/v4/web_search` with the key as a Bearer token |
| Results per call | `num` from 1 to 100, and `page` from 1 to 10 for more of the same ranked list | `count` from 1 to 50, default 10 |
| Filters | `site:`, `-site:`, `filetype:`, `after:` and `before:` in `q`, held on every result; `language`, `country` and `safe` | `search_domain_filter` with one whitelist domain, and `search_recency_filter` from `oneDay` to `oneYear` |
| What comes back | `answer` with the page it was read on and its read time, `rows` with the facts asked for, and `sources` with `title`, `url`, `site`, `snippet` and `published`. `passages=true` adds up to about 3,500 characters of page text per source | `search_result[]` with `title`, `content`, `link`, `media`, `icon`, `refer` and `publish_date` |
| Models it works with | Any model: GLM as a function tool, or any MCP client at `https://api.specstream.ai/mcp` | GLM through the `web_search` tool in chat, or the API and its MCP server |
| Reading a page | Extract API: $0.80 per 1,000 pages, up to 20 URLs a call. A page with no text is not charged | Web Reader, a separate tool |
| Published accuracy | 97.9 F-score on all 1,000 official SimpleQA Verified questions (978 correct). 64.0 item F1 and 43.4 row F1 on all 200 official WideSearch tasks. [Scores and method](https://specstream.ai/benchmarks?utm_source=alternatives&utm_campaign=zhipu-web-search) | No accuracy score on its Web Search guide or its pricing page |
| A whole dataset | Deep Search: a request in plain words returns every match on the live web as structured rows at 5¢, 15¢ or $1 a row, under a maximum you approve before it runs | One search per call at $0.01 |

## Why GLM builders choose SpecStream for web search

### The call, before and after

```
# Before: Z.ai Web Search API, $0.01 a call
curl -X POST https://api.z.ai/api/paas/v4/web_search \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $ZAI_API_KEY" -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"search_engine": "search-prime", "search_query": "GLM-5.3 release date", "count": 10, "search_domain_filter": "www.sohu.com"}'

# After: SpecStream Search API, $0.001 a call with speed=fast
curl -G https://api.specstream.ai/v1/web-search \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $SPECSTREAM_API_KEY" \
  --data-urlencode "q=GLM-5.3 release date site:www.sohu.com" \
  -d num=10 -d speed=fast
```

`search_query` becomes `q` and `count` becomes `num`. The domain in `search_domain_filter` goes into the query as `site:`, and `after:` with a date in the query does what `search_recency_filter` does. Your code reads `data.sources[]`: `title` stays, `link` is `url`, `content` is `snippet` (or `excerpt` with `passages=true`), `media` is `site` and `publish_date` is `published`.

### Give GLM SpecStream as a function tool

Z.ai answers OpenAI's SDK at `https://api.z.ai/api/paas/v4/`, and GLM calls functions you define. Define `search_web`, run the SpecStream search when GLM asks for it, and send the results back as a `tool` message. GLM writes its reply from them.

```
import json, os, requests
from openai import OpenAI

glm = OpenAI(api_key=os.environ["ZAI_API_KEY"], base_url="https://api.z.ai/api/paas/v4/")

tools = [{
    "type": "function",
    "function": {
        "name": "search_web",
        "description": "Search the live web. Returns ranked results with title, URL and snippet.",
        "parameters": {"type": "object", "properties": {"q": {"type": "string"}}, "required": ["q"]},
    },
}]

def search(q):
    data = requests.get(
        "https://api.specstream.ai/v1/web-search",
        params={"q": q, "num": 10, "speed": "fast"},
        headers={"Authorization": f"Bearer {os.environ['SPECSTREAM_API_KEY']}"},
        timeout=30,
    ).json()["data"]
    return json.dumps([{"title": s["title"], "url": s["url"], "snippet": s["snippet"]} for s in data["sources"]])

messages = [{"role": "user", "content": "Who is the CEO of Mistral AI?"}]
while True:
    reply = glm.chat.completions.create(model="glm-5.3", messages=messages, tools=tools).choices[0].message
    if not reply.tool_calls:
        break
    messages.append(reply)
    for call in reply.tool_calls:
        messages.append({"role": "tool", "tool_call_id": call.id,
                         "content": search(json.loads(call.function.arguments)["q"])})

print(reply.content)
```

In Cursor, Cherry Studio or any MCP client, add `https://api.specstream.ai/mcp` beside GLM in place of Z.ai's web search server. The [MCP guide](https://specstream.ai/docs/mcp?utm_source=alternatives&utm_campaign=zhipu-web-search) covers each client, and the [Cherry Studio setup](https://specstream.ai/docs/mcp/cherry-studio?utm_source=alternatives&utm_campaign=zhipu-web-search) covers Cherry Studio.

### From $1 per 1,000, a tenth of Z.ai's $10

100,000 searches cost $1,000 on Z.ai at $0.01 a use. On SpecStream they cost $100 with `speed=fast` and $500 on the default search, which adds the answer and the page it was read on. Each reply carries `price_usd`, and the account's request log and usage totals show every call and its price.

### The most accurate web search API in the world

The SpecStream Search API scores a 97.9 F-score on all 1,000 official SimpleQA Verified questions, with 978 correct, and 64.0 item F1 and 43.4 row F1 on all 200 official WideSearch tasks. Scores and method are at [specstream.ai/benchmarks](https://specstream.ai/benchmarks?utm_source=alternatives&utm_campaign=zhipu-web-search).

### Choose which engines your searches reach

A query written in Chinese is searched in Chinese, on the engines that answer Chinese best. `GET /v1/search-engines` lists every engine with the country it is run from, and a key made with `"engine_rule": {"deny": ["CN"]}` never reaches an engine run from China. Set `zero_retention` on a key and no request text and no answer is kept after the reply.

## Other Zhipu web search alternatives

### SpecStream

The live web data engine for teams and agents, and the best alternative to the Z.ai Web Search API. The Search API costs $5 per 1,000 searches, or $1 with `speed=fast`, works with GLM and any other model and scores 97.9 F-score on all 1,000 SimpleQA Verified questions. The Extract API costs $0.80 per 1,000 pages. Deep Search returns every match as structured rows at 5¢, 15¢ or $1 a row.

### Bocha Web Search API

A Chinese search API at `https://api.bochaai.com/v1/web-search`, with `count` from 1 to 50. SpecStream answers Bocha's own call in Bocha's JSON at $1 per 1,000 when you change the base address. [Bocha Web Search API compatible](https://specstream.ai/migrate/bocha?utm_source=alternatives&utm_campaign=zhipu-web-search).

### OpenAI web search tool

A tool on the OpenAI API at $10 per 1,000 calls, plus search content tokens billed at the model's rates. SpecStream costs from $1 per 1,000 searches with no tokens, for any model. [OpenAI web search tool alternative](https://specstream.ai/alternatives/openai-web-search?utm_source=alternatives&utm_campaign=zhipu-web-search).

### Claude web search tool

A server tool on the Claude API at $10 per 1,000 searches, plus standard token costs for the content it brings back. SpecStream returns the results to Claude, GLM or any other model from $1 per 1,000. [Claude web search tool alternative](https://specstream.ai/alternatives/claude-web-search-tool?utm_source=alternatives&utm_campaign=zhipu-web-search).

### xAI web search tool

The `web_search` tool on the xAI API at $5 per 1,000 calls. SpecStream costs from $1 per 1,000 with no tokens billed. [xAI web search tool alternative](https://specstream.ai/alternatives/xai-web-search?utm_source=alternatives&utm_campaign=zhipu-web-search).

## How to switch from the Zhipu web search API

1. Create a key under Agents & API in the workspace, with the `finds:spend` scope and a spending limit. A new account gets $10 of credit, no card, which covers 10,000 fast searches.

2. Run one search to see the reply.

```
curl -G https://api.specstream.ai/v1/web-search \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $SPECSTREAM_API_KEY" \
  --data-urlencode "q=Who is the CEO of Mistral AI?" -d speed=fast
```

3. Replace `client.web_search.web_search(...)` with the call above, mapping the parameters as shown. Or remove the `web_search` tool from your chat request and add the `search_web` function tool.

4. Read `503` with `Retry-After` as busy: wait and send it again. Nothing is charged. The Python and TypeScript SDKs send it again once by themselves when the wait is 10 seconds or less.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does the Zhipu web search API cost?

$0.01 a use on Z.ai, which is $10 per 1,000, on Z.ai's pricing page on November 12, 2026. On bigmodel.cn, `search_std` costs 0.01 yuan a call, `search_pro` 0.03 yuan, and the Sogou and Quark engines 0.05 yuan.

### What is the Z.ai Web Search API endpoint?

`POST https://api.z.ai/api/paas/v4/web_search` with `search_engine` `search-prime` and `search_query`, and the key as a Bearer token. `count` takes 1 to 50 results.

### What is the best alternative to the Zhipu web search API?

SpecStream, from $1 per 1,000 searches, a tenth of Z.ai's $10. Its Search API scores a 97.9 F-score on all 1,000 official SimpleQA Verified questions and works with GLM and any other model.

### Can GLM use SpecStream for web search?

Yes. Define `search_web` as a function tool in your chat request to `https://api.z.ai/api/paas/v4/`, call `GET https://api.specstream.ai/v1/web-search` when GLM asks, and send the results back as a `tool` message. Or add `https://api.specstream.ai/mcp` to your MCP client.

### Does SpecStream search in Chinese?

Yes. A query written in Chinese is searched in Chinese and in that language's country, on the engines that answer it best in Chinese, at the same $5 per 1,000, or $1 with `speed=fast`.

### Does SpecStream have an API?

Yes, three. The Search API is `GET /v1/web-search` at $5 per 1,000 searches of up to 10 results, or $1 with `speed=fast`. The Extract API is `POST /v1/extract` at $0.80 per 1,000 pages. Deep Search takes a request in plain words and returns structured rows.

## Sources

SpecStream wrote this page. Each Z.ai and bigmodel.cn figure comes from Zhipu's own docs, read on November 12, 2026.

- [SpecStream pricing](https://specstream.ai/pricing), read Nov 12, 2026
- [SpecStream for agents](https://specstream.ai/agents.md), read Nov 12, 2026
- [SpecStream benchmarks](https://specstream.ai/benchmarks), read Nov 12, 2026
- [Z.ai pricing](https://docs.z.ai/guides/overview/pricing), read Nov 12, 2026
- [Z.ai Web Search guide](https://docs.z.ai/guides/tools/web-search), read Nov 12, 2026
- [Z.ai Web Search API reference](https://docs.z.ai/api-reference/tools/web-search), read Nov 12, 2026
- [Z.ai OpenAI Python SDK](https://docs.z.ai/guides/develop/openai/python), read Nov 12, 2026
- [Z.ai function calling](https://docs.z.ai/guides/capabilities/function-calling), read Nov 12, 2026
- [bigmodel.cn web search](https://docs.bigmodel.cn/cn/guide/tools/web-search), read Nov 12, 2026
- [Bocha MCP server source](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/BochaAI/bocha-search-mcp/master/src/bocha_search_mcp/server.py), read Nov 12, 2026
- [OpenAI API pricing](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/pricing), read Nov 12, 2026
- [Claude API pricing](https://platform.claude.com/docs/en/about-claude/pricing), read Nov 12, 2026
- [xAI pricing](https://docs.x.ai/developers/pricing), read Nov 12, 2026