The cheapest AI models that code well
The most affordable model that still clears a minimum coding quality bar, for teams that pay for every token.
Criteria models with an LLM Stats coding index of 40 or higher, ordered by blended 3:1 price from lowest to highest; ties are broken by coding index.
- 01GLM-5.3Z.ai (Zhipu AI)$2.15USD / M tokens
- 02Claude Sonnet 5.5Anthropic$4.00USD / M tokens
- 03Gemini 4 ArgonGoogle$4.00USD / M tokens
| # | Model | USD / M tokens |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | GLM-5.3Z.ai (Zhipu AI) | |
| 02 | Claude Sonnet 5.5Anthropic | |
| 03 | Gemini 4 ArgonGoogle | |
| 04 | GPT-5.6 TerraOpenAI | |
| 05 | Kimi K3Moonshot AI | |
| 06 | Claude Opus 5.5Anthropic | |
| 07 | GPT-5.6 SolOpenAI | |
| 08 | GPT-6 AstraOpenAI |
How it is calculated
- The indexes (overall, reasoning, coding) are the ones LLM Stats publishes; Codifly does not run these tests.
- Prices are each provider's official standard API prices, without caching or batching.
- The blended price weighs 3 input tokens per output token; cost-benefit divides the overall index by that price.
Which one fits your case?
The top of a ranking is not always the most cost-effective at your volume. Estimate your cost or ask us for a written recommendation.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best AI model for coding on a budget?
GLM-5.3 ($2.15) leads this ranking, followed by Claude Sonnet 5.5 ($4.00) · Gemini 4 Argon ($4.00). Data reviewed on Oct 29, 2026.
Which model in this ranking has the best price-performance?
GLM-5.3: 23.9 LLM Stats index points per dollar, at a blended price of $2.15 per million tokens.
How is this ranking calculated?
models with an LLM Stats coding index of 40 or higher, ordered by blended 3:1 price from lowest to highest; ties are broken by coding index. The indexes (overall, reasoning, coding) are the ones LLM Stats publishes; Codifly does not run these tests. Prices are each provider's official standard API prices, without caching or batching. The blended price weighs 3 input tokens per output token; cost-benefit divides the overall index by that price.
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