Alternatives

# Cheaper Llama Alternatives in October 2026

> The strongest lower-cost alternative to Llama as of October 2026 is GLM-5.3-Flash from Z.ai (Zhipu): 4.8 points behind Muse Spark 1.3, 8.4× cheaper per token; open weights. Compared against Muse Spark 1.3, Llama's current top model.
- Canonical page: https://noometry.com/alternatives/llama/cheaper
- Last updated: 2026-10-10
- Title: Cheaper Llama Alternatives (October 2026) | Noometry

The strongest lower-cost alternative to Llama as of October 2026 is GLM-5.3-Flash from Z.ai (Zhipu): 4.8 points behind Muse Spark 1.3, 8.4× cheaper per token; open weights. Compared against Muse Spark 1.3, Llama's current top model.

Last verified October 10, 2026

1.  ## [GLM-5.3-Flash](https://noometry.com/models/glm-5-3-flash) Z.ai (Zhipu)
    
    4.8 points behind Muse Spark 1.3, 8.4× cheaper per token; open weights.
    
    Score 49.6, $0.24 per M tokens blended.[Compare with Muse Spark 1.3](https://noometry.com/compare/glm-5-3-flash-vs-muse-spark-1-3)
    
2.  ## [DeepSeek V4 Flash](https://noometry.com/models/deepseek-v4-flash) DeepSeek
    
    about as strong as Muse Spark 1.3, 7.6× cheaper per token; open weights.
    
    Score 53.6, $0.26 per M tokens blended.[Compare with Muse Spark 1.3](https://noometry.com/compare/deepseek-v4-flash-vs-muse-spark-1-3)
    
3.  ## [GPT-5.6 Luna](https://noometry.com/models/gpt-5-6-luna) OpenAI
    
    about as strong as Muse Spark 1.3, 4.4× cheaper per token.
    
    Score 54.7, $0.45 per M tokens blended.[Compare with Muse Spark 1.3](https://noometry.com/compare/gpt-5-6-luna-vs-muse-spark-1-3)
    
4.  ## [MiMo-V2.6-Pro](https://noometry.com/models/mimo-v2-6-pro) Xiaomi
    
    7.8 points behind Muse Spark 1.3, 3.7× cheaper per token; open weights.
    
    Score 46.7, $0.54 per M tokens blended.[Compare with Muse Spark 1.3](https://noometry.com/compare/mimo-v2-6-pro-vs-muse-spark-1-3)
    
5.  ## [Inkling-Small](https://noometry.com/models/inkling-small) Thinking Machines Lab
    
    7.9 points behind Muse Spark 1.3, 3.1× cheaper per token; open weights.
    
    Score 46.5, $0.64 per M tokens blended.[Compare with Muse Spark 1.3](https://noometry.com/compare/inkling-small-vs-muse-spark-1-3)
    
6.  ## [Kimi K2.5](https://noometry.com/models/kimi-k2-5) Moonshot AI
    
    6.6 points behind Muse Spark 1.3, 2.2× cheaper per token; open weights.
    
    Score 47.8, $0.90 per M tokens blended.[Compare with Muse Spark 1.3](https://noometry.com/compare/kimi-k2-5-vs-muse-spark-1-3)
    
7.  ## [Gemini 3 Flash Preview](https://noometry.com/models/gemini-3-flash-preview) Google
    
    2.1 points behind Muse Spark 1.3, 1.8× cheaper per token.
    
    Score 52.3, $1.13 per M tokens blended.[Compare with Muse Spark 1.3](https://noometry.com/compare/gemini-3-flash-preview-vs-muse-spark-1-3)
    
8.  ## [Qwen3.6 Plus](https://noometry.com/models/qwen3-6-plus) Alibaba (Qwen)
    
    7.1 points behind Muse Spark 1.3, 1.8× cheaper per token.
    
    Score 47.3, $1.13 per M tokens blended.[Compare with Muse Spark 1.3](https://noometry.com/compare/muse-spark-1-3-vs-qwen3-6-plus)
    

More: [All alternatives](https://noometry.com/alternatives/llama), [Open-source](https://noometry.com/alternatives/llama/open-source), [For coding](https://noometry.com/alternatives/llama/coding)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the best alternative to Llama?

The strongest lower-cost alternative to Llama as of October 2026 is GLM-5.3-Flash from Z.ai (Zhipu): 4.8 points behind Muse Spark 1.3, 8.4× cheaper per token; open weights. Compared against Muse Spark 1.3, Llama's current top model.

### How were these alternatives chosen?

Each is the highest-ranked model from a different provider that costs less per token and scores within 8 points, compared on the Noometry Index against Muse Spark 1.3.