ChatGPT vs DeepSeek

Detailed comparison of ChatGPT and DeepSeek. See which tool is best for your specific needs.

ChatGPT logo
ChatGPT

The default AI assistant, backed by the GPT-5.6 model family

Starting atFree
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DeepSeek logo
DeepSeek

Open-weight frontier models at a fraction of closed-model pricing

Starting atFree
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FeatureChatGPTDeepSeek
Starting PriceFreeFree
Free Tier
Context Window1.05M tokens1M tokens
Vision Input
Reasoning Mode
Open Weights
Web Search
API Access
API Access
Top Pros
  • Broadest feature set of any assistant (code execution, files, images, voice, custom GPTs)
  • Largest published context window of the closed flagships at 1.05M tokens
  • Three clearly separated price tiers from $0.20 to $5.00 per 1M input tokens
  • V4 Flash at $0.14 / 1M input is roughly 35x cheaper than the closed flagships
  • MIT-licensed open weights allow self-hosting with no commercial restrictions
  • 1M-token context at open-weight pricing
Main Cons
  • Highest output-token pricing of the mainstream flagships at $30 / 1M on Sol
  • Model tier naming (Sol / Terra / Luna) is harder to reason about than a simple ladder
  • No open-weight route — full vendor lock-in
  • No vision input on the V4 line
  • China-based hosting raises data-residency questions for regulated buyers
  • Thinner enterprise support and SLA story than US vendors
Best For
general assistantcodingresearchteams
cost sensitiveself hostingdevelopershigh volume