DeepSeek
High-performing open AI chat and API from China — frontier-level reasoning and coding at a fraction of the usual API cost, free to chat.
About DeepSeek
DeepSeek surprised the industry by matching frontier US models on reasoning and coding benchmarks while releasing its models openly and pricing its API far below competitors. The free web and app chat uses the flagship model with strong maths, code and long-document abilities; developers use the API as a drop-in, low-cost engine for apps and agents. Trade-offs to know: service can slow at peak demand, and as a China-based service it is worth reviewing for sensitive or regulated workloads. For everyday writing, coding help and analysis, it is one of the strongest free options available.
Key Capabilities & Features
- Frontier-level reasoning and coding performance
- Free unlimited-feeling chat (rate limits at peak times)
- Extremely low-cost API, OpenAI-compatible format
- Open model weights for self-hosting
- Strong multilingual and long-document handling
DeepSeek Pricing Plans
Pricing Stability & Change History
| Audit Date | Plan Tier | Starting Price | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 2026 Latest Check | Freemium | $0 |
✓ Verified |
Frequently Asked Questions about DeepSeek
Is DeepSeek really free?
A: Yes — the chat app is free, and the API is pay-as-you-go at very low prices.
How does DeepSeek compare to ChatGPT?
A: DeepSeek matches or beats comparable models on many reasoning and coding benchmarks and costs far less via API; ChatGPT offers a broader ecosystem, memory and more polished apps.
Is DeepSeek safe for business data?
A: It is a China-based service; avoid sending regulated or highly sensitive data, and review its terms for your use case.
Does DeepSeek offer any discounts?
A: DeepSeek bills API usage per token with two permanent rates: off-peak rates are half of peak rates. Peak hours are 01:00-04:00 and 06:00-10:00 UTC, Monday to Friday, excluding Chinese public holidays; all other hours (including weekends) are off-peak. (Verified Oct 31, 2026.)
