DeepSeek vs. ChatGPT: Which is Better? [In-Depth Comparison]

The newly unveiled Chinese chatbot, DeepSeek and ChatGPT are two of the top names in the AI world right now. Both are hugely popular AI models that people can use to learn, create, discover, and make their lives easier, both personally and professionally.

But there are some key differences between DeepSeek and ChatGPT, and it’s important to understand those differences so you know which one to choose. This guide will put DeepSeek R1 and ChatGPT side-by-side to see which tool comes out on top.

TL;DR

If you just want to know which one is best between DeepSeek vs. ChatGPT, here’s the info you need: DeepSeek is better than ChatGPT overall, due to the fact that it’s free to use, while ChatGPT has costly subscription plans, and the fact that DeepSeek does just as well as ChatGPT in key areas like content generation, coding, and research.

The ChatGPT vs. DeepSeek table below shows the core differences between the two:

An Introduction to DeepSeek

DeepSeek is an AI model, created by a Chinese company and launched in January 2025. The latest available model of DeepSeek is called DeepSeek R1, which is based on the same tech used in the previous V3 version. This AI tool famously matches many other leading options, like OpenAI’s o1 model, but doesn’t come with a costly subscription model.

In fact, DeepSeek is 100% free to access and use, with no limitations or restrictions. It was also famously trained and developed for just less than $6 million, a small fraction of the many tens of millions used by American companies, like OpenAI, to train models such as GPT-4. All of this makes DeepSeek a much more cost-efficient and attractive choice to users across the globe.

• Self-reinforced Learning: Thanks to its self-reinforced learning technology, DeepSeek is always getting smarter and more sophisticated, without the need for human-led training.
• Unlimited Prompts: While other AI bots have limitations on how many times you can use them, DeepSeek offers limitless usage.
• Self-Correcting: DeepSeek has the unique ability to correct itself if and when it gets things wrong or “hallucinates” an answer or piece of information.
• Open-Source: DeepSeek is not just free for all, but it’s open-source too, so developers can access and modify the code to suit their own objectives.

An Introduction to ChatGPT

ChatGPT is a generative AI model developed by the American AI company, OpenAI, and first released in late 2022. Its release was a landmark moment, effectively ushering the world into the so-called age of AI, and ChatGPT has since been used by millions of people around the world and has undergone various changes and improvements.

ChatGPT gives users the choice between numerous engines, like GPT-4, GPT-4o, and OpenAI o1. It’s also known for offering a wide range of features and use cases, from coding to generating text and images. However, unlike DeepSeek, it is not free to all, with a range of premium subscription plans available instead.

• GPT Library: With ChatGPT, users can access a whole range of GPT models, like o1, GPT-4, and GPT-4o, and you can switch between them on the fly.
• Create Custom Models: ChatGPT gives users the ability to make their own customized AI models for specific purposes.
• Paid Plans and Features: ChatGPT offers two paid plans that unlock a range of additional features and access to the latest, greatest models.

Key Differences Between ChatGPT vs. DeepSeek

Now that you know the basics of each model, let’s take a closer look at DeepSeek vs. ChatGPT, exploring the areas in which they are similar, while also highlighting some key differences that set each tool apart.

Model architecture

DeepSeek uses a different architectural style to ChatGPT. To be precise, it uses a MoE, or Mixture of Experts approach, which, in simple terms, is like having a whole team of expert specialists on-hand to solve different queries and questions. It identifies the user's needs and then activates the most appropriate subset of its parameters to provide an efficient and accurate reply.

In contrast, ChatGPT uses a more traditional transformer model architecture. When you input a demand or query, it uses all of its data and capacities to solve it, rather than focusing it down to one specific subset or area. This can lead to slower response times.

Performance

Performance-wise, DeepSeek is a cut above almost any AI tool on the market. Especially in regard to its DeepThink mode, which is amazing at solving logic and reasoning problems, and its ability to source and provide real-time info, like news headlines, weather forecasts, etc. It’s lightning fast, too, so you don’t have to wait around to get answers and assistance.

ChatGPT is quick, too, and often delivers instant responses, though can take a little longer when you need something specific or put in a detailed, difficult prompt. It generally performs well and produces good quality output that matches the user’s expectations, but testing shows that DeepSeek’s intelligence and quality metrics often outrank most versions of ChatGPT.

Reliability

In the vast majority of use cases, DeepSeek is proven to be highly reliable. You can ask it to deliver very specific information or carry out precise tasks, and it should do so with a high level of accuracy. It’s great at coding, mathematical equations, and technical tasks, though sometimes it fails to work or shows the server is always busy due to its popularity and high amounts of traffic.

ChatGPT sometimes goes down for maintenance or due to high server loads, also, though is generally quite a reliable tool. It can’t always deliver the most accurate and up-to-date information, but always strives to provide accurate and trustworthy responses to all user queries and requests.

Value

Value is one area in which ChatGPT and DeepSeek have a major difference. ChatGPT has a free plan, but it’s quite limited. You only get access to the more basic models, and you can’t use the tool as much as you want. For unlimited use and full access, you have to sign up to either the Plus or Pro plans, for either $20 or $200 per month.

In contrast, DeepSeek is 100% free. It’s free for everyone, and you can enjoy full, unlimited access and use without having to spend any money at all. This is one of the main selling points of choosing DeepSeek over ChatGPT, and it’s one of the main reasons why so many people opt for DeepSeek.

Features and Capacities

There’s a lot that you can do with both of these tools. In fact, they’re both equally adept at many of the same tasks, like:

• Content generation
• Research
• Coding
• Brainstorming ideas
• Etc.

Of the two, it’s worth noting that DeepSeek is much more customizable. You need to have a certain level of technical expertise to take advantage of that, but if you’re an experienced and skilled user, you can get much more out of DeepSeek than you would with ChatGPT. At the same time, ChatGPT has slightly better sharing and collaboration features than DeepSeek.

DeepSeek vs. ChatGPT: Which Is Best for Different Tasks

Next, we’ll explore how these two tools compare at different tasks to see which one is best for a variety of use cases.

Coding and Technical Tasks

For coding and technical work, DeepSeek is the better tool to use. Many experts and professional users say that it’s the best AI tool available today for working on coding projects, thanks to its speed, efficiency, accessibility, and the fact that it gives you just one simple model to work with, rather than the many variables and model options of ChatGPT.

Content Generation and Writing

For content generation, like making blog posts or articles, both tools are very good. DeepSeek has been shown to be very good at making up stories or creating pieces of content to fit precise layouts and specifications. ChatGPT is good at this, too, and is arguably better at brainstorming ideas or lists, but DeepSeek is good for very precise, tailored content.

Learning and Research

You can get a lot of educational information out of DeepSeek and ChatGPT. In tests, DeepSeek consistently provides users with comprehensive and accurate summaries and pieces of information about a wide range of topics. ChatGPT also does this well, but sometimes adds extraneous, unwanted information that can confuse or overwhelm users.

DeepSeek also has a Web mode which you can use to gather real-time information and data, allowing you to research the most up-to-date facts and info and deepening your understanding of research topics.

Overall: Which Is Best Between ChatGPT and DeepSeek?

Overall, when it comes to DeepSeek vs. ChatGPT, DeepSeek is the winner. Both tools are great in their own ways, and both are worth using if you’re interested in AI and eager to see what it can do, or wish to use it for professional purposes.

But, if you simply want to know which is best, it’s DeepSeek. It’s much better value, since it’s free to use, and it’s also more accessible, customizable, fast, and amazing at technical tasks, too.

Try DeepSeek With No Costs, No Limits on HIX.AI

If you’d like to give DeepSeek a try, you can do so on HIX.AI. HIX.AI is a free and unlimited all-in-one AI chat platform, providing unrestricted access to DeepSeek and other AI models.

DeepSeek R1 has been hailed as a disruptive force in the AI sector, offering performance comparable to leading models at a fraction of the cost.

From answering questions to assisting with professional tasks, DeepSeek R1 is designed to handle a wide range of use cases, making it a valuable tool for both personal and professional applications

Get started today and explore DeepSeek's capabilities without worrying about usage limits or fees.