AI brands · Side by side

DeepSeek vs ChatGPT

DeepSeek is made by DeepSeek and ChatGPT is made by OpenAI. We compare the models behind them through their APIs: the current lineup, price per million tokens, context limits and the inputs each one accepts. Prices checked 13 November 2026.

DeepSeek

DeepSeek

Lowest price / 1M tokens
$0.090 in · $0.18 out
Lowest-priced model
DeepSeek V4 Flash 0423
Highest-priced model
DeepSeek V4 Pro 0423 ($1.91 out)
Largest context
1,048,576 tokens
Also accepts
image
Downloadable weights
6 of 6 models
OpenAI

ChatGPT

Lowest price / 1M tokens
$0.10 in · $0.50 out
Lowest-priced model
GPT-6 Luna
Highest-priced model
GPT-6.1 Sol ($10.00 out)
Largest context
1,050,000 tokens
Also accepts
file, image
Downloadable weights
0 of 6 models

The short answer

Through the API, DeepSeek’s lowest-priced current model, DeepSeek V4 Flash 0423, costs $0.090 per million input tokens and $0.18 per million output tokens; ChatGPT’s lowest-priced current model, GPT-6 Luna, costs $0.10 per million input tokens and $0.50 per million output tokens. DeepSeek is the cheaper place to start. At the top end, DeepSeek V4 Pro 0423 costs $1.91 per million output tokens and GPT-6.1 Sol costs $10.00 per million output tokens.

DeepSeek models accept up to 1,048,576 tokens, ChatGPT models accept up to 1,050,000 tokens. The largest limits are about the same. The limit can differ between models in a family, so check the one you plan to use.

Current models, side by side

The newest text models each company lists through the API, with batch and dated snapshot versions left out. Prices are in USD per million tokens.

DeepSeek models

Current DeepSeek models
ModelInput / 1MOutput / 1MContext (tokens)Also acceptsWeights
DeepSeek V4.1 Flash$0.30$1.201,048,576imageDownloadable
DeepSeek V4 Pro 0423$0.96$1.911,048,576Text onlyDownloadable
DeepSeek V4 Flash 0423$0.090$0.181,048,576Text onlyDownloadable
DeepSeek V3.2$0.26$0.38163,840Text onlyDownloadable
DeepSeek V3.1 Terminus$0.27$1.00163,840Text onlyDownloadable
DeepSeek V3.1$0.25$0.95163,840Text onlyDownloadable

ChatGPT models

Current ChatGPT models
ModelInput / 1MOutput / 1MContext (tokens)Also acceptsWeights
GPT-6.1 Terra Pro$1.00$5.001,050,000file, imageAPI only
GPT-6.1 Terra$1.00$5.001,050,000file, imageAPI only
GPT-6.1 Sol Pro$2.00$10.001,050,000file, imageAPI only
GPT-6.1 Sol$2.00$10.001,050,000file, imageAPI only
GPT-6 Luna Pro$0.10$0.501,050,000file, imageAPI only
GPT-6 Luna$0.10$0.501,050,000file, imageAPI only

What those prices mean in practice

The same token budget for each model. These are calculations, not measured workloads; cache discounts, media, tools and extra reasoning are left out.

Lowest-priced model from each

WorkloadDeepSeek V4 Flash 0423GPT-6 Luna
1,000 short requestsPer request: 2,000 input + 500 output tokens$0.27$0.45
100 document summariesPer request: 20,000 input + 1,000 output tokens$0.20$0.25
10 long-document requestsPer request: 300,000 input + 2,000 output tokens$0.27$0.61

Highest-priced model from each

WorkloadDeepSeek V4 Pro 0423GPT-6.1 Sol
1,000 short requestsPer request: 2,000 input + 500 output tokens$2.87$9.00
100 document summariesPer request: 20,000 input + 1,000 output tokens$2.10$5.00
10 long-document requestsPer request: 300,000 input + 2,000 output tokens$2.90$12.30

Estimate = requests × (input tokens × input price + output tokens × output price) ÷ 1,000,000, using long-prompt rates where the provider lists them.

Common questions

Is DeepSeek or ChatGPT cheaper?

Through the API, DeepSeek’s lowest-priced current model, DeepSeek V4 Flash 0423, costs $0.090 per million input tokens and $0.18 per million output tokens; ChatGPT’s lowest-priced current model, GPT-6 Luna, costs $0.10 per million input tokens and $0.50 per million output tokens. DeepSeek is the cheaper place to start. At the top end, DeepSeek V4 Pro 0423 costs $1.91 per million output tokens and GPT-6.1 Sol costs $10.00 per million output tokens.

Which has the bigger context window?

DeepSeek models accept up to 1,048,576 tokens, ChatGPT models accept up to 1,050,000 tokens. The largest limits are about the same. The limit can differ between models in a family, so check the one you plan to use.

Which is better, DeepSeek or ChatGPT?

It depends on the task. This page compares price, limits and supported inputs from each provider’s API listing; it does not score answer quality. Run the same prompts through the models you are considering. The cost tables show what a test run costs.

Is the DeepSeek or ChatGPT subscription the same as the API?

No. The chat apps and their subscriptions are billed separately from the API. The prices on this page are API prices per million tokens, which is what you pay when you build the models into your own application.

Can I run DeepSeek on my own server?

6 of the 6 current DeepSeek models listed here have downloadable weights. ChatGPT is API-only. Large models need several high-memory GPUs, so check the hardware calculator before planning a server.

Planning to run it yourself?

Downloadable weights still need enough GPU memory for the model, the context and every user at once. Check the hardware before you rent a server.

More AI brand comparisons

Model list and prices come from OpenRouter’s public model catalogue, checked 13 November 2026. Prices set by the developer can change without notice; confirm on the provider’s pricing page before you commit.