DeepSeek vs ChatGPT (2026): price, coding, search and privacy
Last verified: Prices and features checked on official pages · how we verify
The short answer
- DeepSeek is free with no paid tier and a 1M-token context, but publishes no usage limits.
- ChatGPT has far more built-in tools — image creation, Codex, deep research, projects — from free to $500/month.
- DeepSeek's privacy policy says personal data is stored in China: avoid it for sensitive or client data.
Choose DeepSeek if…
- You want a strong free model with a 1M-token context.
- You are a developer looking for an OpenAI-compatible API.
- Your conversations contain nothing sensitive.
Choose ChatGPT if…
- You need image creation, voice or a coding agent (Codex).
- You want published plans and limits you can upgrade.
- You do not want your data stored in China, as DeepSeek's policy states.
DeepSeek vs ChatGPT: side by side
| Plans & pricing | DeepSeek | ChatGPT |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | DeepSeek | OpenAI |
| Free plan | YesDeepSeek says the app lets you chat with its models for free. It does not publish usage limits for the free app.source | YesUnlimited text chats with GPT-5.6 Luna (subject to abuse guardrails), with limited uploads, image creation, voice, deep research, memory and Codex access. Free users are limited to 3 file uploads per day.source |
| Paid plans (US, monthly) | No paid consumer plan listed | |
| Models in the app | DeepSeek-V4-Pro (Expert Mode), Instant Mode (DeepSeek V4 Flash series)source | GPT-6.1 Sol, GPT-6 Astra, GPT-6 Sol, GPT-6 Luna, GPT-5.6 Sol, GPT-5.6 Sol Pro, GPT-5.6 Terra, GPT-5.6 Luna, GPT-5 Thinking Minisource |
| Context window | 1M tokensThe DeepSeek-V4 release notes (April 2026) say 1M context is now the default across all official DeepSeek services.source | 54K tokensPlus/Go 'GPT Instant' total context window shown as 54K; Free 27K, Pro 128K. Reasoning context: Go/Plus 256K, Pro 400K, Free varies.source |
| Features | DeepSeek | ChatGPT |
|---|---|---|
| Image upload | Yessource | Yessource |
| Image generation | Not verified | Yessource |
| Voice mode | Yessource | Yessource |
| File upload | Yessource | Yessource |
| Web search | Yessource | Yessource |
| Code execution | Not verified | Yessource |
| Developer API | Yessource | Yessource |
| Mobile apps | Yessource | Yessource |
Plans and models change often. “source” links open the official vendor page used for each fact; confirm there before subscribing.
Which is better? Winner by use case
- PricingDeepSeek
The whole app is free; ChatGPT's paid plans start at $8.
- Long contextDeepSeek
1M tokens by default vs 27K–128K (Instant) on ChatGPT plans.
- CodingChatGPT
Codex on every plan and in-chat Python; DeepSeek wins only for low-cost API use.
- Web searchTie
Both can search the web; ChatGPT adds deep research reports.
- Data privacyChatGPT
DeepSeek stores personal data in China per its policy; ChatGPT Business excludes data from training.
| Use case | Our pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | DeepSeek | The whole app is free; ChatGPT's paid plans start at $8. |
| Long context | DeepSeek | 1M tokens by default vs 27K–128K (Instant) on ChatGPT plans. |
| Coding | ChatGPT | Codex on every plan and in-chat Python; DeepSeek wins only for low-cost API use. |
| Web search | Tie | Both can search the web; ChatGPT adds deep research reports. |
| Data privacy | ChatGPT | DeepSeek stores personal data in China per its policy; ChatGPT Business excludes data from training. |
DeepSeek vs ChatGPT pricing
This is the simplest part of the comparison. DeepSeek’s chat app is free on the web, iOS and Android, and DeepSeek sells no consumer subscription. ChatGPT has a free plan too, then Go at $8/mo, Plus at $20/mo and Pro from $100/mo to $500/mo.
The catch: DeepSeek does not publish limits for its free app, whereas OpenAI lists what each plan includes (for example, 3 file uploads per day on Free). With DeepSeek you get no paid way to raise limits or secure access when demand is high. For developers, DeepSeek’s API is billed per token, separately from the app. See all prices in the AI pricing table.
Models and context
DeepSeek’s app offers two modes: Expert Mode, which runs DeepSeek-V4-Pro, and Instant Mode from the V4 Flash series, plus a DeepThink option. DeepSeek’s release notes state that a 1-million-token context is the default across its official services. ChatGPT’s context depends on the plan: 27K tokens for Instant on Free, 54K on Go and Plus, 128K on Pro, with 256K to 400K in reasoning mode on paid plans. On paper, DeepSeek handles much longer inputs for free.
DeepSeek vs ChatGPT for coding
DeepSeek’s developer API accepts OpenAI- and Anthropic-compatible formats, so existing tools can switch to it by changing the endpoint. In the chat app, the long context helps when pasting large files. ChatGPT, however, includes Codex, a coding agent, on every plan (limited on Free and Go) and runs Python in the chat; we found no official DeepSeek page confirming in-chat code execution. For agent-style coding, ChatGPT is ahead; for cheap API calls, look at DeepSeek.
Web search and sources
Both can search the web: DeepSeek offers a Search option in the chat interface (its privacy policy says third-party APIs provide search), and ChatGPT searches the web and offers deep research reports, limited on the free plan. Neither is a search-first tool like Perplexity; see Perplexity vs ChatGPT if sources are your priority.
Data privacy
DeepSeek’s official privacy policy states that personal data is collected, processed and stored in the People’s Republic of China. For many users and companies, that rules it out for confidential, client or regulated data. OpenAI’s Business plan ($25 per user per month) excludes business data from training by default. On any free consumer plan, avoid sharing sensitive information and review the data settings.
Features beyond chat
ChatGPT is the more complete app: image creation, voice chats, deep research, projects, custom GPTs, scheduled tasks and Codex. DeepSeek focuses on chat and reasoning; it accepts files, photos and voice input according to its privacy policy, but we could not verify image generation on an official page.
Which should you choose?
Choose DeepSeek if you want a capable model with a very long context at no cost and your data is not sensitive. Choose ChatGPT if you need images, a coding agent, published limits or a provider whose policy does not place your data in China. More free options are in our ChatGPT alternatives list.
Frequently asked questions
Is DeepSeek free?
Yes. DeepSeek's chat app on the web, iOS and Android is free, and DeepSeek publishes no paid consumer subscription. It also does not publish usage limits for the free app. Developers pay separately for DeepSeek's API, which is billed per token and accepts OpenAI- and Anthropic-compatible request formats.
Is DeepSeek better than ChatGPT?
It depends on what you value. DeepSeek gives you its flagship model and a 1-million-token context for free, which is hard to beat on price. ChatGPT offers far more built-in tools — image creation, Codex, deep research, projects — and publishes its plans and limits, from free to $8, $20 and up.
Is DeepSeek safe to use?
DeepSeek's official privacy policy states that personal data is collected, processed and stored in the People's Republic of China. That matters for confidential, client or regulated information. For everyday questions you are comfortable sharing, the app works like any chat assistant. OpenAI's business plans exclude your data from training by default.
Can DeepSeek generate images?
We found no official DeepSeek page confirming image generation in the chat app, so our table shows it as not verified. DeepSeek does accept uploaded files and photos, according to its privacy policy. If you need to create images, ChatGPT includes image creation on every plan, limited on Free.