How much does DeepSeek cost?

As of May 2026, DeepSeek offers 2 pricing tiers. A free plan is available.

Does DeepSeek offer a free plan?

As of May 2026, DeepSeek offers a free plan. You can use the free tier indefinitely without a credit card.

What pricing model does DeepSeek use?

As of May 2026, DeepSeek uses a Token-Based pricing model. You pay per token consumed — ideal for variable API workloads.

Are there cheaper alternatives?

Yes. ChatGPT (from $20/mo), Claude (from $20/mo), Google Gemini (from $20/mo) offer lower starting prices in the same category.

What features are included in the DeepSeek free plan?

As of May 2026, DeepSeek offers a free plan with access to core features. Paid tiers unlock advanced functionality and higher usage limits. You can start for free without a credit card.

Home›Tools›Large Language Models›DeepSeek›Pricing

DeepSeek Pricing Plans and Tiers 2026

Q: Is DeepSeek worth the price?

DeepSeek offers 8 features including Open source, Chain-of-thought reasoning, Code generation. With a 4.5/5 rating, most users find good value.

Open-source AI model from China rivaling GPT-4 at a fraction of the cost - shook the AI world in 2025.

Large Language ModelsToken-BasedPrice verified May 14, 2026Free plan ✓

·2 plans · ★ 4.5/5

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Plans Analysis Worth It?Price History Alternatives FAQ

All Plans & Pricing

Free

Best for: You get basic access

✓DeepSeek V3 & R1 access
✓Web & app

Get Started Free →

API

Custom

Best for: Custom pricing for SSO, SLA, dedicated support

✓Pay-per-token
✓$0.14/1M input tokens
✓Cheaper than GPT-4

Contact Sales →

API Token Pricing

DeepSeek V4 Flash

Input: $0.14Output: $0.28per 1M tokens

DeepSeek V4 Pro

Input: $1.74Output: $3.48per 1M tokens

Pricing Analysis

Overview

DeepSeek - Open-source AI model from China rivaling GPT-4 at a fraction of the cost - shook the AI world in 2025. DeepSeek is free to use. While most llm tools start at ~$18/mo, DeepSeek's free tier lets you skip the cost entirely until you need more.

Which Plan Is Right for You?

FreeFREE

You get basic access. Good enough for solo use and evaluation.

APICUSTOM

Custom pricing for SSO, SLA, dedicated support. Always negotiate - ask for pilot pricing if testing with <50 seats, and push for annual discount commitments. Compare enterprise quotes against OpenAI API's equivalent tier.