DeepSeek vs OpenAI Pricing 2026
Published September 15, 2026
DeepSeek and OpenAI are two of the most popular LLM API providers. This side-by-side comparison covers pricing, capabilities, and which one makes sense for your use case.
Pricing Comparison Table
| Provider | Model | Input/M | Output/M | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeepSeek | V4 Flash (off-peak) | $1.58 | $4.75 | Budget tasks |
| DeepSeek | V4 Pro (off-peak) | $1.58 | $4.75 | Reasoning |
| OpenAI | GPT-4o-mini | $0.15 | $0.60 | Simple tasks |
| OpenAI | GPT-4o | $2.50 | $10.00 | General |
| OpenAI | GPT-5 | $5.00 | $20.00 | Advanced |
| OpenAI | GPT-6 Luna | $1.20 | $4.80 | Fast & capable |
| OpenAI | GPT-6 Terra | $12.00 | $48.00 | Complex reasoning |
| AI24X | Flash (managed) | $0.35 | $0.35 | Everyday use |
| AI24X | Pro (managed) | $1.05 | $1.05 | High-value |
Key Differences
- Peak pricing: DeepSeek charges 2x during Beijing peak hours (9:00-23:00 UTC+8). OpenAI has flat pricing.
- Cache hits: DeepSeek offers deep discounts on cache hits ($0.05/M vs $1.58/M). OpenAI does not discount cache.
- Model range: OpenAI offers more model variants (GPT-4o-mini through GPT-6 Terra). DeepSeek has two core models.
- Vision: Both support image understanding.
- Tool calling: Both support function calling.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose DeepSeek if: You can batch requests during off-peak hours, your prompts have high cache hit potential, and you need strong reasoning at a lower price point.
Choose OpenAI if: You need flat predictable pricing, access to the full GPT-6 model range, or prefer US-based infrastructure.
Choose AI24X if: You want both — access DeepSeek and OpenAI models through one API key with managed pricing that saves 71-96% vs official rates.
Related: DeepSeek API Pricing 2026 · How to Use DeepSeek API · LLM API Pricing Comparison · Cheaper Alternative to GPT