Best forStructured thinking
THE SIMPLE VERSION
What is DeepSeek?
DeepSeek is an AI assistant you can use in normal language. Its current V4-Pro model can answer questions, compare options, work through logical problems, explain code, read uploaded files and search the web. The consumer chat is free; the separate developer API is paid by token usage.
✓ A good fit if you want to…
- Want a capable AI without a monthly fee
- Like structured comparisons and reasoning
- Need help understanding or writing code
– Choose another tool if you…
- Need to discuss private or sensitive information
- Mainly want finished images or designs
- Need every claim backed by a checked source
YOUR FIRST 10 MINUTES
Start in three steps
- 1Open DeepSeek ChatCreate an account and begin with free access.
- 2Give one clear taskAdd your goal, context and criteria.
- 3Check the resultVerify facts, code and source links.
TRY THIS FIRST PROMPT
Compare [option A] and [option B] for [my goal]. Use the same three criteria, explain your assumptions, give a short recommendation and tell me what I should verify.
POPULAR USES
What can it help with?
PLANS
Free or paid?
Free access to DeepSeek on the web and mobile app, with availability and usage limits that can change.
Best for beginners, everyday questions and trying V4-Pro.Pay-as-you-go developer access. The lowest listed rate is for one million cached input tokens during off-peak hours.
Best for developers who want the lower-cost V4 option.Pay-as-you-go access to the stronger V4-Pro model. Uncached input and generated output cost more.
Best for developers who need stronger agent and coding capability.✓Free is enough if…you want to ask questions, compare options, work with files or try DeepSeek on the official web or mobile app.
+Consider paid if…you are a developer adding DeepSeek to software or an AI coding tool. Regular chat users do not need to buy API credit.
*US-dollar API rates checked on 23 August 2026. Prices are per one million tokens, not monthly fees. Cache status, peak hours, model, input and output all change the final cost.
GOOD TO KNOW
Safety and privacy
Check facts and sources
DeepSeek says you should not rely on every output being accurate.
Keep sensitive data out
Do not enter health, ID, financial or other private information.
Review your privacy choices
Manage history and model-training choices in Settings.
STILL CHOOSING?See the important differences side by side.
OFFICIAL EVIDENCE
Sources and freshness
We use official product and help pages for plan, access and privacy claims.
DeepSeek product overviewDeepSeek V4-Pro releaseAPI models and pricingDeepSeek Privacy PolicyDeepSeek Terms of Use
- Product and free access
- API models and pricing
- Privacy and terms