ChatGPTvsDeepSeek
Two general assistant tools, the same questions. Every answer comes from the official pages, with the date we checked. Nothing here is ranked.
last check 2026-10-11
ChatGPT
by OpenAI
ChatGPT is OpenAI's chat assistant on the web, desktop and mobile; a beginner might try it for drafting text, asking questions with web search, or asking about an uploaded document or image.
Good for: Writing, Learning, Office work, Research
All ChatGPT factsDeepSeek
by DeepSeek
DeepSeek is an AI chat assistant on the web and in iOS and Android apps; a beginner might try it for questions, writing help, or answers that use its web search function.
Good for: Writing, Learning, Office work, Research
All DeepSeek factsWhere they differ
- AI modelsChatGPT: GPT-6, GPT-6 Pro, GPT-6 Astra, GPT-5.6 Sol, GPT-5.6 Sol Pro, GPT-5.6 LunaDeepSeek: V4 Pro
- PlatformsChatGPT: Web, Desktop app, Mobile appDeepSeek: Web, Mobile app
- AccountChatGPT: Some use possible without signing in (e.g. web search); signing in is needed for other functions, such as changing the language settingDeepSeek: Account required (email or third-party login)
- Used to train AIChatGPT: Used to improve models unless you turn it off, Not used to train models by defaultDeepSeek: Used to improve models unless you turn it off
- How long data is keptChatGPT: Deleted chats are permanently deleted within 30 days, unless de-identified or kept longer for security or legal obligations. Temporary chats may be kept up to 30 days for safetyDeepSeek: Stored in the People's Republic of China. Kept as long as needed to provide the service; no fixed period stated
- Agent modeChatGPT: SupportedDeepSeek: Limited
- Voice conversationChatGPT: SupportedDeepSeek: Limited
Same answer, but for different plans or with different conditions: web search. The table below shows the conditions.
Confirmed for only one of the two so far: file upload, image input, where it is available, usage limits, context window, memory, projects, custom assistants, runs code and analyses data, deep research, connects to. The table below shows which.
Same answer for both: free plan, can switch off training.
Plans and prices
As listed on each official pricing page, in the currency we were shown. No conversion, no rounding.
ChatGPT
- Free Free plan$0.00 / monthshown for United States
- Go Paid, individual$8.00 / monthshown for United States
- Plus Paid, individual$20.00 / monthshown for United States
- Pro Paid, individual$100.00 / monthshown for United States
- Business TeamPrice not confirmed
Through the API: about $0.16 – $52 a month for 30 short chat messages a day, across 8 models. Each model is in the full comparison below.
Plan details and sources for ChatGPTDeepSeek
- Free Free planPrice not confirmed
Through the API: about $0.41 – $1.58 a month for 30 short chat messages a day, across 2 models. Each model is in the full comparison below.
Plan details and sources for DeepSeekFull comparison with sources
| General assistant | ||
| What it is for | ||
| What it is for | ChatGPT is OpenAI's chat assistant on the web, desktop and mobile; a beginner might try it for drafting text, asking questions with web search, or asking about an uploaded document or image. | DeepSeek is an AI chat assistant on the web and in iOS and Android apps; a beginner might try it for questions, writing help, or answers that use its web search function. |
| Good for | ||
| Editor's suggestion |
|
|
| Cost | ||
| Free planA free plan that is not time-limited. Trials are listed separately. |
|
|
| Plans and pricesOriginal currency and billing period. No conversion. |
|
|
| Through the APIPer 1 million tokens, and about what 30 short chat messages a day cost a month. |
|
|
| AI models | ||
| AI modelsThe AI models the official pages name for this product. Line-ups change often, so check the date. |
|
|
| Input and output | ||
| File uploadYou can give it files such as PDFs or documents. |
|
|
| Image inputYou can give it an image to describe or analyse. |
|
|
| Voice conversationTalk to it out loud and hear it answer. |
|
|
| Runs code and analyses dataRuns code to work with numbers, spreadsheets or charts, not only text. |
|
|
| Checking facts | ||
| Web searchIt can search the web while answering. |
|
|
| Deep researchA mode that searches many sources step by step and writes a report with citations. |
|
|
| Workflow | ||
| PlatformsWhere the product is offered: web, desktop app, mobile app, or editor extension. |
|
|
| MemoryRemembers things you told it in earlier chats. |
|
|
| ProjectsGroup chats and files for one piece of work, with their own instructions. |
|
|
| Custom assistantsMake your own assistant with fixed instructions and files, such as GPTs or Gems. |
|
|
| Agent modeCan take actions for you in a browser or on a computer, such as filling in forms. |
|
|
| Connects toApps and services it can read from or work in, as the official pages name them. |
|
|
| Requirements | ||
| AccountWhether you need to sign up before using it. |
|
|
| Where it is availableCountries or regions where the provider says it can be used. |
|
|
| Sources and confidence | ||
| Confidence | Last checked 2026-10-11 Not yet confirmed: Context window | Last checked 2026-10-11 Not yet confirmed: File upload, Image input, Where it is available, Usage limits, Memory, Projects, Custom assistants, Runs code and analyses data, Deep research, Connects to |
What it is for
What it is for
ChatGPT:
ChatGPT is OpenAI's chat assistant on the web, desktop and mobile; a beginner might try it for drafting text, asking questions with web search, or asking about an uploaded document or image.
DeepSeek:
DeepSeek is an AI chat assistant on the web and in iOS and Android apps; a beginner might try it for questions, writing help, or answers that use its web search function.
Editor's suggestion
ChatGPT:
- Editor's suggestion: Try summarising a document you are allowed to share, then check the summary against the original.
- Editor's suggestion: Try a question about something recent, and open the linked sources before relying on the answer.
DeepSeek:
- Editor's suggestion: Try a question about something recent, and open the linked sources before relying on the answer.
Cost
Free plan
A free plan that is not time-limited. Trials are listed separately.
ChatGPT:
- Supportedchatgpt.comchecked 2026-10-10
Free plan
DeepSeek:
- Supporteddeepseek.comchecked 2026-10-10
Free plan
Plans and prices
ChatGPT:
- Free (Free plan)$0.00 / month (shown for United States)
- Go (Paid, individual)$8.00 / month (shown for United States)
- Plus (Paid, individual)$20.00 / month (shown for United States)
- Pro (Paid, individual)$100.00 / month (shown for United States)
- Business (Team)Price not confirmed
- All plan details and sources
DeepSeek:
- Free (Free plan)Price not confirmed
- All plan details and sources
Through the API
Per 1 million tokens, and about what 30 short chat messages a day cost a month.
ChatGPT:
- GPT-6 Luna$0.10 in · $0.50 out · about $0.16 a month
- GPT-5.6 Luna$0.20 in · $1.20 out · about $0.35 a month
- GPT-6.1 Sol$2.00 in · $10.00 out · about $3.12 a month
- GPT-6 Sol$2.00 in · $10.00 out · about $3.12 a month
- GPT-5.6 Terra$2.00 in · $12.00 out · about $3.48 a month
- GPT-5.6 Sol$4.00 in · $20.00 out · about $6.24 a month
- GPT-6 Astra$10.00 in · $50.00 out · about $16 a month
- GPT-5.5 Pro$30.00 in · $180.00 out · about $52 a month
- Official price pageHow we count
DeepSeek:
- DeepSeek-V4.1-Flash$0.30 in · $1.20 out · about $0.41 a month
- DeepSeek-V4-Pro-0813$1.32 in · $3.96 out · about $1.58 a month
- Official price pageHow we count
AI models
AI models
The AI models the official pages name for this product. Line-ups change often, so check the date.
ChatGPT:
- GPT-6, GPT-6 Pro, GPT-6 Astra, GPT-5.6 Sol, GPT-5.6 Sol Pro, GPT-5.6 Lunahelp.openai.comchecked 2026-10-10
DeepSeek:
- V4 Proapi-docs.deepseek.comchecked 2026-10-10
Input and output
File upload
You can give it files such as PDFs or documents.
ChatGPT:
- Supportedhelp.openai.comchecked 2026-10-10
Plans: Go, Plus, Pro, Business · On: Web, Mobile app
- Limitedhelp.openai.comchecked 2026-10-10
Free plan
Free plan: 3 file uploads per day. Audio uploads are not available on Free.
DeepSeek:
- Not yet confirmed
Image input
You can give it an image to describe or analyse.
ChatGPT:
- Supportedhelp.openai.comchecked 2026-10-10
Plans: Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business
DeepSeek:
- Not yet confirmed
Voice conversation
Talk to it out loud and hear it answer.
ChatGPT:
- Supportedhelp.openai.comchecked 2026-10-11
Plan not specified
DeepSeek:
- Limitedcdn.deepseek.comchecked 2026-10-11
Plan not specified
Only evidence is voice input listed in the privacy policy; no voice feature page was found.
Runs code and analyses data
Runs code to work with numbers, spreadsheets or charts, not only text.
ChatGPT:
- Supportedhelp.openai.comchecked 2026-10-11
Plan not specified
DeepSeek:
- Not yet confirmed
Checking facts
Web search
It can search the web while answering.
ChatGPT:
- Supportedhelp.openai.comchecked 2026-10-10
Plans: Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business
DeepSeek:
- Supportedcdn.deepseek.comchecked 2026-10-10
Plan not specified
Deep research
A mode that searches many sources step by step and writes a report with citations.
ChatGPT:
- Supportedhelp.openai.comchecked 2026-10-11
Plan not specified
DeepSeek:
- Not yet confirmed
Workflow
Platforms
Where the product is offered: web, desktop app, mobile app, or editor extension.
ChatGPT:
- Web, Desktop app, Mobile apphelp.openai.comchecked 2026-10-10
DeepSeek:
- Web, Mobile appcdn.deepseek.comchecked 2026-10-10
Memory
Remembers things you told it in earlier chats.
ChatGPT:
- Supportedhelp.openai.comchecked 2026-10-11
Plan not specified
DeepSeek:
- Not yet confirmed
Projects
Group chats and files for one piece of work, with their own instructions.
ChatGPT:
- Supportedhelp.openai.comchecked 2026-10-11
Plan not specified
DeepSeek:
- Not yet confirmed
Custom assistants
Make your own assistant with fixed instructions and files, such as GPTs or Gems.
ChatGPT:
- Limitedhelp.openai.comchecked 2026-10-11
Plans: Free, Go, Plus, Pro
Existing GPTs can still be used; the same page says OpenAI plans to retire custom GPTs and recommends Plugins instead.
- Supportedhelp.openai.comchecked 2026-10-11
Business plan
DeepSeek:
- Not yet confirmed
Agent mode
Can take actions for you in a browser or on a computer, such as filling in forms.
ChatGPT:
- Supportedhelp.openai.comchecked 2026-10-11
Plans: Plus, Pro, Business
DeepSeek:
- Limiteddeepseek.comchecked 2026-10-11
Plan not specified
This is the separate DeepSeek Harness desktop app, in public preview, not the chat app.
Connects to
Apps and services it can read from or work in, as the official pages name them.
ChatGPT:
- Google Drive, Slack, Gmail, GitHub, OneDrive, SharePointhelp.openai.com +1checked 2026-10-11
DeepSeek:
- Not yet confirmed
Requirements
Account
Whether you need to sign up before using it.
ChatGPT:
- Some use possible without signing in (e.g. web search); signing in is needed for other functions, such as changing the language settinghelp.openai.comchecked 2026-10-10
DeepSeek:
- Account required (email or third-party login)cdn.deepseek.comchecked 2026-10-10
Where it is available
Countries or regions where the provider says it can be used.
ChatGPT:
- Available in the countries and territories listed on the official ChatGPT Supported Countries pagehelp.openai.comchecked 2026-10-10
DeepSeek:
- Not yet confirmed
Sources and confidence
Confidence
ChatGPT:
Last checked 2026-10-11
Not yet confirmed: Context window
DeepSeek:
Last checked 2026-10-11
Not yet confirmed: File upload, Image input, Where it is available, Usage limits, Memory, Projects, Custom assistants, Runs code and analyses data, Deep research, Connects to