DeepSeek vs OpenAI API: per-token pricing compared
Updated 2026-11-09 · listed A to Z, not ranked
DeepSeek prices by time of day (off-peak is half of peak) and splits input into cache hits and misses. OpenAI uses flat per-token prices with a batch discount.
Listed A to Z from each vendor’s official pricing page on Nov 9, 2026. We do not pick a winner: the right choice depends on your usage.
- Largest model (input / output per 1M tokens)
- deepseek-v4-pro: $1.32 / $3.96 peak; $0.66 / $1.98 off-peak
- Middle models
- –
- Smallest model
- deepseek-flash: $0.30 / $1.20 peak; $0.15 / $0.60 off-peak
- Cached input
- Cache hits $0.003–$0.044
- Discounts
- Off-peak is half of peak
- Largest model (input / output per 1M tokens)
- GPT-6 Astra: $10 in / $50 out
- Middle models
- GPT-6.1 Sol: $2 / $10; GPT-6.1 Terra: $1 / $5
- Smallest model
- GPT-6 Luna: $0.10 / $0.50
- Cached input
- Cached input from $0.01 (Luna) to $1 (Astra)
- Discounts
- Batch 50% off; data residency +10%
How we checked: Prices in USD as shown on each official page on Nov 9, 2026. Listed A to Z, not ranked. Confirm with each provider before you buy.
Notes
DeepSeek’s peak hours are 01:00–04:00 and 06:00–10:00 UTC on weekdays. Full breakdowns: DeepSeek API pricing, OpenAI API pricing.
FAQ
How do DeepSeek and OpenAI API prices compare?
On Nov 9, 2026 deepseek-v4-pro was $1.32 input (cache miss) / $3.96 output per 1M tokens at peak and half that off-peak; GPT-6.1 Sol was $2 / $10 and GPT-6 Luna $0.10 / $0.50.
Sources (official pages, read 2026-11-09)
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