DeepSeek is a new AI competing with OpenAI, Google, and other tech giants. While much attention has been given to its training and architecture, which require less processing power, users are curious about its practical benefits. Is it better than ChatGPT or Gemini? Is it easy to use? Is it available in Spanish? In this comparison, we’ll answer these and other questions.
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DeepSeek is an AI developed in China by High-Flyer, a company founded in 2015 by three engineers from Zhejiang University. The lead developer is Liang Wenfeng. DeepSeek made its debut in late 2023 with a promising model, but it wasn’t until the release of its R1 version that it gained widespread attention.
In terms of functionality, DeepSeek is quite similar to ChatGPT. Users can access it through a web browser or a mobile app for iOS and Android. The interface is simple, with minimal buttons and shortcuts, keeping the focus on the screen’s content. To get a response, users simply type their query into the dialog box using natural language (prompt).
DeepSeek vs. ChatGPT: One Is Free, One Is Not
The first thing you’ll notice when using DeepSeek is that it requires a user account. Unlike ChatGPT, DeepSeek does not allow anonymous queries, so you’ll need to create an account using your mobile number or a Google account. However, mobile account registration is limited to China, making a Google account the only viable option for users outside the country. Notably, DeepSeek does not support other email services or domains.
Once your account is set up, you’ll find that DeepSeek is completely free to use. This is a significant advantage over OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which offers a paid Plus version for additional features. With DeepSeek, all features are accessible without any subscription or monthly fees, making it a cost-effective alternative for users.
Users can perform web searches, activate the deep thinking feature, recognize text in photos using the camera, or ask DeepSeek to summarize a document. The response time for standard AI functions is relatively short. DeepSeek provides answers to common searches or questions almost instantly, much faster than ChatGPT in many cases. However, response time increases when analyzing documents or using the “deep thinking” feature, which is designed for more complex topics requiring in-depth analysis, such as solving mathematical problems.
One drawback of DeepSeek is its limited proficiency in Spanish, particularly with the deep thinking feature. While it can provide answers in Spanish for web queries, document analyses, or simple questions, detailed analyses are delivered in English. Even if you ask for a translation, DeepSeek performs the analysis in English first and then translates the response into Spanish, which might affect the flow of the interaction.
Another disadvantage is the lack of a voice function in DeepSeek. Users must type their prompts on a phone or computer, which may not be ideal for those seeking a hands-free experience. If you’re looking for something similar to OpenAI’s advanced voice assistant, DeepSeek falls short. In this area, Gemini and ChatGPT currently hold an edge, although DeepSeek could catch up in the future.
Following the release of its R1 version, DeepSeek shared a graph showcasing the results of multiple performance tests. The Chinese-made AI competes directly with OpenAI’s o1 and o1 mini models, achieving scores that are not only close but sometimes even surpass those of OpenAI’s offerings.
In the AIME 2024 and MATH-500 tests, which evaluate mathematical problem-solving abilities, DeepSeek-R1 outperforms OpenAI’s o1 1217 by a small margin. The same is true for the SWE-bench test, which focuses on programming, software design, and debugging tasks. However, OpenAI models tend to perform better in general knowledge, programming algorithms, data structures, and language understanding.
While these test results might not mean much to the average user, there’s an important detail: DeepSeek users do not need to pay to access the high-performance model. In contrast, ChatGPT restricts access to its o1 and o1 mini models unless users pay a monthly subscription of $20.
Which One Is Better Then?
If you’ve reached the end of this article and still can’t decide which AI to choose, don’t worry. Both DeepSeek and ChatGPT are user-friendly and provide a similar overall experience. When it comes to the details, DeepSeek has the edge on cost, as it offers all its features without charging anything. On the other hand, ChatGPT stands out with its advanced voice assistant and integration with popular apps like WhatsApp. So, the choice ultimately depends on what features matter most to you.
OpenAI and Google have the advantage of integrating with popular apps and services we use daily. DeepSeek is likely to do the same in China, but for now, it doesn’t offer extensions for WhatsApp or Google Maps. Additionally, it doesn’t provide a fully Spanish-language experience, as its language model was trained with Mandarin datasets, which remain its strength.
Most people will probably choose ChatGPT because of its seamless integration with mobile devices. However, DeepSeek has made a strong entrance, proving what can be achieved with limited resources and computing power compared to other companies.
If you want to try DeepSeek, you can download it for free from the App Store, Google Play Store, or access it through the web.
