Comparison of ChatGPT and DeepSeek
- Binh Nguyen
- Mar 12
- 4 min read
Introduction
As someone passionate about technology and especially AI applications, I frequently use AI to search for information, communicate for work, study, and create content. My favorite tool is ChatGPT because of its flexibility, intelligence, and ability to retain information throughout interactions.
However, recently, a new name—DeepSeek—has emerged and caught global attention due to its ability to perform nearly all the tasks of ChatGPT but with a much lower investment. Naturally, with any new product, I always encourage myself to test and experience its strengths and limitations firsthand, forming a clear and well-founded comparison, even if it remains subjective.
Real-World Experience with ChatGPT and DeepSeek
ChatGPT is not open-source and has both free and paid versions. The free version comes with limitations, while DeepSeek is an open-source model that provides all its features for free. However, ChatGPT's advantage lies in its paid version, which includes several valuable additional features.
Key Features of ChatGPT's Paid Version:
Canva: Helps visualize ideas.
Web Search: Allows fact-checking and retrieving information from the internet.
Document Analysis: Assists in reading, understanding, and summarizing content.
Project Management: Organizes data in one place to optimize contextual responses.
Language and User Experience
ChatGPT excels in English and also provides strong support for Vietnamese and Japanese. I have not tested it extensively in other languages, but in terms of fluency, I find that DeepSeek still lacks naturalness, sometimes feeling rigid and overly mechanical.
Cost and Performance
ChatGPT’s pricing is relatively high compared to free alternatives like DeepSeek. ChatGPT offers two options: a free version (GPT-3.5) with basic features and a paid version (GPT-4) at $20 per month, which unlocks enhanced capabilities such as web access, document processing, and faster response times. Because of this, I only subscribe to the paid version when working on projects that require these premium features. Otherwise, I use DeepSeek as a free alternative.
Another important point is response speed. ChatGPT can sometimes be slow, likely due to server overload, which can be frustrating. Meanwhile, I have never encountered similar slowdowns with DeepSeek—its response time has always been stable.
Furthermore, investment levels significantly differ between the two platforms. DeepSeek V3's training cost is estimated at around $5.576 million, whereas OpenAI’s GPT-4 development cost is estimated to exceed $100 million. Additionally, OpenAI reportedly spends millions of dollars daily to maintain ChatGPT, while DeepSeek, being open-source, significantly reduces operational costs.
Detailed Comparison Table
Criteria | ChatGPT | DeepSeek |
Developer | OpenAI | DeepSeek AI (China) |
Language Support | Multilingual, strong in English, good in Vietnamese & Japanese | Excellent in Chinese, supports English |
Main Applications | AI chatbot, content creation, coding, consultation | Text processing, data search, chatbot |
Creativity | Excellent for writing and content creation | Good but less creative than ChatGPT |
Programming Capabilities | Supports multiple programming languages, can handle complex coding | Supports programming but is not as advanced as ChatGPT |
Data Updates | Can access web search if enabled | Integrates search but not as powerful as Google |
AI for Businesses | Offers API, supports multiple integrations | Offers API but primarily targets the Chinese market |
Privacy & Security | Complies with international standards, strong content moderation | May have restrictions due to Chinese regulations |
Practical Search Support | Can update information with web tools | Strong in data retrieval due to AI-powered search focus |
Personal Assistant Capabilities | Suitable for both personal and business use | Focused on search and data analysis |
General Observations
AI is Changing How We Access Information
AI development has revolutionized how we search for and process information. Google Search is no longer the only choice. AI provides fast, accurate, and well-summarized answers from multiple sources. Additionally, AI personalizes content based on users’ needs and search habits, delivering more relevant results than traditional search methods. With its contextual understanding, AI not only helps find information but also provides solutions, analysis, and expert-level advice—something Google Search struggles to match.
I strongly believe that this trend will continue to grow, potentially reducing Google’s dominance in search and significantly impacting its revenue from advertising.
AI’s Potential to Generate Revenue from Product Recommendations
Beyond information retrieval, AI can also provide personalized recommendations, particularly in shopping. I have used AI to get advice on purchasing smartphones, wireless microphones, cameras, and more, receiving highly useful insights.
This highlights how AI-powered tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek can monetize by recommending products that align with users’ needs. For example, AI can analyze users' questions and search behavior to suggest the best-fitting products, acting like a personal consultant. If a user asks for "the best camera for travel," AI can recommend popular models with reviews from multiple sources. Additionally, AI can integrate affiliate marketing links, allowing AI platforms to earn commissions from successful purchases. Since AI directly interacts with users and understands their real-time needs, it provides highly relevant product recommendations, a competitive advantage that Google Search lacks.
Which One Should You Choose: ChatGPT or DeepSeek?
If you are looking for an AI tool strong in content creation, versatile communication, and programming support, ChatGPT is the ideal choice.
If you need a free AI tool, primarily for data search, especially in Chinese, DeepSeek is a viable alternative.
Regardless of which tool you choose, the most important thing is to leverage AI effectively to optimize your work and life! 🚀 With AI’s rapid development, it will become smarter, more personalized, and deeply integrated into various industries, from business and education to healthcare. Staying ahead of the curve and applying AI creatively will help us fully unlock its potential.
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