DeepSeek vs 
OpenAI
Verdict
- OpenAI's flagship leads: GPT-6 Astra at 70.4 vs DeepSeek V4.1 Flash 1017 at 64.0.
- OpenAI has the better model in 3 of 4 price bands.
- OpenAI's fastest ranked model (GPT-5.4 Mini, 255 tok/s) beats DeepSeek's (DeepSeek V4.1 Flash 1017, 195 tok/s).
- DeepSeek publishes more open-weights models (24 vs 3).
- OpenAI ships more often: one model every 22 days against every 37.
Best model per price band
Each provider’s highest-index model below the price ceiling. Purple marks the winner of the band.
| Price band | DeepSeek | OpenAI |
|---|---|---|
| Under $0.50/M | DeepSeek V4 Flash max 59.4$0.175/M | GPT-6 Luna max 60.0$0.200/M |
| Under $2/M | DeepSeek V4.1 Flash 1017 max 64.0$0.525/M | GPT-6 Luna max 60.0$0.200/M |
| Under $10/M | DeepSeek V4.1 Flash 1017 max 64.0$0.525/M | GPT-6.1 Sol max 69.9$4.00/M |
| Any price | DeepSeek V4.1 Flash 1017 max 64.0$0.525/M | GPT-6 Astra max 70.4$20.00/M |
Line-up
| Metric | DeepSeek | OpenAI |
|---|---|---|
| Flagship index | 64.0 | 70.4 |
| Ranked models | 22 | 44 |
| Open-weights models | 24 | 3 |
| Cheapest ranked, $/M | $0.068 | $0.093 |
| Fastest ranked, tok/s | 195 | 255 |
| Release cadence, days | 37 | 22 |
| Last release | 17 Oct 2026 | 29 Sept 2026 |
| Next expected | 8 Nov 2026 – 7 Dec 2026 | 12 Oct 2026 – 29 Oct 2026 |