DeepSeek vs 
OpenAI
Verdict
- OpenAI's flagship leads: GPT-6 Astra at 70.6 vs Deepseek v4 Pro at 60.3.
- OpenAI has the better model in 2 of 4 price bands.
- OpenAI's fastest ranked model (GPT-5.4 mini, 218 tok/s) beats DeepSeek's (Deepseek v4 Flash Vision, 119 tok/s).
- DeepSeek publishes more open-weights models (10 vs 4).
- OpenAI ships more often: one model every 26 days against every 84.
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 high 59.3$0.168/M | GPT-5.6 Luna xhigh 59.3$0.450/M |
| Under $2/M | DeepSeek V4 Pro high 60.0$0.548/M | GPT-5.6 Luna xhigh 59.3$0.450/M |
| Under $10/M | DeepSeek V4 Pro high 60.0$0.548/M | GPT-5.6 Sol high 68.0$8.00/M |
| Any price | DeepSeek V4 Pro high 60.0$0.548/M | GPT-6 Astra max 70.6$22.00/M |
Line-up
| Metric | DeepSeek | OpenAI |
|---|---|---|
| Flagship index | 60.3 | 70.6 |
| Ranked models | 14 | 38 |
| Open-weights models | 10 | 4 |
| Cheapest ranked, $/M | $0.068 | $0.085 |
| Fastest ranked, tok/s | 119 | 218 |
| Release cadence, days | 84 | 26 |
| Last release | 21 Aug 2026 | 3 Sept 2026 |
| Next expected | 10 Oct 2026 – 16 Dec 2026 | 18 Sept 2026 – 9 Oct 2026 |