DeepSeek vs ChatGPT: Compare cost, customization, and performance. Discover which AI model excels in coding, writing, or research. Learn their strengths and choose the best one for your needs
Key Points
- Research suggests DeepSeek and Grok are both advanced AI models, with DeepSeek being open-source and cost-effective, while Grok offers real-time data access and a unique personality.
- It seems likely that DeepSeek excels in coding and mathematical tasks, while Grok may be better for engaging, real-time conversations.
- The evidence leans toward DeepSeek being more affordable, with training costs significantly lower than Grok, which uses substantial computational resources.
- There is some controversy around Grok’s benchmark claims, with some experts questioning their accuracy, adding complexity to performance comparisons.
Origin and Background
DeepSeek, founded in July 2023 by Liang Wenfen of the Chinese hedge fund High-Flyer, is known for its efficient and cost-effective large language models (LLMs) like DeepSeek-R1, released in January 2025. Grok, launched by xAI (founded by Elon Musk), is a chatbot with a “sense of humor” and real-time access to X, aiming to be “maximally curious” about the universe.
Capabilities and Features
DeepSeek offers open-source LLMs, such as DeepSeek-V3 and DeepSeek-R1, excelling in reasoning, coding, and math. Grok, a mixture-of-experts model, focuses on engaging responses and real-time data from X, with Grok-3 optimized for complex analytical tasks.
Cost and Efficiency
DeepSeek claims training costs, like $6 million for DeepSeek-V3, are much lower than competitors. Grok, backed by Musk’s resources, uses the Colossus supercluster with 100,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs, suggesting higher investment.
Performance and Benchmarks
DeepSeek-R1 performs comparably to top models like GPT-4o in benchmarks, especially in coding and math. Grok-3 claims to outperform rivals in some areas, but there are disputes over benchmark accuracy, adding uncertainty to comparisons.
Survey Note: In-Depth Comparison of DeepSeek and Grok
Introduction
In the fast-paced world of artificial intelligence, DeepSeek and Grok have emerged as two leading models, each with unique strengths and applications. This article provides a detailed comparison to help users understand their differences, performance, and suitability for various tasks as of March 2025.
Origin and Backing
DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company founded in July 2023 by Liang Wenfen, CEO of High-Flyer, a hedge fund, has quickly gained attention for its open-source LLMs. Its flagship model, DeepSeek-R1, released in January 2025, is noted for performance comparable to OpenAI’s GPT-4o and o1 at a fraction of the cost (DeepSeek – Wikipedia). Grok, developed by xAI, founded by Elon Musk, is a chatbot launched in 2023 with a focus on curiosity and real-time access to X, aiming to understand the universe (Grok (chatbot) – Wikipedia).
Model Type and Capabilities
DeepSeek offers models like DeepSeek-V3 and DeepSeek-R1, which are open-source and designed for efficiency in reasoning, coding, and mathematical tasks. DeepSeek-R1 supports a 128K context window and incorporates reasoning capabilities from DeepSeek-R1, making it suitable for complex problem-solving (DeepSeek explained: Everything you need to know). Grok, a mixture-of-experts model, is known for its “rebellious” personality and real-time access to X, with Grok-3 offering advanced reasoning and Big Brain mode for demanding tasks (What is Grok AI? What We Know About Musk’s AI Chatbot).
Cost and Efficiency
DeepSeek stands out for its cost-effectiveness, with claims that DeepSeek-V3 was trained for about $6 million, compared to the $100 million reportedly spent on OpenAI’s GPT-4 in 2023 (DeepSeek – Wikipedia). This efficiency is a significant advantage for users looking for affordable AI solutions. Grok, on the other hand, was trained on xAI’s Colossus supercluster with 100,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs, suggesting a substantial investment, though specific costs are not disclosed (Elon Musk’s Grok 3 is now available, beats ChatGPT in some benchmarks — LLM took 10x more compute to train versus Grok 2).
Openness
DeepSeek’s open-source nature, released under the MIT License, allows for free use, modification, and distribution, fostering a community of developers and researchers (DeepSeek explained: Everything you need to know). This openness is a key differentiator, especially for academic and enterprise applications. Grok, however, is proprietary, with access limited through xAI’s platform, which may restrict transparency and community engagement (Grok | xAI).
Handling of Sensitive Topics
DeepSeek, as a general LLM, likely follows standard safety protocols for sensitive topics, though specific details are not widely publicized. Grok is designed to answer “spicy” questions, reflecting its “rebellious” nature, which could be appealing for users seeking unfiltered responses but may pose risks in certain contexts (What is Grok AI? Is It Worth the Hype?).
Real-time Information
DeepSeek does not mention real-time access to external data, relying on its training data for responses. Grok, with its integration with X, provides up-to-the-minute information, making it suitable for applications requiring current data, such as news updates or trending topics (Announcing Grok | xAI).
Performance
Performance comparisons reveal both strengths and controversies. DeepSeek-R1 is reported to be comparable to or better than GPT-4o and o1 in benchmarks, particularly in coding and mathematics (DeepSeek vs. Grok: Which LLM is Better? | Sapling). Grok-3 claims to outperform rivals in areas like AIME 2025 (scoring 93) and Chatbot Arena (scoring 1402), but there are disputes, with an OpenAI employee accusing xAI of misleading benchmark results (Did xAI lie about Grok 3’s benchmarks? | TechCrunch). User tests suggest DeepSeek excels in structured, verifiable answers, while Grok wins for readability and engagement
Detailed Comparison Table
| Aspect | DeepSeek | Grok |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Chinese, founded by High-Flyer | xAI, founded by Elon Musk |
| Model Type | Open-source LLMs (e.g., DeepSeek-R1) | Proprietary chatbot, mixture-of-experts |
| Cost Efficiency | Trained for ~$6 million (DeepSeek-V3) | High, uses 100,000 Nvidia H100 GPUs |
| Openness | Open-source, MIT License | Proprietary, limited access |
| Sensitive Topics | Standard safety protocols, not specified | “Rebellious,” answers “spicy” questions |
| Real-time Data | No, relies on training data | Yes, via X integration |
| Performance Highlights | Strong in coding, math, benchmarks | Strong in engagement, real-time, disputed benchmarks |
Conclusion
DeepSeek and Grok cater to different needs: DeepSeek is ideal for cost-effective, open-source solutions excelling in technical tasks, while Grok suits applications needing real-time data and engaging interactions. The choice depends on whether you prioritize affordability and community access or proprietary features and up-to-date information. Given the controversies around Grok’s benchmarks, users should approach performance claims with caution and test both models for their specific use cases.