For a long time, OpenAI, Meta, and Google seemed to dominate the Artificial Intelligence (AI) market. However, a new player, DeepSeek, has entered the scene, shaking up the industry. The impact has been significant—on January 27, US chipmaker Nvidia’s market cap dropped by over $500 billion, reportedly influenced by DeepSeek’s rapid rise. Even tech mogul Elon Musk took notice, jokingly referring to DeepSeek as “DeepSeeker” on X (formerly Twitter).
The buzz doesn’t stop there as US President Donald Trump also weighed in, calling DeepSeek a ‘wake-up call’ for Silicon Valley.
“Hopefully, the release of DeepSeek AI from a Chinese company should be a wake up call for our industries that we need to be laser-focused on competing to win,” Trump told a Republican congressional retreat.
While Trump and Musk have been vocal about it, and the AI market is buzzing with excitement, for a certain group of individuals, DeepSeek could be a gold mine. The arrival of DeepSeek has sparked curiosity among aspiring coders, as it is an open-source platform that allows them to experiment, modify, and integrate AI models freely. With its cost-effectiveness and powerful coding capabilities, it provides an ideal starting point for developers eager to dive into AI without breaking the bank.
What is DeepSeek?
DeepSeek is a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) company that has recently gained global attention for its cutting-edge AI models, particularly DeepSeek R1. Founded in 2023 by Liang Wenfeng and based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, the company focuses on developing Large Language Models (LLMs) to advance Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and make it widely accessible.
DeepSeek’s AI Assistant has already surpassed ChatGPT to become the top-rated free app on Apple’s App Store in the US.
ChatGPT vs DeepSeek: A look at important parameters
Here’s a comparison of key parameters between ChatGPT and DeepSeek, two of the most talked-about AI tools in the market today.
Features & Functionality: ChatGPT (by OpenAI) supports AI-generated images, multimodal capabilities (like image analysis), tool interactions (e.g., Canvas), and voice-based conversations.DeepSeek is currently limited to text-based responses, making it less versatile in terms of user interaction.
Performance & Web Access: DeepSeek models like V3 and R1 are highly competitive with ChatGPT, excelling in answering technical queries and generating code. Both platforms offer web search integration, ensuring access to updated and accurate information.
Pricing & Accessibility: DeepSeek is completely free, with no query limits—a major advantage over ChatGPT, where advanced features require a paid subscription. ChatGPT offers a free tier but restricts access to premium tools without a subscription.
Open-Source vs. Proprietary Model: DeepSeek operates under an MIT License, allowing developers to modify and integrate its models freely. ChatGPT, on the other hand, follows a closed-source approach, limiting direct developer access.
Development cost: DeepSeek’s development cost was under $6 million, a fraction of OpenAI’s billion-dollar investment in ChatGPT.
4 Key Differences Between DeepSeek and ChatGPT
Here are four key differences between DeepSeek and ChatGPT that aspiring coders should consider when choosing the right AI tool for their needs
Text-Based vs. Multimodal AI: DeepSeek focuses only on text-based responses, while ChatGPT offers AI-generated images, voice interactions, and image analysis. If you’re looking for a more interactive AI, ChatGPT has the edge.
Coding Performance & Web Access: DeepSeek is great for coding—it generates code and answers technical questions well. Both AI models support web search, so you always get updated, relevant programming help.
Open-Source vs Closed Model: DeepSeek is open-source (MIT License), meaning developers can modify and integrate it freely. ChatGPT is proprietary, so you can’t access or tweak its backend.
Lower Development Costs, High Potential: DeepSeek was built for under $6 million, while OpenAI spent billions on ChatGPT. This proves that AI innovation isn’t just for big tech—any coder can create something powerful!
For aspiring coders, DeepSeek presents a unique opportunity to dive into the world of AI development without the heavy financial burden. With its open-source nature, cost-effectiveness, and robust coding capabilities, it provides an accessible platform to experiment, modify, and create. While ChatGPT excels in multimodal capabilities, DeepSeek’s focus on coding and technical queries makes it an excellent choice for developers looking to sharpen their AI skills. With potential for growth, DeepSeek could be the stepping stone for your AI journey.
